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[CEDAR CITY, UTAH, February 2---] Shelby Osborne has spent the last year devoting her time to undergraduate research at Southern Utah University. Taking a particular interest in Microbiology, Osborne has been studying the microflora found on plants local to Cedar City. She got her start in the classroom studying Eriogonum corymbosum. This struck her deep interest in research and decided to continue the work her and her classmates had worked on during the semester. After taking root samples, Osborne began the process of sequencing the 16S rRNA gene and identifying the bacteria and fungi present. Bacteria extracted from the roots of plants have shown beneficial properties that promote plant growth and success. The native plant has water conservation xeriscaping implements, and plays an important role in the southern utah desert ecosystem.

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What started out as a small 40 hour project requirement has blossomed into much more for this undergraduate. Since joining the E. corymbosum research team, Osborne has been selected to receive the Gibson Research Fellowship to conduct similar research on the Arctostaphylos patula plant species. This competitive fellowship allows researchers to be funded for the research they conduct. Osborne and her fellow research team will be presenting their findings at the Festival of Excellence held at SUU on April 3rd, 2018.

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Shelby Miner Osborne is a senior Biology major at Southern Utah University. She is currently serving as the treasurer for the SUU Beta Beta Beta Biology Honor Society. She plans to graduate in May 2018, and pursue a career in the sciences.

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If you would like more information, please call Shelby at 801-472-5610 or email at miner.shelby03@gmail.com.