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Student Stories: Jeff Burnett

Jeff Burnett balances research, volunteer service, and family life…

In the process of completing a double major (BRR and Microbiology), Jeff Burnett worked on three microbiology-related research projects in the laboratory of Dr. Dan Rockey, OSU Biomedical Sciences Department. Chlamydia micrographBurnett was awarded summer research grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2) and the American Society of Microbiology. He gave scientific presentations at the Northwest Undergraduate Research Symposium (Oregon Health Sciences University) and the American Society of Microbiology General Meeting (Orlando), and with his research group is a co-author on a publication in the prestigious Journal of Bacteriology of the complete genome sequence of the bacterium Renibchlamydia genomicsacterium salmoninarum..

Jeff’s thesis research involved a comparative analysis of gene sequences from different strains of R. salmoninarum, in order to test hypotheses about how this fish pathogen evolved.

With such research accolades, you might think Jeff only had time for science. Untrue! Jeff leads a balanced life as a devoted family member and a well-known community volunteer. He has completed a study abroad in Morelia, Mexico working as a health clinic intern providing patient care services; served as President of the Red Cross OSU Blood Drive AssociLogan Burnettation; was a SCUBA divemaster, volunteer high-school wrestling coach, Red Cross CPR instructor, and volunteer Spanish translator for Community Outreach Medical Clinic. In addition, Jeff and his wife have adopted two babies, one from Central America.

Where is Jeff now?  He has just moved with his family to Bethesda, Maryland, to join the Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Program at the National Institutes of Health.

 

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Jeehye Lee received a scholarship and award for study in Korea and Japan... Julie Ream's research takes her canoeing down the Clackamas River... After returning from Alaska and New Zealand, Kendall Dutcher was recognized for her leadership... Nikki Marshall’s research with invasive weed seeds led to work in environmental restoration and organic farming… While preparing for medical school, Pachida Lo kept her Hmong community in mind...
Ryan Scholz won a national award for superior achievement in natural resources-based research... BRR student Vananh Nguyen was invited to attend US presidential inauguration...