Community College
Our lab is dedicated to fostering diversity in science by creating equitable pathways for community college students to engage in academic research.
These institutions serve some of the most diverse and talented students, yet systemic challenges—such as financial barriers, implicit biases, and a lack of research opportunities—prevent many from pursuing science careers.
By hosting community college students for research internships, we aim to break down these barriers, providing meaningful hands-on experiences, mentorship, and support to help them thrive in academic and professional settings.
Dr. Lauren O’Connell is a community college alumna and understands firsthand the challenges community college students face and the transformative impact of access to mentorship and resources. Through research internships for community college students, we strive to build on students’ strengths while offering tools, confidence, and guidance to help them achieve their aspirations. These opportunities reflect our lab’s commitment to broadening participation in science and inspiring the next generation of researchers.
Publications
Delia J, Gaines-Richardson M, Ludington SC, Akbari N, Vasek C, Shaykevich D, O’Connell LA. 2023. Tissue-specific in vivo transformation of plasmid RNA in Neotropical tadpoles using electroporation. PLoS ONE 18(8):e0289361. Article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289361; PMID: 37590232
Butler JM, McKinney J, Ludington SC, Mabogunje M, Baker P, Singh D, Edwards SV, O’Connell LA. 2024. Tadpoles rely on mechanosensory stimuli for communication when visual capabilities are poor. Dev Biol. 514:66-77. preprint DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.05.006; Article DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.05.006; PMID: 38851558
Caty SN, Alvarez-Buylla A, Vasek C, Tapia EE, Martin NA, McLaughlin T, Weber PK, Mayali X, Coloma LA, Morris MM, O'Connell LA. 2025. Alkaloids are associated with increased microbial diversity and metabolic function in poison frogs. Curr Biol 35:187-197. Preprint DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.10.574901v1. Article DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.10.069
