Hook Fellow Taylor Kelley: Study of Antibiotic Resistance at Wild Basin

Taylor Kelley (‘21), St. Edward’s biology junior and Hook Wild Basin Fellow has been busy

looking for antibiotic resistance in microbes found in Wild Basin’s in-stream and near-stream

soil reservoirs. Taylor’s research aims to answer the question, “Does urbanization surrounding

Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve affect the spread of antibiotic resistance?” This research was

inspired by previous scientific studies looking at the impact of urbanization on the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, as well as earlier Hook-supported research at Wild Basin that observed varying levels of fecal coliform in the preserve’s Bee Creek. This research is important because urbanization increases, the threat of the spread of antibiotic resistance also increases. Taylor recently presented the results of her research at the School of Natural Sciences’ Lucian Symposium.

We asked Taylor about her research experience. Here are some of the highlights of that

interview:

WB: What were the high-level results of your study at Wild Basin?

TK: We observed lower levels of antibiotic resistance in stream samples compared to the

surrounding soil. We also observed higher levels of tetracycline resistance in stream sediment on MacConkey agar which selects for gram-negative human associated bacteria.

WB: Did the results of your study surprise you in any way?

TK: We fully expected to find antibiotic resistance in the stream samples, yet we did not. It is

possible that the colony counts from our sample was not high enough, so we hope to collect a second round of samples to analyze.

WB: What were your favorite parts of the research project?

TK: Messing up over and over….. then finally getting it right. When I finally got the collecting

and analysis right, my confidence grew. I also really enjoyed going to WB for the first time.

WB: How do you think this research opportunity has affected your studies and your future?

TK: I was previously determined to spend my gap year (between undergraduate and graduate school) working in the medical area, but now I am leaning more toward getting experience working in the field of microbiology or public health.