The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) recently held its annual symposium for students and faculty in the Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) project.  Hampden-Sydney is one of ~80 schools nationwide in the project in which students isolate and characterize novel bacteriophage from the environment.  Recent graduate Kris Miller ’13 presented his research on developing a quick and easy way to identify the type of bacteriophage identified without the expense of whole genome sequencing:

Kris Miller ’13 and his  HHMI symposium poster

H-SC Assistant Professor and project advisor Mike Wolyniak with Kris Miller ’13

Now in its sixth year, the SEA-PHAGES program has successfully created a national network in which undergraduates can engage in authentic research experiences and develop compelling research questions based on the work of students at other institutions.

Miller presenting his research at the student poster session

Miller receiving his participant certificate and meeting Dr. Graham Hatfull of the University of Pittsburgh, SEA-PHAGES scientific leader, and Dr. David Asai, HHMI Undergraduate Science Education Program Director

The SEA-PHAGES symposium is held at HHMI’s Janelia Farm research facility in Ashburn, Virginia, home to research teams performing cutting edge research on neurobiology and development.

Allen Luck ’11, a laboratory technician at HHMI Janelia Farm with Charles River Laboratories, with Kris Miller ’13