Name:
Reagan Beliakoff
Organization:
University of Florida
Position Title:
Research Assistant
> About:
Reagan discovered her passion for microbiology and scientific research while attending Ponte Vedra High School, where she was enrolled in its Biotechnology and Medical Research Academy. Regan recently graduated from the University of Florida (UF) with a degree in Microbiology and Cell Science and a minor in Bioinformatics, and is now preparing to earn her PhD in Microbiology. She hopes to pursue a career in academic research and eventually become a university professor and principal investigator.
> BACE and Career Path:
Preparing for the Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam (BACE) exposed Reagan to a variety of laboratory techniques essential for success in any life science lab. She became familiar with key equipment, protocols, and concepts that allowed her to transition smoothly into laboratory work at UF. The credential also provided her with a strong talking point in interviews for undergraduate research positions because it demonstrated her lab experience beyond her peers. This helped her secure a mentor and research lab that aligned well with her academic and professional goals.
> Job Description:
Reagan works with laboratory techniques focused on studying bacterial gene regulation and how changes in external stimuli elicit responses in bacterial regulatory networks. She recently completed her first independent project investigating a transcription factor from a novel probiotic strain of Lactobacillus johnsonii. She is also collaborating with her principal investigator at UF to develop curriculum for a new course on laboratory techniques used to study prokaryotic gene regulation.
> Best Thing About The Job:
Reagan says she especially enjoys the moment when an experiment succeeds and leads to new insights about her research. For her, making discoveries is the most exciting part of the scientific process.