#14 From Microbes to Soil: High School Students Explore Agroecology Research at Gaudin Lab

The Mentor | Qing

Qing Zheng is a project scientist at Gaudin lab, currently working on understanding the effects of root functional traits on plant microbial interactions, regulating nitrogen cycling, and nitrogen use efficiency. 

As a scientist specializing in soil-plant-microbe interactions and biogeochemistry, I’m passionate about advancing research that supports soil health, sustainable crop production, and climate change mitigation. Equally important to me is creating opportunities for students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to engage in hands-on scientific research. This summer, I had the pleasure of mentoring two talented high school students, Naithrav Subbiah and Lizbeth Genesis Cardoso, at UC Davis.

Naithrav, a driven student with a deep interest in microbiology, joined our lab to expand his research skills and explore soil microbiology. Lizbeth, who was connected to us through the American Chemical Society’s SEED program, came from a more underserved educational background, where lab opportunities were limited. Providing both students with valuable research experiences has been rewarding. They developed skills in microbial ecology, soil health assessment, and bioinformatics while working on projects like plant-microbe interactions and microbial respiration.

My mission as a mentor extends beyond research. Here in the Gaudin lab, my collogues and I strive to create an inclusive, welcoming environment where students of different backgrounds and experiences feel valued. By promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM, we enrich our scientific community and ensure a broader range of perspectives in the research process.

I am proud of the students’ progress this summer. For Naithrav, it was a chance to deepen his knowledge and refine his goals of becoming a physician-scientist. For Lizbeth, it was an opportunity to develop her skills in ecology, despite previous barriers to STEM opportunities. By fostering a diverse, supportive atmosphere, I believe we are shaping the next generation of scientists, who will go on to make meaningful contributions to their fields.

The mentee | Naithrav

Naithrav Subbiah is a 16-year-old rising senior at Mira Loma High. He has previously participated in other biological programs and internships, fine tuning his laboratory skills before joining the Gaudin lab. He has also competed and won awards in biology competitions at a state and national level. 

The world of microorganisms has been something I have been fascinated with ever since middle school when I was first introduced to science competitions, and it has been something that I have explored since then. This summer, I gained valuable experience working in the Gaudin Lab at UC Davis, an opportunity that has allowed me to further explore research and learn cool new things about soil microbiology and agroecology. 

My first introduction to microbial ecology came through the UC Davis Teen Biotech Challenge, a biology poster competition. Through this, I learned about plant-microbe interactions. I thought it was fascinating how microbes could be harnessed to enhance crops and mitigate issues resulting from climate change, a huge deal for food scarcity. When I found out about the Gaudin Lab, I was excited to see the lab research and I reached out immediately. Although I had doubts as to whether I would be capable of working in a lab, I knew that I had passion and was excited to try a new experience. 

As I walked into the PES Building for the first time around mid-June, I was honestly equally nervous as I was excited to be working in the lab. After that initial feeling however, I realized that there was really nothing to be nervous about because of how supportive the lab environment was and the guidance of Dr. Qing Zheng and various other mentors. This summer I assisted with projects involving plant-microbe interactions, organic nitrogen impacts on plant and soil, and more. I gained skills and techniques relating to agroecology, but I was also able to learn what it's like to be working in a lab, which was important to me because of my goals of being involved with research in undergraduate and graduate school. Some of my favorite techniques that I got to learn include using the microbalance for foil balling soil samples for elemental analysis, microbial cell culturing and working with frozen isolates, and working with the trace gas analyzer for measuring microbial respiration in soil samples. I also got to expand my knowledge on spectrophotometry and statistical analysis. On top of that, I performed extensive literature research on topics like synthetic microbial communities and microbial carbon use efficiency.

Overall, these past 8-9 weeks have been a great learning experience for me, and have played a key role in shaping my interests and career goals. Pursuing research in high school allowed me to understand what undergraduate research can look like, and has given me important research skills that I can utilize later on. My current goal is to become a physician, and pursue an MD-PhD so that I can gain experience in both medicine and research. I would recommend any high schooler remotely interested in science to work in a lab to understand if they are interested in pursuing it further, and to not be afraid to reach out to labs to find opportunities. If you get to work in a lab, it’s important to stay curious, and not be afraid to ask questions. 

I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Qing Zheng and Dr. Niuniu Ji for their amazing mentorship throughout my experience, to Professor Gaudin for being open and willing to host a high schooler, to any other lab members that gave me guidance, as well as the UC Davis Department of Plant Biology for making this possible. 

The mentee | Gen

Lizbeth Genesis Cardoso is a 17-year-old rising high school senior at American Canyon High. This is her second year partnering with the ACS to work at UC Davis. She has previously worked in the entomology and nematology department with the Vannette lab before joining the Gaudin lab.  

I always knew I wanted to be a scientist. Before I even knew the most basic principles of the scientific method, I loved the idea of understanding how and why things happen the way they do. From baking soda-vinegar volcanoes, to dry ice and soapy water, my mind has always been looking for ways to release my inner mad-scientist. But, my opportunities for STEM were rather limited.

The American Chemical Society’s SEED summer internship program, which connected me to UC Davis, has been a life changing experience for me. Before switching high schools, my biology class didn’t even have any lab space to work in. There was simply no opportunity for anything hands-on. Being able to actually perform research, particularly in one of the best research universities in the world, was an opportunity that I can only hope other dedicated teenagers will be able to experience as well. Throughout my future as a scientist, I plan to advocate for students like myself to be able to achieve their goals in the scientific community. 

I started spending my summers in the labs of UC Davis last year with the Vannette lab. There, I worked with microbial communities as they related to floral nectar and hydrogen peroxide levels. By manipulating the floral nectar with glucose oxidase, we altered the hydrogen peroxide content within the floral nectar, influencing the microbial communities present (that we had also inoculated into the nectar). I also had the pleasure of working with some of the loveliest lab mates on Earth, like Leta Landucci, who was my mentor for the 2023 SEED program, and provided consistent instruction, support, and opportunity. This lab was an incredible introduction to lab work that allowed me to further understand what my career would be like in the field of ecology, and I am very grateful to them.  

Now, in the Gaudin lab, I’ve been working on a variety of projects. While studying the soil health of different tomato farms, I worked on foiling soil samples from these croplands to be able test them for the nitrogen and carbon content with Peter Geoghan. In this same project, I measured the respiration rate of microbes present in the soil by measuring the CO2 and H2O levels present in the jars the soil was contained in. With Qing Zheng, I learned about chloroform fumigation extraction and inoculating seeds with bacterial isolates. I also had the opportunity to photograph insects when working with Thomas Fenster, further developing my love for entomology. My appreciation for the variety of projects I've gotten to work on in this lab is unmatched. 

Qing Zheng has been a lovely mentor throughout my stay here at Gaudin. She’s always been attentive and constructive when giving directions and advice. Niuniu Ji has also solidified herself as an incredibly kind, sweet, and hardworking mentor and lab mate to me. I am grateful for everyone at Gaudin Lab for the summer of 2024!