Anna Gretzinger wins research awards for study of bacterial biofilms

When Anna Gretzinger started her studies in biological sciences she didn't know she had a passion for research. That all began to change when Anna was a peer mentor for an Introductory Microbiology class being taught by Dr. Higgs, and they happened to have a conversation about the research going on in Dr. Higgs' lab group.

"I was just amazed by the insightful questions Anna asked", said Dr. Higgs, "and I invited her to take part in a research project on bacterial biofilms". Anna hit the ground running - she wrote a research proposal that was funded by the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program.

One year later, Anna has presented her research at the Michigan Branch of the American Society for Microbiology in La Peer, MI, the National Conference on Undergraduate Research at Kennesaw State University, Georgia, and won a best presenter award at the Wayne State Undergraduate Research and Creative Projects conference.

Anna also won the P. Dennis Smith Prize for excellence in undergraduate Genetics research. Anna continues to give back to the Wayne State and Metro Detroit community as a peer mentor, as the president of Research Warriors (a group that helps other students find research opportunities), and as a volunteer homework tutor at the Children's Center in Detroit.

Anna will graduate with her bachelor of science degree in biological sciences in May 2020 and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in life sciences. We're looking forward to hearing of Anna's bright future!