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Volume 71, Issue 90,
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
News New prof looking for undergrad help Rebecca Zufall's work looks to bottom of food chain to shed light on genetic diversity by SAMMER NAGRA
Rebecca Zufall, an assistant professor in the department of biology and biochemistry, is one of the newest additions to the University's large staff of scientists. Zufall is creating her own laboratory to research ciliates at UH. She is in the process of ordering machinery and recruiting students for her research work. Unlike many of the research programs offered by professors at UH, Zufall is accepting undergraduate students to her program. "I would like to have one or two undergrads to help me set up the lab. This way they can jumpstart on their own independent research projects," Zufall said. Zufall said she looks for students who show a genuine interest in biology and are curious about the natural world. Zufall received her bachelor's degree at Cornell University and a doctorial degree from Duke University. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship program in microbial biology at Smith College in Northampton, Mass. "I was mentored in college by a woman who was an outstanding scientist and educator. She first got me interested in doing research in evolutionary biology," Zufall said. Her work focuses on ciliates: microbial eukaryotes. These organisms are found in a wide diversity of locations such as freshwater ponds, the bottom of septic tanks and in whale mucus. The tiny creatures are a vital part of the bottom rung of the food chain and are the object of interest of microbiologists because of their unique genome structure. "I am interested in how diversity arises and is maintained; thus, ciliates provide an excellent system for me to study the evolution of diverse forms of genome structure and processing," Zufall said. Zufall prefers to teach and research at a university rather than work in a corporate setting. "Basic research is absolutely necessary to lay the foundation for any applied research. It is what allows us to understand how the natural world works. Also, doing research in an academic setting allows me to mentor the next generation of scientists," Zufall said. She said she is enjoying her position at the University. "I have wonderful colleagues in the biology department,
and have met great students, both graduate and undergraduate. I am also
really impressed with the diversity on campus, both in terms of student
population and academic pursuits."
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