WEST offers high school students hands-on experience in world-class laboratory
Photo courtesy of UArizona and Chris Richards
Three local high school students, one participating in the University of Arizona KEYS (Keep Engaging Youth in Science) program (LINK) and two Steps 2 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program students, worked at WEST Center in the summer 2024. The KEYS student, Erin Ortiz, completed a week of training at the UArizona BIO5 Institute to acquire valuable competencies prior to transitioning to WEST Center on June 10. Steps 2 STEM students, Isabella Suastez and Melanie Gorritz, are participants in Pima County JTED's Biotechnology program. These two students spent 4 weeks at WEST Center beginning June 3, and presented their work at a Steps 2 STEM Research Exhibit on June 28. During their internships, all three students/interns worked under the mentorship of UArizona faculty to gain practical experience and develop a deeper understanding of scientific research.
Experiments in WEST laboratories, summer 2024. Photo courtesy of Melanie Gorritz.
WEST Center interns were first trained in basic laboratory safety procedures and techniques in WEST’s laboratories and then worked cooperatively on a project designed by Dr. Stephanie Boone. Dr. Bianca Chaves provided guidance on the chemistry aspects of their work, while Dr. Kelly Bright, Jon Lehman, and Justin Clark – other faculty and staff at WEST Center – offered direction and education relating to microbiology and virology. Dr. Andrea Achilli, Dr. Tenzin Phakdon and Mervin XuYang Lim were also engaged in support and mentorship.
During their days in WEST labs, the high school students collaborated with each other and with UArizona college students. While the group focused on a single project, each of the three students had different objectives and approaches so that contributions were unique. The two Steps 2 STEM students explored viral characteristics within the project (i.e., MS2 phage and PhiX Phage), while the KEYS program student studied inputs and outcomes with respect to pH.
The overall goal of the students’ research was to explore the efficacy of using more natural microbicidal alternatives in place of harmful ingredients in household cleaning products. Many disinfectants and sanitizers found on the market contain active ingredients such as alcohol, chlorine, and hydrogen peroxide, which can cause irritation and harm to humans and the environment. The high school students focused their efforts on determining which naturally derived antimicrobial compound (e.g., Salicylic acid, Acetic acid, Tartaric acid or plant essential oils like Eugenol, Cinnamaldehyde, Thymol, and Carvacrol) would be the most effective as a surface disinfectant against the viruses MS-2 and PhiX-174.
KEYS intern, Erin Ortiz, presenting findings at research showcase. Photos courtesy of Erin Ortiz.
Each high school student prepared and presented a poster on their experience and research.
Posters developed by each student included:
- “Not Your Everyday Disinfectant” Antiviral Efficacy of Natural Acids and Essential Oils by Melanie Gorritz
- Antiviral Natural Products Used As Surface Disinfectants by Isabella Suastez
- Inactivation of Virus Using Salicylic Acid and Conventional Wastewater Treatment Technologies by Erin Ortiz
Study details can be found in the research posters here.
WEST Center is an active University of Arizona research and educational facility. Many thanks go to the faculty, staff, and students who supported this opportunity for Arizona youth!