Mitchell takes part in Science Grant
Mitchell Community College is partnering with UNC-Charlotte (UNCC) on a new National Science Foundation grant. The project will explore the link between toxin evolution of a venomous animal and its prey.
For the past two years, biology students at Mitchell have been identifying insects on campus using “DNA barcoding,” a molecular technique that can be done in the laboratory to identify a species based on a certain gene. Students will soon have the opportunity to further their training as scientists as they work in collaboration with researchers studying venomous animals such as cnidarians, scorpions and snakes.
The Science Department at Mitchell Community College will partner with Dr. Adam Reitzel, biology professor at UNCC and principal investigator, and his graduate students to design in-depth lab modules to train students in biotechnology techniques related to the study of these toxins. Select students from Mitchell will also have the opportunity to apply for paid summer internships to work in Dr. Reitzel’s lab at UNCC.
Parks Collins, Mitchell Biology instructor and lead collaborator with Dr. Reitzel, stresses the importance of science at the community college level. “Community colleges do a really good job of training students for other professions, but we have often failed to train science students the same way. As a result, students rarely, if ever, have the opportunity to conduct original scientific research.” Collins hopes this opportunity is the first of many for Mitchell students. “Fortunately, we have really good science faculty members at Mitchell that see the importance in allowing science students to actually do science. This partnership with UNCC will allow our students to learn biology by participating in several exciting research projects.”
Learn more about how you can take part in scientific research at Mitchell and excel at your goals! Discover degrees and programs Mitchell offers then find out how to apply. For additional support, speak to a counselor at (704) 878-3242 or counseling@mitchellcc.edu.