Chemistry professor Dr. Kristen Mudrack recently began a research initiative with students to help combat cystic fibrosis.
Mudrack has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Gordon College and a doctorate in biochemistry and molecular biology from Michigan State University. Before working at Milligan, she was a visiting professor at Goshen College.
The focus of Mudrack’s research at Milligan is developing and testing new antibiotics. The antibiotics are designed to target and exterminate Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a resistive bacteria that often causes lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis.
Mudrack recently presented her research as part of Milligan’s faculty lecture series. Her presentation was titled “From the Classroom to the Bench to Beyond” and discussed the work and its importance to the students that participated.
“When I was an undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to do research, and it opened a whole new world of science to me,” said Mudrack in a Milligan press release. “Rather than reading a textbook or testing lab projects that hundreds of people had already tested, I was doing something new where the outcomes were unknown.”
The work done in the lab here at Milligan is now part of an intercollegiate research database, with contributions from Milligan, IUPUI, Goshen College, Colorado College and others.
“The opportunity to be involved in innovative research isn’t offered everywhere,” said Mudrack. “I’m grateful to be able to work alongside students as they make a difference and work toward their career goals.”
Last year, Milligan alumni Andi Lamb and Kellee Geren worked with Mudrack in the lab. Now, senior Hannah Rodgers and junior Madison Blanton are continuing the research with the same supervision under Mudrack.
“Our students’ research not only applies to the things they are learning in the classroom to a real-world problem but what they discover affects a population of people who suffer from CF,” said Mudrack. “This research has a practical application for our students who are interested in medicine and biochemical research.”
Mudrack also spoke briefly about her experience with CF and the ways it has influenced her research during chapel on Thursday, Oct. 3. Her sermon in chapel was part of the series EPIC: Your Life In God’s Story. She concluded her sermon by emphasizing how every person’s story is important and is part of a bigger picture, even if it does not feel like it at times.