Muhlenberg track and field athlete Jill Lissner, a rising senior biology major and double minor in sustainability studies and Latin American/Caribbean studies, writes about the adjustments she had to make to her summer research:

I intend to pursue a graduate degree in biology after graduation this spring, and last summer I participated in faculty-led research on campus. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this summer I am staying home and completing my project remotely. 

I conduct research with biology professor Dr. Paul Meier. Our lab studies three different species of mice, and we look at how they climb. The original plan for this summer was to work on my honors thesis, but to do that I need to use a scanning electron microscope. This is a highly specialized piece of lab equipment used for looking at the surfaces of animal tissue, and we have access to one at Muhlenberg. Because I am not on campus, I cannot access this machine, so I had to adapt and change my research focus. Currently, I am doing digital measurements of mice feet using a software program.

When I first started my research, being at home was difficult because I was not in my usual environment, which made it hard to focus. On campus, my lab was almost a second home that I would spend hours in during the semester. I was able to adjust to being at home by setting up my kitchen table as a lab bench and putting all of my equipment there. I also try to stick to what my schedule was last summer at Muhlenberg and do as much work as possible during the day when I would typically do lab work.

A kitchen table is not a typical place for a microscope, but it has turned out to be great for me!

Although it is unfortunate to not be on campus and in the lab this summer, I am finding some positive aspects of being at home. For example, I can bring my computer outside and get some sunlight and fresh air while I work. I also get to see my family while I work on my project, which keeps me motivated and happy.

The biology department also hosts Zoom meetings every week for students to share their research, so I still feel connected to my fellow scientists. I have a relaxing home and a research lab all in one and I could not be more thankful for the opportunity to have both.

Although this summer is different from any in the past, that has not stopped Mule athletes from enjoying fantastic experiences. If you would like to tell the story of your summer, please fill out our Summer Check-In form! 

Previous Summer Check-In stories:
Alexander Gardner, football, physics research
Zachary Cooper, men's lacrosse, U.S. Chamber of Commerce internship
Lindsay Press, women's track and field, physical therapy shadowing
Pat Smurla, men's cross country/track and field, information security intern at Nasdaq
Rebecca Shear, volleyball, memory research
Dominic Palumbo, football, political consulting firm internship
Trevor Virno, baseball, organized food drives
Lindsay Scott, women's soccer, genetics research
Alexander Giaquinto, men's lacrosse, cybersecurity internship