Sydney Springer

It was a splash of ice-cold water in the face. Amy Hernandez’s friend was only seventeen years old and just diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that deteriorates the body. Hernandez (‘23) was in her second year of her molecular biology degree at BYU. The sudden, very early onset diagnosis prompted hours of research under her mentor, microbiology and molecular biology professor Mary Davis, to answer the question: why is early MS onset in ethnic minorities reached at an earlier age than in Caucasian populations?

Also hailing from Europe, marine biology student and Sheffield, England native Rebekah Stanton (’21) wanted to earn her PhD at BYU but couldn’t find a program that fit her needs. After receiving an unexpected email from plant and wildlife sciences professor Sam St Clair, she packed her bags and joined his research team to study just the opposite of marine biology—they were going to study the desert.

Honored Graduating Student: Benton Tullis (PDBio)
When COVID-19 canceled their marathon, Benton and Madeleine Tullis (‘21) decided to run their own. They woke up at 5:30 a.m., made their own medals out of wood, and invited family and friends to cheer them on as they crossed the “finish line” at Utah Lake. Their love of adventure and strong ability to problem-solve will aid them as Benton heads off to medical school in the fall.

Making thirteen stops three times a week and testing a whole lot of wastewater, these undergraduate students track the COVID-19 cases on BYU campus and in Utah County.

A recent life sciences study looks at what motivates college students to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Findings indicate that concern and convenience are the two primary predictors for Utah Valley college students.

As the COVID-19 virus spread around the globe, BYU reached out to faculty in the College of Life Sciences to answer scientific questions that could aid administration in the decision-making process.