Name: Jules Bates
Organization: University of Alabama
Position: Student
> About:
Jules Bates, from Pace, FL, is a chemical engineering major at The University of Alabama. Jules first became interested in research through a biotechnology program at her high school where she learned about how living organisms can be used to manufacture products for healthcare. Interest in the biomedical field led her to join a research lab in the chemical engineering department, and in Summer 2022 she researched in the biomedical engineering department at the University of Florida.
Outside of research, she has volunteered at the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, where she rehabilitated opossums, turtles, and songbirds. She also played clarinet in the UA Symphonic Band and a local church, and participated in intramural soccer.
> Academic/Career Preparation:
Enrolling in her high school’s biotechnology program shaped the vision of Jules’ future educational pursuits. By earning the BACE credential, she was able to get involved with undergraduate research as a freshman. Jules was also accepted into the Randall Research Scholars Program, an interdisciplinary undergraduate research program at The University of Alabama. Recently, she was selected to participate in summer undergraduate research at the University of Florida (SURF). Getting involved with research early in my academic career helped her receive the Goldwater Scholarship. Jules plans to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering after completing a B.S. in chemical engineering.
Having biotechnology experience and the BACE credential has allowed Jules to stand out among her peers and opened the door to many opportunities.
> Job Description:
Jules started working as an undergraduate researcher early in college. She works in a lab in the chemical engineering department where she studies directed differentiation of neural stem cells to treat neurodegenerative diseases through stem cell therapy.
She has also helped with other projects in the lab and has been published as second author on a journal article. As a Randall Research Scholar (RRS), Jules has learned basic coding techniques and participated in weekly seminars where she worked on professional skills and discussed research projects. She has presented at RRS live twice, the RRS symposium, and (URCA (Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference).
> Best Thing About Her Job:
According to Jules, the best part about research is that it is constantly changing. There is always something new and exciting on the horizon and the next big discovery could come from anywhere.