Story and photos by Logan Jackson
- Cole Brodeur – junior biochemistry major
- Research Mentor: Clarissa Durie, assistant professor of biochemistry
When Cole Brodeur arrived at Mizzou two years ago, he knew that research was going to play a major role in his college journey.
“I came to campus wanting to get involved in research,” Brodeur said. “I had a biology teacher in high school who really inspired me to pursue a career in science. She was very passionate, and I quickly developed an interest in science and research.”
Eager to get involved right away, Brodeur, a biochemistry major, took the Honors College’s Intro to STEM Research course (GN_HON 2453H) during his first semester on campus. That class provides early undergraduate students with an opportunity to prepare for future independent research experiences. For Brodeur, now a junior, the course did just that. It also connected him with Clarissa Durie, an assistant professor of biochemistry in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
“That class was awesome,” Brodeur said. “I had done a little bit of research in high school, but the course allowed me to develop important skills that I knew I would be using in a research lab.”
Brodeur has been working in Durie’s lab since the course ended, gaining valuable insight into the entire research process. His hard work has paid off, too. This past spring he was one of four Honors students to receive the Senator Wayne Goode Scholarship. Students are selected for the award based on their involvement in undergraduate research through the Honors College.
This summer, he’s taking the next step in his research journey as one of 14 students selected for Cherng Summer Scholars program. The program, supported by a gift from Peggy and Andrew Cherng, is a nine-week research or creative scholarship program for Mizzou students pursuing the Honors Certificate. The program allows students to participate in individually designed projects under the mentorship of a Mizzou faculty member. Students also take part in a weekly seminar course and present their research findings during Mizzou Office of Undergraduate Research’s Summer Forum.
“This experience has provided me with so much,” Brodeur said. “I’ve been given independence with my project, which is invaluable. I’ve also gained experience with experimental design and learned important techniques.
“I’ve also been able to learn about other fields through the program, which has been eye-opening. I’ve really enjoyed hearing about the other projects and being introduced to research outside of STEM.”
Durie’s lab studies bacterial secretion systems, which are large protein structures that transport molecules into or out of bacterial cells, enabling bacteria to interact with their environment and carry out important functions.
Brodeur has spent the summer investigating the structure of a protein involved in one specific secretion system in the bacterium Legionella pneumophila, which causes a type of pneumonia.
“It’s a very unique system in this subfield,” Brodeur said. “It’s really interesting. For my project, I got a sample of this protein and collected image data. Right now, I’m processing that data to try to get a reconstruction.”
As he continues analyzing the data, Brodeur said the experience will prepare him for graduate school and a career in research.