Nicholas is a senior graduate student working towards a PhD. in Microbiology in the McKinlay lab. His research focuses on understanding the basic physiology and metabolism of bacterial species with potential for industrial applications. After graduating, he plans on pursuing a career in industry with the goal of sustainably producing value-added products through bioprocessing.

Brittany is a graduate student in the McKinlay lab and studies how an evolved nutrient metabolism integrates into the existing host physiology and the broader metabolic network of their community. During the summer, she mentors high school teachers in approachable microbiology modules to take into their classrooms in hopes of inspiring the next generation of students to pursue careers in microbiology. Brittany’s future goals include a post-doctoral fellowship focused on astrobiology or space biology.

Olivia is a 5th-year graduate student in the McKinlay lab studying how spatial structure promotes gene loss in microbial communities.