December student features 2013

Matthew Allen-Daniels, Ph.D. candidate, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine  

The American Society for Microbiology has selected Matthew Allen-Daniels as a 2013 award recipient of its ASM Undergraduate Research Capstone Program.

Allen-Daniels was a student in VCU’s Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at the time of his selection. The one-year biomedical PREP program provides recent college graduates from underrepresented groups with a paid, mentored research experience that prepares them for graduate-level training.

Originally from Longview, Texas, Allen-Daniels studies a species of bacteria known as Mycoplasma hominis and its role in pre-term birth. M. hominis is frequently found in the amniotic fluid when women give birth preterm. However, the process that the bacteria uses to ascend the reproductive tract, enter the uterine cavity and invade the gestational sac is unknown.

Under the mentorship of Kimberly K. Jefferson, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and immunology, Matt is trying to identify the molecular factors that contribute to virulence in M. hominis and better understand its role in pre-term birth.

The ASM capstone program seeks to enhance the presentation skills of underrepresented minority students by providing them with resources to transition to disciplinary scientific meetings. Each ASM awardee receives a two-year ASM student membership and up to a $1,500 in travel support to the ASM Capstone Institute and to the 113th ASM General Meeting if their abstract was accepted.

This year, 18 awardees were selected from 32 applications. Those selected must demonstrate superior research project involvement and knowledge, commitment to research and academic achievement. The American Society for Microbiology is the oldest and largest single biological membership organization, with more than 37,000 members worldwide.