WJL: Experimental Biology at HVCC w/ Professor Varma

Activities described by youth mentor Ileya du Boulay with contributions from youth fellows Polly, Sumaiya, and Tanajae.

Back to Season Six Overview

Over the past six weeks, WJL explored a range of topics in with the Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) class led by Professor Shalini Varma. With a special focus on the environmental DNA particularly bacteria, the lessons covered key laboratory concepts including Gram staining, aseptic technique, and isolating eDNA. In the lab, the fellows conducted experiments analyzing water samples for bacterial contamination, using filtration and microscopic examination techniques. Through these experiences, the fellows gained hands-on skills in scientific observation and data analysis, and developed a deeper understanding of how human activity influences the natural world.

Week 1: Lab Safety & Aseptic Technique with Professor Shalini Varma

A youth fellow transfers bacteria to a glass slide for Gram stain testing.

Three youth fellows and one mentor, all wearing lab coats, gather around a table in the lab.

Youth fellows and HVCC students learned gram staining and plate streaking using various bacteria while practicing lab safety, Gram staining and aseptic technique.

Week 2: Isolating environmental DNA with Professor Shalini Varma

A mentor observes a youth fellow using a pipette.

A youth fellow practices using a pipette.

Here the fellows isolated eDNA for water samples. Pipetting, vacuum filtration, and centrifugation was included in the process.

Week 3: Water Sampling & Processing at NATURE Lab

A youth fellow prepares a bottle for collecting water samples.

In the distance, a mentor stands in a creek with a bottle for sampling.

Water Justice Lab Youth fellows and HVCC students took water samples locally from the Hudson River to bring back to NATURE Lab to be processed for enterococcus.

Week 4: Bacterial Examination with Professor Shalini Varma

A youth fellow in a white lab coat and a mentor in a dark blue lab coat sit, smiling, around a table in the lab.

Two youth fellows in white lab coats work on their experiment.

Local water samples and isolated bacterial controls are swabbed in Petri dishes and liquid agar for a variety of bacterial identification tests. The results were examined the following week.