Eastern Connecticut State University biology professor Jonathan Hulvey involved his students in an event on April 21 aimed at educating Norwich Free Academy students about antibiotic resistance and encouraging interest in science careers. The event, called Tiny Earth Day, was held in the Dr. David G. Carter Science Building and is part of a global crowdsourcing initiative known as the Tiny Earth Network.
The initiative seeks to address the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant infections by involving educators and students worldwide in research to discover new antibiotics. Hulvey said, “The focus here is the students and their research.” He emphasized that Tiny Earth aims to inspire and retain science students while responding to what he described as a “desperate need” for new antibiotics.
Hulvey explained that antibiotic-resistant infections kill more than 35,000 Americans each year, highlighting why such research is necessary. “It’s not as profitable for pharmaceutical companies to develop new antibiotics” compared with drugs for chronic illnesses, he said.
During the event, Eastern microbiology students led lab demonstrations for Norwich Free Academy participants, showing them how to operate laboratory equipment and test bacteria samples for antibiotic production. Presentations followed from four Eastern undergraduates and alumnus Stefanos Stravoravdis, now a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Topics included research on microbiology’s role in developing vaccines and drugs (Madison Meagher), studies on parasitic mold found on mushrooms (Ethan Campbell), genetics of zombie cicada fungus (Emily Dunlea), and evidence of specific bacteria in brain function (Isabelle McClelland).
Hulvey also acknowledged biology professor Barbara Murdoch for introducing him to Tiny Earth methods used since 2019 in collaboration with professor Matt Graham on scorpion venom microbiome studies.
The ECSU Department of Environmental Earth Science serves as an academic unit within Eastern Connecticut State University and uses the Science Building for faculty offices and operations; it highlights geoscience’s relevance through educational programs that include classroom, lab, field experiences, as well as research into ancient climates using Jurassic rocks from the Connecticut Valley according to the official website.
