10.12.04

Jessica Martin

Chemistry major wins award in STAR program

Erskine College senior Jessica Martin of Gainesville, Ga., worked in a laboratory this past summer as a participant in the STAR (Student Training And Research) program at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG), and although she is still unsure about her career and graduate school plans, she says the experience was worthwhile.

"Before the summer I was pretty much set against going to grad school and now that's what I am leaning toward," said Martin, a chemistry major and member of the cross-country team.

Erskine Professor of Chemistry Dr. Howard Thomas received information about the STAR program and told Martin, "I immediately thought of you." Both Thomas and Assistant Professor of Chemistry Rachel Smith wrote recommendations for Martin's application.

"The STAR program is designed to introduce talented and motivated undergraduate students to the exciting field of biomedical research so they can see for themselves, based on personal experience, if this is the best career path for them," said Dr. Patricia Cameron, assistant dean of the School of Graduate Studies and director of undergraduate research programs at MCG.

Martin's work in the STAR program was enough to earn her an award. Her selection as the summer program's outstanding student was based in part on "a well-designed and interesting project, good results, and her presentation of the material," according to Dr. Darren D. Browning, assistant professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology at MCG.

Browning said there is "a rather steep learning curve" associated with getting undergraduates up to speed, but he sees the STAR program as a great opportunity for them. "I wish it could have been around when I was a student," he said.

Now, from his perspective as a medical school professor, Browning said the chance to work with undergraduates is rewarding, although it does require a lot of time and energy. "I personally enjoy turning on lights for students at that level on a one-on-one basis, something I don't get lecturing to 200 medical students," he said.

Martin was placed in Browning's lab, where a group under his supervision was beginning work on a project.

"I looked at an enzyme that was potentially involved in colon cancer," she said. "I had certain responsibilities — some mornings I had to get there really early and I was there some evenings and weekends."

Martin said Cameron "checked in with everybody, made sure that we were all taken care of and had everything we needed."  Once in the lab, however, it was a different story. "Nobody was holding my hand,” Martin said. “They would show me a procedure and then say, ‘Go do it.’" The balance between supervision and independence paid off for Martin.

"I grew while I was there," she said. "I feel like I have more confidence in the lab now."

In addition to her lab duties, Martin attended workshops that exposed her to other faculty members as well as various lab equipment and techniques.

"Most workshops are interactive and provide a relaxed atmosphere for lively discussion with graduate students and faculty," Cameron said.

Back on her home campus, Martin is working with Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Chrystal Bruce in senior seminar.

"Her STAR participation certainly has made her very well prepared for her seminar," Bruce said. "Her final presentation at the Medical College of Georgia won her an award there, so she is in very good shape for preparing a longer presentation."

Browning said of Martin's STAR award, "I would say that the project design was about 50 percent and Jessica's dedication 50 percent.

"Jessica worked consistently and diligently, which got her the results," he said. "She also was quick to understand the material and to integrate with others in the laboratory."

"I think even though the techniques in the lab were very different, the things I have learned here at Erskine had an impact and maybe I caught on quicker because of the labs here," Martin said.

"I have noticed that Jessica's experience this summer has really focused her to gain a thorough understanding of the information she is learning in my biochemistry class," Smith said. "Jessica has always been highly motivated — so much that she runs cross country in spite of being in pain due to injury — but I see that her experience in the STAR program this summer has given her extra drive."

Martin's 10 weeks in the program were over before the project with Browning's group was complete. "We made a lot of progress, but it wasn't finished yet," she said. "It was actually hard to leave knowing the work was not finished, but he has kept me updated." She said her name will appear on a paper about the project when it is published.

The STAR award Martin received, which includes a framed certificate and a cash award, is sponsored by an alumnus of MCG who “believes that the STAR program is a valuable way for energetic young people to experience the excitement of research in a safe way, while learning if that world is calling them,” Cameron said.

In presenting the prize, Cameron noted that Browning, who nominated Martin for the award, considered the undergraduate "an integral part of his laboratory research team."

"Her research talents and accomplishments were apparent in her well-written paper and polished, professional oral presentation," Cameron said. "Faced with the challenges of biomedical research Jessica rose to accomplish the task at hand — at the intellectual level and at the level of the bench work."

 Now Martin ponders the challenges of her future and reflects on the friendships and science experience she gained at the Medical College of Georgia.

 While in the STAR program, she stayed with a medical student, a friend who was the only person she knew at first, until "one of the technicians took me under her wing," she said, adding, "If I hadn't been in that lab and met her, my experience could have been totally different — she took me to church with her and introduced me to all her friends."

Having worked and socialized with graduate students at MCG, Martin is thinking about life after commencement. "All their research (at MCG) is medically related, but I don't actually want to go to medical school," she said. "I am considering going to graduate school at MCG. I really enjoy a challenge and I think grad school would definitely be a challenge."

And if graduate school is what she chooses, what will follow? "I think one reason why I can't commit yet is that I don't know what I would do when I finish," Martin said. "I am playing around with the idea of teaching on a college level."

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