Science Majors Find Success in Their Fields Story and photos by Andrea Medel
Allie Walker, is a senior, biochemistry major with minors in mathematics and chemistry. After graduation, Walker will attend the Harrison School of Pharmacy at Auburn University to obtain a Pharm. D. degree. Upon completion of pharmacy school, Walker desires to work in a hospital/clinical setting with a focus on pediatrics and also compounding medications. Her aspiration is to serve others to the best of her ability. “I was blessed to receive the education I have; therefore, I want to give back to others by using my knowledge to serve others,” said Walker. Currently, Walker is doing her senior capstone project on testing the adaptive resistance of serratia marcescens (gram negative bacteria) against zinc oxide nanoparticles. The research consists of growing cultures of serratia marcescens in a nutrient broth and placing nanoparticles in some of the test tubes. At specific time intervals, Walker uses a spectrophotometer to measure the absorbency level of each test tube. From the
Latasha Corntassel (left), a senior biology major and Allie Walker, a senior biochemistry major, credit Shorter’s science faculty with their success.
The Hawkeye 12
Allie Walker, a senior biochemistry major, uses aseptic technique to inoculate S. marcescens into nutrient broth for the purpose of growing the bacteria.
absorbency measurement, she can get a colony count of the bacteria in each test tube and determine the effect of the zinc oxide nanoparticles. According to Walker, she chose this particular experiment for her research because “I have a fascination with bacteria and health.” Through this research, she hopes to learn more about the resistance of bacteria, as well as the ability to use other products besides antibiotics to combat the resistance of bacteria. Walker is especially grateful to the faculty members at Shorter who have guided her to this point in her college career. According to Walker, the faculty in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, in particular, have helped her to overcome all the challenges, personal doubts, and anxieties she experienced. In particular, Walker relied on Dr. Clint Helms, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics,
