Dean Peterson (MMBIO ‘25) didn’t expect to end up studying fruit flies. When he began looking for a lab to join at BYU, he was drawn to academic research but hadn’t settled on a specific focus. His uncle, a researcher in Arizona, suggested Peterson reach out to one of his collaborators at BYU, Dr. Chaston. That recommendation led Peterson to the Chaston Lab, where he discovered a surprising family connection: his cousin had previously worked there and published a paper on how gut bacteria influence fruit fly food preferences. The study showed that flies with a bacterium called A. fabarum preferred diets with less yeast. Intrigued by this behavioral shift, Peterson began wondering what mechanisms were driving the change.
To find out, Peterson focused on thiamin, which is often referred to as vitamin B1 and tested how different levels affected fruit fly behavior. When flies were given more thiamin, they showed a stronger preference for yeast even when they had A. fabarum. This suggested that thiamin could counteract the bacteria’s effect, revealing more about the complex relationship between microbes, nutrients, and behavior.
His research discovery, now published, took him to conferences in Washington D.C. and Chicago where he presented alongside scientists from around the world and earned him first place in the plant and wildlife sciences category at BYU’s Life Sciences Research Conference.
Finding Confidence Through Research and Mentorship
Beyond providing a place for him to conduct research, Peterson credits the Chaston Lab with creating an environment that encouraged growth. Dr. Chaston provided guidance on research proposals, fostered collaboration, and gave students the space to explore their own ideas. That support helped Peterson develop confidence in his work in the lab.
The experience also shaped him spiritually. “The biggest spiritual takeaway I had was that Heavenly Father is more aware of what I'm doing than I thought before,” he said. He began to find more meaning in the details and believes that even small experiments are steppingstones to larger discoveries.
Peterson sees how his research experience shaped his academic pursuits. “It was really up to me to figure out what I was going to do,” he said. “And that was a great experience. I feel like I am a lot more confident because of that.”
After graduating from BYU in April, Peterson was accepted as a PhD student in the microbiology and immunology program at the University of Utah. Wherever his work takes him next, he hopes to keep asking meaningful questions and deepening his understanding of God’s plan for him.