Mae Kennedy ’23, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Mae Kennedy ’23

Major

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Project Title

Investigating Trace-Gas Uptake in Chilean High Andes Soil Microbe Communities

Presentation Link

View Mae's Presentation

Certificate(s): Neuroscience

I investigated carbon monoxide uptake in soil microbes located near the Polloquere Hot Spring in northern Chile. I examined soil samples from our site in Chile for the correlation between gas-uptake data and the presence of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) enzymes, which are indicative of gas metabolisms. I used bioinformatics programs to search for CODH and compared the relative abundance of the major subgroups of CODH (i.e., Types I and II). Relating these results to gas-uptake data, I found that the functionally uncharacterized Type II-classified genes commonly represent a significant majority over Type I, despite the latter’s sequences being historically associated with soil carbon monoxide uptake. My findings were fruitful in the progression of this project and I gained excellent insight into the world of bioinformatics research. I also became more aware of the intriguing interconnectedness of our planet — how the smallest organisms can have significant impacts on the biosphere. My work considerably opened my sights to the extent of opportunities available to me as an environmental scientist.