Hope Barber

Biomedical Science student with a strong interest in health, fitness, and research. I've worked in a variety of roles ranging from personal training and physical therapy assistance to tutoring and pet care, which have taught me how to connect with people, adapt quickly, and communicate clearly. I also have hands-on experience in lab research and love learning new skills. I'm passionate about helping others do and feel their best, whether that’s through education, movement, or medical care, and I'm excited to keep growing in the healthcare field.

I completed microbiology research with a focus on the genetic and cellular characterization of bacterial symbionts using Vibrio fischeri and the Hawaiian bobtail squid. I used bioinformatic analysis to create gene synteny maps of known V. fischeri strains found in the Hawaiian bobtail squid, then analyzed genetic differences in immunity and effector proteins that could affect function. I completed co-incubation assays, performing direct competitions between strains to analyze their ability to survive against other strains and therefore further determine how multiple strains of the same bacterium can colonize the same host, considering they fill the same niche. This process involved conjugating the strain with a fluorescent E. coli plasmid, setting up the co-incubation assay, using a fluorescent microscope to capture images of the spots after incubation, and using Fiji to analyze the survival between strains. I created a poster displaying my research and presented it at an SU Research Conference. I also constructed a table to be used in my faculty mentor's upcoming research paper.

• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• CPR/AED Certified