Karla Pedraza: Developing a Passion and Research Skillset for Molecular Microbiological Research

By Sarah McCord

August 2025

For her NextGen NRCS Pros internship, Karla Pedraza worked in a molecular microbiology research laboratory with Dr. Ruvini Pathirana, an assistant professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Karla’s research at Dr. Pathirana’s lab focused on Candida albicans and various mutants. Specifically, Karla investigated “how different stress conditions, particularly environmental pH levels affect the growth patterns and overgrowth potential of C. albicans.” In addition to data entry, collection, and pipetting, daily tasks during Karla's internship included preparing various types of growth media adjusted to specific pH levels, inoculating cultures, and measuring growth over time using a spectrophotometer to track optical density (OD).

Through the 10-week summer internship, Karla gained an immense amount of experience and confidence with molecular microbiology research. The highlight of her internship was gaining a comprehensive skillset that combines both technical and analytical skills to deepen her passion and interest in microbiological research. Echoing this, Karla shared, “I’ve developed a genuine interest in molecular microbiology and a deeper appreciation for its complexity. From preparing agar plates and pipetting to checking viability and analyzing growth curves, I’ve found myself fully engaged in every task.”

After completing her internship, Karla developed an enthusiasm to pursue a master’s degree in microbiology or a related field; “It’s shown me that STEM fields, especially microbiology, are not only mentally challenging but also incredibly rewarding. Being part of a project where I can ask real scientific questions and work toward answers has sparked a strong interest in pursuing graduate studies in molecular microbiology or biomedical research,” Karla explained.

Karla’s internship experience continues to highlight student interest and engagement in STEM research in agriculture and natural resources sciences.