Members of the BRG, Summer 2007: (From left to right) Audrey Davis, Tara Southworth, Julie Rosenman, Beto Zuniga, Lerna Uzasci, Bruce Branchini, Andrew Margenot, and Danielle Ablamsky.

The Bioluminescence Research Group at Connecticut College is under the direction of Professor Bruce Branchini in the Department of Chemistry. Dr. Branchini has directed undergraduate student research in bioluminescence for 28 years. Over 75 undergraduate students, more than half of whom have been women or members of groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, have worked in his lab. For more information on diversity on campus visit Unity House. Seventy percent of our research students have gone on to graduate or professional schools. Many are now employed as professional scientists, typically in the pharmaceutical industry or in medicine.

Students who are interested in undergraduate research typically begin their tenure with us by taking an independent study (research) course or a work study research job in our lab, some beginning as early as their freshman year. They attend our weekly lab meetings and work in the lab a few hours each week prior to their first summer of full time research. The main objectives are to have the new students become familiar with project background information, standard lab practices and techniques, keeping a research notebook, and writing scientific reports. During the first summer, students work closely with Dr. Branchini or other senior personnel on a specific project. Our approach is to provide the best opportunity for the students to develop confidence and then independence as quickly as they are individually capable. Students who continue to work in the lab during the academic years and summers and make substantive contributions to the project are involved in the writing of manuscripts and become co-authors on publications. Most of our students also write a formal senior thesis. Students are encouraged and supported in their efforts to present their results at scientific meetings, including those aimed at undergraduate participation such as National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR) and the American Chemical Society.

The 2007 Bioluminescence Research Group at a Yankee's game.

Faculty and students from the Connecticut College chemistry department spend the day at Trinity meeting the school's summer research students. From left to right: Audrey Davis, Xin Li, Alec Keon, and Julie Rosenman.

Students from Connecticut College or from other institutions who are interested in summer research are encouraged to contact Professor Branchini.

Bruce Branchini, Ph.D.
Hans and Ella McCollum '21 Vahlteich Professor of Chemistry

Tara Southworth, B.S., Research Technician
I received a B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology from University of Connecticut in 1996. I then received a Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Diagnostic Genetic Sciences. I have previous experience in solid tumor research, cytogenetics, and molecular genetics. My current research focuses on site-directed and random mutagenesis of firefly luciferase.  I am currently working on blue-shifting the bioluminescence emission maximum of the luciferase from Photinus pyralis to be used in dual-color reporter assays.  Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, reading, and being outdoors with my son.

Danielle Ablamsky, M.A., Research Technician
I earned my B.A. in Molecular Biology from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania in 1999 and my M.A. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Boston University in 2002. I was a laboratory instructor for basic biology labs as well as anatomy and physiology lab coordinator while at Boston University. My current research focuses on site-directed and random mutagenesis of firefly luciferase. Presently, our lab has developed a thermostable red- and blue- shifted version of firefly luciferase. Outside of lab I enjoy reading, being outdoors and sports.

Beto Zuniga, B.S., Research Technician
With a B.S. in Biology from University of Houston and a Post-baccalaureate Certification in Biomedical Communications from The University of Texas Medical School at Houston I have always been involved with science, illustration and graphic communications. For example I recently completed the post-conference website with multi-source videos of the talks at the "Saving Biological Diversity" Conference presented by the Goodwin-Niering Center for Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies at Connecticut College. I have done research on protein folding of cytochrome-c and running a 250L fermentor in the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at The UT Medical School at Houston, a DOD project working on stress responses of microbes to environmental conditions in metal and radionuclide contaminated waste sites at the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle, the Biology department at Connecticut College as a lab manager and currently the Chemistry department. I have also worked in the corporate sector as a graphic designer and GUI branding engineer at Fiserv eCom Services in Oregon. Outside the lab I am an avid all-grain brewer and a freelance rich media developer.

Lerna Uzasci, '08, Research Student
I will graduate in 2008 with a BA degree in American Chemical Society Certified Chemistry/Biochemistry and a minor in Mathematics. I have been in the Bioluminescence Research group since the second semester of my freshman year. I studied the thermostability and red/blue color shift of firefly luciferase through site-directed mutagenesis as well as working on the structural basis for them. My current projects involve creating a cysteineless luciferase and a luciferase specific for GTP, instead of ATP.  After graduating from Connecticut College I plan to pursue a Ph.D. degree and do biomedical research. I am the secretary of ATLAS (International Student Association) and I have volunteered at BDJ Middle School for CPEP (a program to encourage science among the students). I like reading, swimming and exploring new cultures.

Julie Rosenman,'08, Research Student
I will graduate in May of 2008 with a B.A. in Biochemistry Cellular and Molecular Biology as well as French. I joined the Bioluminescence Research Group at the start of my sophomore spring semester. During the summer and fall of 2006, I investigated the individual and cooperative effects of luciferase residues of a previously made green-emitting mutant in providing for color stability and resistance to red-shifting at low pH as well as elevated temperature. In my independent study this past semester, I studied the effect of a combination of four point mutations on the properties of a red-emitting luciferase mutant. I also presented a poster of my summer and fall '06 research at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research and worked briefly in Professor Aldo Roda's lab in Bologna, Italy. This summer, I am working to introduce a series of mutations known to increase the thermostability of an enzyme with a secondary structure similar to that of P. pyralis. After college, I hope to attend medical school. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and two dogs.

Audrey Davis, '09, Research Student
I am a Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB) major and a Religious Studies minor. After graduating from Connecticut College, I plan to attend graduate school. I joined the Bioluminescence Research Group in the spring semester of 2007, and shortly thereafter traveled to Bologna, Italy for a research trip. My pastimes include running, hiking, and playing the bassoon.

Andrew Margenot, '10, Research Student
I will graduate in 2010 with a B.A. in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB) and Philosophy. I joined the Bioluminescence Research Group the second semester of my freshman year.  Currently, I am taking part in the engineering of a firefly luciferase devoid of cysteine residues. After my studies at Connecticut College I hope to pursue a M.D.-Ph.D.  I am interested in bioethics and other philosophical implications of science.

Summer 2006

(From left to right) Bruce Branchini, Julie Rosenman, Lerna Uzasci, Tara Southworth, Beto Zuniga, Sloan Devlin, and Danielle Ablamsky.

Summer 2005

(From left to right) Tara Southworth, Martha Murtiashaw, Danielle Ablamsky, Bruce Branchini, Lerna Uzasci, Hugo Fraga, Jennifer DeAngelis and Adrian Idrizi.

Summer 2004

(From left to right) Chen Jiang, Susan Gonzalez, Bruce Branchini, Martha Murtiashaw, Tara Southworth, Neelum Khattak, Emily Mygatt and Elisa Michelini.

Summer 2002

(From left to right) Sara Wilkinson, Maria Ruggiero, Susan Gonzalez, Jill Carmody, Bruce Branchini, Martha Murtiashaw, Neelum Khattak and Tara Southworth.