Interview with Undergraduate Researcher

Undergraduate researcher Carly has been on this project since the beginning. Working with undergraduates in the lab is one of the great parts about working in academia and the skills and experiences they gain are valuable as the continue in their careers! Please consider supporting this campaign to help us continue this project Carly is working on!

 

Name: Carly Franklin

Year in School: Sophomore

Major: Microbiology

What interested you in studying biology/microbiology?

Biology was always my favorite subject in high school, and I knew I wanted to major in biology when I went to college. Once I started my first year at IU, I decided to switch to microbiology because it was a branch of biology that interested me the most. I always thought it was fascinating how organisms too small to be seen could still have such a large impact on the world, and I wanted to learn more about them.

Why were you interested in doing research in a lab / in the Newton lab?

After I took my first micro lab, I knew that I wanted to work in a lab. I just enjoyed being in the lab, and it was exciting to be able to apply some of the knowledge I learned in class.

One topic that has always interested me was the interaction between different organisms and how they affected each other. After reading about the Newton Lab, I decided that this was something that I could potentially learn more about while doing research and that the Newton Lab would be a great place to gain more experience that would benefit me later.

What are you thinking of doing in the future with your degree?

I would like to continue to do research and find a career working in a lab.

What's your favorite aspect about research?

It is exciting to be able to discover something / answer a question with work that you do in the lab.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like reading (sci-fi / fantasy novels in particular) and working on various art projects.