Constantine N Zariphes

For a few months, I worked in a molecular biology lab under Professor Peter McKenney (mckenney@binghamton.edu). We researched antimicrobial-resistant bacteria found on food, specifically grocery store organic spinach. These bacteria can infect humans and pose a challenge to clinicians because they are drug-resistant. This also means they may become nosocomial. We isolated a specific antimicrobial-resistant gene from the genome of a bacterium of interest that was isolated from spinach. We compared our bacteria's genotype and phenotype in a metagenomic analysis of organic spinach bacteria to quantify the presence of our gene of interest.

The workflow is outlined here:

1. Cultured antibiotic-resistant bacteria from organic spinach on antibiotic-containing agar.

2. Amplified antimicrobial genes (i.e. sul, amp) and some 16S ribosome subunit genes found in organic spinach.

3. Investigated a bacterial species of interest (P. fluorescens of Pseudomonadaceae) associated with a 16S PCR read.

4. Designed primers using NCBI Primer-BLAST and attempted to amplify the gene of interest (folP with sul acquisition) that could be present in our bacteria of interest.

5. Performed a metagenomic screen with qPCR to assess the overall antimicrobial-resistant genotypes of bacteria in our organic spinach.

6. Compared the phenotype and genotype of our gene of interest to a population-level genotype (from qPCR) of the organic spinach.

Under Professor Jonathan Schmitkons (jschmitk@binghamton.edu), I participated in intense research on an outdoor site near the Binghamton campus to examine how pollution from a roadway influenced the chemistry and microbial environment of the soil, water, and groundwater. We wanted to know how the area was affected by runoff from road salting during winter months. We hoped to connect trends in biogeochemistry to the discovery of halophytes, or other unusual microbes that may be a result of pollution. Whereas most undergraduate research is dictated by a professor, ours was mostly convened by me and four students.

The workflow is outlined here:

1. Installed wells/piezometers to sample groundwater.

2. Determined the initial physical and chemical attributes of various sites (TDS, salinity/conductivity, pH, alkalinity). We used multimeter probes, ion chromatography, and titrated samples.

3. Sampled surface water and groundwater: continued to monitor the physical attributes and chemistry over time; purified eDNA and performed metagenomic analysis via PCR and gel electrophoresis of the 16S ribosomal subunit.

4. Used third-generation sequencing to screen our eDNA samples to identify microbes that may be associated with calcium salt pollution.

During the summer of 2022, I worked at Lowe's Home Improvement as a Sales Associate for the outdoor gardens section.

Responsibilities:

• Assisting customers in finding a suitable product
• Inventory management
• Lifting and loading heavy items for customers
• Communicating with other departments of the store
• Keeping the outdoor space clean

I was a file clerk at Heritage Internal Medicine Associates during the summer of 2018. I continue to work there per diem.

Employer: Dr. Marjorie Garrett (CT_garretts@yahoo.com)

My responsibilities:

• Organizing patient charts
• Retrieving or storing patient charts
• Retrieving information from charts
• Checking for a physician's signature
• Working with confidential information and following HIPPA guidelines