Purpose
In 2018, the UW Microphiles Club started an undergraduate microbiology journal to showcase the diversity of microbiology to all audiences while providing an opportunity for students to develop their skills in scientific writing. Thanks to outstanding work on the part of the entire team, the 5th issue is now available online.
The future of this journal is up to us. The Microphiles Journal is committed to providing support for those who wish to learn more about microbiology or team up to create, write, illustrate and design a microbiology journal. It's a great opportunity to get involved with the community, develop your ability to communicate your findings, and strengthen your resume. We welcome freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and you do not have to be a microbiology major to participate!
The future of this journal is up to us. The Microphiles Journal is committed to providing support for those who wish to learn more about microbiology or team up to create, write, illustrate and design a microbiology journal. It's a great opportunity to get involved with the community, develop your ability to communicate your findings, and strengthen your resume. We welcome freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and you do not have to be a microbiology major to participate!
Letter from the Editor
In a world with an abundance of tools and platforms to spread information, there is an ever-increasing need to break down complicated scientific topics to make them truly accessible to general audiences. This journal provides an arena for undergraduates to showcase their abilities to do exactly that, while simultaneously fostering their interest in microbiology.
This is the largest issue of the Microphiles Journal we have published to date. We have the highest number of articles, writers and graduate editors ever. Furthermore, we have the most academically diverse group of journal members, with many people outside the microbiology major contributing. This has brought unique perspectives and insights to the journal.
This year has been a significant transitional year for the Microphiles Journal. This is the first year after all of its founding members have graduated from UW. The progress we have made this year has shown that there is continued interest in the journal, and it continues to be an important part of the microbiology community at UW. Having been a journal member for four years, it has been a privilege to witness the changes that have occurred so far and to grow alongside the journal over the years.
I would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who has been a part of the journal – writers, editors, illustrators, publishers, graduate editors and our faculty mentor, Dr. Karen Thickman. The level of commitment, dedication and creativity that has been displayed by each member is evident in this year’s journal publication. We hope you enjoy reading this issue and become fascinated with the world of microbiology.
Pavithra Prabhu
Editor in Chief
This is the largest issue of the Microphiles Journal we have published to date. We have the highest number of articles, writers and graduate editors ever. Furthermore, we have the most academically diverse group of journal members, with many people outside the microbiology major contributing. This has brought unique perspectives and insights to the journal.
This year has been a significant transitional year for the Microphiles Journal. This is the first year after all of its founding members have graduated from UW. The progress we have made this year has shown that there is continued interest in the journal, and it continues to be an important part of the microbiology community at UW. Having been a journal member for four years, it has been a privilege to witness the changes that have occurred so far and to grow alongside the journal over the years.
I would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who has been a part of the journal – writers, editors, illustrators, publishers, graduate editors and our faculty mentor, Dr. Karen Thickman. The level of commitment, dedication and creativity that has been displayed by each member is evident in this year’s journal publication. We hope you enjoy reading this issue and become fascinated with the world of microbiology.
Pavithra Prabhu
Editor in Chief