Student to present research at national conference

4/12/2010
By Jonathon Bartczak
Staff Writer

Eta Obeya, University of Wisconsin - Superior biology major, received an invitation to present her research at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research to be held at the University of Montana on April 15, 16 and 17.

The conference is an opportunity for 2,000 undergraduate students to meet peers and faculty from all around the country that are working in similar research fields, learn about how research is conducted in other fields of work, learn about graduate schools and employment opportunities, and to develop their presentation skills.

Obeya, is a senior from Abjua, Nigeria and is studying cellular/molecular biology. She started her research in October of 2008. The project involved exposing E. coli bacteria to low doses of three different antibiotics. Exposing the bacteria to the low doses let the bacteria build up a resistance over different generations.

A real world example of this is when people are given antibiotics and either do not use them correctly or stopping before the prescription has ended.

Obeya says that even though antibiotics are familiar to most, the reason why this project is important is to show people why it is important to use the antibiotics as instructed.

“Antibiotics are something we are all familiar with. Also, most of us know that they are supposed to be taken properly, with respect to the dosage. Some of us may know why. An aspect of this project gives scientific data showing why,” said Obeya

Even though Obeya is graduating at the end of this semester, she says that there is more that can be done with this research.

“A possible area of further research would be to pinpoint exactly how these microbes evolve their resistance and what genes are involved. Unfortunately, I probably will not be able to take part in that as I am graduating this May, but I'm sure Dr. Seelke and some other lucky student will have the pleasure of doing that,” said Obeya.

While she’ll be passing this project on and wrapping up her undergraduate career, there is still more research and studies for Obeya in the future.

"I am interested in attending medical school after graduation. I might also decide to continue doing research on the side if I have the time because I really love what I do," she said.