ASU student to research greenhouse gases in the Amazon

As one of the world's largest forest ecosystems, the Amazon greatly contributes to changes in greenhouse gasses. ASU undergraduate student Jessica Spring's fellowship with the American Society for Microbiology will help her continue researching how bacteria affect those changes. Photo by: Neil Palmer, Wikimedia Commons

By Jason Krell |
October 13, 2015

The American Society for Microbiology has selected Jessica Spring, a microbiology senior with Arizona State University’s School of Life Sciences, as a recipient of its Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

“This award is an amazing opportunity to not only advance my current research, but also to publish and present my work at the American Society for Microbiology conference,” Spring said.

According to the microbiology society, 94 students submitted applications for the fellowship. Spring is one of 43 recipients. Her research focuses on how bacteria affect carbon and methane production in the Amazon.

Hinsby Cadillo-Quiroz, assistant professor with the school, is Spring’s faculty mentor. Spring currently works as a researcher in his lab through the School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research program.

Spring will receive a $4,000 stipend, a two-year American Society for Microbiology (ASM) membership and funding for travel expenses to an ASM Research Capstone Institute and Microbe Meeting. Spring said she plans to use the stipend to help pay for graduate school applications and visits.