The Smith Lab hosted Alwyn Ecker (MGM) and Marco Gontijo (MGM) for the Fall rotation. Alwyn worked with Dr. Kaley Wilburn to explore host genetics in a TB susceptible Collaborative Cross genotype and knockout strain. Marco worked with Dr. Oyinda Adefisayo to investigate bacterial polyketide synthase variability amongst Mycobacterial strains. During the rotation, they also worked with Rachel Meade to learn QTL mapping in R and undertook the Regional Biosafety Laboratory (RBL) high containment biosafety bootcamp for work at BSL3. In addition to their individual projects, Marco and Alwyn also jumped into help ongoing lab projects with macrophages and aerosol infections – outstanding work!
