I am a rising senior ‘21 working towards an Sc.B. in cell and molecular biology. Along with my academic pursuits at Brown, I am also a member of the Brown Women’s Varsity Lacrosse team. This summer my research is focused on the utilization of a rapid visualization assay to identify the presence of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria as well as endotoxin on surgical explants, tissues, allografts and synovial fluid samples. This assay utilizes fluorescently conjugated antibodies and confocal microscopy in order to visualize bacteria as well as ImageJ software to quantify percent coverage of samples. Comparison of the results of this assay with results from the limulus amebocyte lysate test and surgeon’s impressions allows for the determination of a threshold in deeming a sample infected or not. With the current virtual approach to research this summer, I will primarily focus on the analysis of these confocal images. Along with this, I will begin compiling background research of papers and previous data in order to draft my thesis. I am excited to not only work on my research this summer, but to become connected with other members of the Royce fellowship community! a