My Experiences as a Tiny Earthling by Monica E.

Potential Antibiotic Producers Isolates in Week 6 of the Tiny Earth Project in Spring 2025 BIO 145

The overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics in clinical and agricultural settings has influenced the emergence of bacterial pathogens resistant to most antibiotics. Common medical procedures, including cancer treatments, cesarean sections, and joint replacements, will become almost impossible without severe repercussions.  The Infectious Disease Society of America now recognizes the ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus species) as bacteria posing the most significant risk to public health. The goals of Tiny Earth are to inspire and retain college students in the sciences while also tackling critical global health challenges, such as the rapid decline in soil health, the diminishing supply of effective antibiotics, and a need for more scientists in the workforce.

I chose to share my experience as a scientist with the Tiny Earth project because it was fun to see how soil microbes interact.

The excitement from watching my isolates do “their thing” or the disappointment from a negative result while conducting biochemical assays was a thrilling learning experience. Participating in this project was eye-opening, and I now have a greater appreciation for soil and soil microbes. The hands-on aspect of the project kept me engaged throughout the entire semester while also looking forward to the following lab period to view my results. Although my results may not contribute to the antibiotic pipeline, I practiced and learned new skills that make me a better candidate for the workforce. I strongly believe integrating projects like Tiny Earth into college curriculums will help tackle the antimicrobial resistance crisis.