December 22nd 2024.
Garfield Park has always been a special place for Camarria Williams and her mother, as they often take walks there together. But one day, during a science program at a Boys & Girls Club on the West Side, 11-year-old Camarria made an unexpected discovery - a new cancer-fighting molecule in an unlikely source: goose poop.
Along with her twin sister Camerria, who also attends William H. Brown STEM Magnet School, Camarria spent the fall of 2022 working with researchers to identify potential antibiotics in nature. As part of the Chicago Antibiotic Discovery Lab, a partnership between the Boys & Girls Club and a lab at the University of Illinois Chicago, the twins were part of the third cohort of middle school students to participate in this program.
During a field trip to Garfield Park to collect bacteria samples, Camarria remembered a special memory of feeding the geese with her mother. She knew that the geese ate everything, so she thought the goose poop would be a good source for bacteria. And she was right - this discovery led to her becoming a published scientific researcher at the age of 13.
Camarria's mother, Antwainetta Hunter, was incredibly proud of her daughter's accomplishment and the opportunities that the Boys & Girls Club provided for her and other children. She believes that investing in children's futures is important and that the experiences they gain now will shape them into successful adults.
The science program not only taught the students valuable skills, but also gave them the chance to actively participate in research at the University of Illinois Chicago. The goal of the program, according to Professor Brian Murphy who runs the lab, is to spark an interest in science and encourage students to pursue careers in STEM fields.
Murphy, who launched the Chicago Antibiotic Discovery Lab in 2022, believes that universities have a responsibility to serve their communities. He wanted to provide a stronger pipeline to careers in science, technology, engineering, and math for students in Chicago neighborhoods that have faced "decades" of "engineered inequity."
The program ran for three cohorts at the James R. Jordan Club on the Near West Side before expanding to the Bartlett J. McCartin Boys & Girls Club in Bridgeport with high school students. Despite the initial funding running out, Murphy and the Boys & Girls Club leadership are determined to continue the program and have applied for new grants.
Camarria was a regular at the James R. Jordan Club, participating in various programs after school. She joined the Chicago Antibiotic Discovery Lab because it seemed like a great opportunity, but after the program, she and her sister became even more interested in pursuing science in the future. Their favorite part of the experience was visiting UIC's campus and getting a tour of a real-life science lab.
As Murphy and the Boys & Girls Club work to secure funding for future cohorts, Camarria and her fellow students have already gained valuable knowledge and skills that will shape their futures. And who knows, maybe there are more unexpected discoveries waiting to be made in the most unlikely places.
In Garfield Park, Camarria Williams has always loved taking walks with her mom. It's a special place for them, filled with memories of feeding the geese and enjoying the beautiful scenery. But little did Camarria know that her walks would lead to a groundbreaking scientific discovery.
At just 11 years old, Camarria and her twin sister, Camerria, attend William H. Brown STEM Magnet School. They were given the opportunity to participate in a science program at a Boys & Girls Club on the West Side. The goal of the program was to work with researchers and identify potential antibiotics in nature.
The girls, who are from North Lawndale, were part of the third cohort of middle school students to join the Chicago Antibiotic Discovery Lab. This program was a partnership between the Boys & Girls Club and a lab at the University of Illinois Chicago. It was run by Brian Murphy, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences.
During one of their field trips to Garfield Park, Camarria knew exactly where to look for samples rich in bacteria. She remembered her mom feeding the geese and how they would eat just about anything. So, she decided to collect some goose poop as a sample.
Now 13 years old, Camarria is a published scientific researcher. She is listed as a co-author on a study about a new cancer-fighting compound that was discovered by isolating bacteria from her goose poop sample. The study was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal in October.
Her mother, Antwainetta Hunter, expressed her pride and amazement at her daughter's accomplishment. She believes that children are the future and it's wonderful to see them making such great strides at a young age.
The 14-week afterschool program not only taught the students the skills of a scientist, but also gave them the opportunity to actively participate in the work of Murphy's lab. The goal was not only to spark their interest in science, but also to create a stronger pipeline to careers in STEM fields for Chicago's youth.
Murphy, who started the Chicago Antibiotic Discovery Lab in 2022, believes that universities have a responsibility to use their resources to serve their community. He wanted to help level the playing field for Chicago neighborhoods that have faced decades of "engineered inequity."
The program ran for three cohorts at the James R. Jordan Club, with Camarria being one of the "core club kids." After her discovery, the program was also offered to high school students at the Bartlett J. McCartin Boys & Girls Club in Bridgeport.
Although the initial funding has run out, Murphy and the Boys & Girls Club leadership have applied for new grants in hopes of offering the program again in 2025. Camarria's twin sister, Camerria, also participated in the program and both girls have expressed interest in pursuing a career in science.
Their favorite part of the program was getting to visit UIC's campus and tour a real-life science lab. They were fascinated by the chemicals and experiments happening around them. It was an experience they will never forget and has sparked a passion for science in them.
Camarria's discovery of a cancer-fighting molecule in an unexpected source has shown that science can be found in the most unlikely places. It's a testament to the power of curiosity and the potential of young minds to make groundbreaking discoveries. Who knows what other discoveries await us in the future, thanks to the Chicago Antibiotic Discovery Lab and the bright minds of the next generation.
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