Wednesday, September 22, 1999

From DNA to oocytes to washing dishes

Many undergraduates help UI scientists in researching such topics as cystic fibrosis.

By Corrie Dosh/The Daily Iowan

RNA, frog oocytes, electrophysiology in the pursuit of a cure for a congenital disease -- it's all in a day's work for UI senior Suneer Jain. Jain, who helps to investigate cystic fibrosis in the laboratory of John Engelhardt, an associate professor of anatomy and cell biology, is one of the 41 undergraduate lab assistants working in research projects being conducted in the department. For the students, working on a lab means a chance to gain valuable experience fighting cancer or diseases. For the researchers, it means extra hands and a chance to pass on knowledge to a new generation of medical researchers.

"We wouldn't survive without undergraduates," said Engelhardt, who works to "understand the ideology of cystic fibrosis" in his lab, located in the Bowen Science Building. There are 10 undergraduates, including Jain, who help conduct research in what Engelhardt describes as a "pretty sophisticated" project involving gene therapy and organ transplants. Many students are hired as part of the work-study program.

Engelhardt, who came to the UI two years ago from Pennsylvania, said he likes the opportunity to expose students to real-life experiences. These experiences usually come after months of general lab duties such as washing dishes. But, the more experience a student has, the more opportunities and responsibility they will have, Engelhardt said.

"You have to put in your time," said Jain, who now runs his own projects for the lab. "It's the best thing you can put on a résumé."

UI senior Dalyz Ochoa does general lab duties for the immunology research conducted in the lab of Thomas Waldschmidt, a professor of pathology. Although her job consists mostly of washing dishes and other menial tasks, Ochoa said, she does not mind the work. "I'm working here because it's science-related, and I want to go to medical school," she said. "I'm also interested in forensic lab work."

UI sophomore Jennifer Carlson has worked in the laboratory of Rebecca Hartley, an assistant professor of anatomy and cell biology, for approximately one year. Although her duties mostly include prep work, she said, the experience helps her in her studies. "It helps when I'm in class, and they're talking about DNA, I understand it," said Carlson, who is majoring in biology. She said she was surprised to be hired without any previous lab experience. "I didn't think that they would let a freshman with no experience work in their lab," Carlson said.

Engelhardt said that compared with other universities, UI undergraduates are very eager to learn and work for research labs, making the work of senior researchers easier. "This is the best institution for quality of undergraduates," he said.

DI reporter Corrie Dosh can be reached at: cldosh@aol.co