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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Bacteria ‘Hidden’ in Public Places: Research by Halmos Faculty, Student Aired on Telemundo Network
Julie Torruellas Garcia, Ph.D.
Just how dirty is it? With growing public curiosity about microbiology and its hidden threats, research identifying bacteria in everyday places was conducted by Julie Torruellas Garcia, Ph.D., associate professor at the Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, and senior biology major Leonor Sarria.
The study by Garcia and Sarria, who was conducting an independent study project, examined bacteria found at restaurants, gas stations, playgrounds, and a person’s hand as they go about their day.
“In class, students are assigned to identify unknown organisms,” Garcia said. In this case, Sarria “applied what they were learning to a real-life situation, and learned a lot of the techniques for testing and identifying bacteria.”
Their research was part of an investigative report for a Telemundo television segment titled “Amenaza Escondida,” or “hidden threats,” on the news show Al Rojo Vivo.
Click below to watch previous episodes featuring Garcia and her related research.
Encuentran Bacterias en un Restaurante de Buffet Chino
Encuentran Bacterias Peligrosas en Parques para Niños
Bombas de Gasolinas, Llenas de Bacterias
Garcia pointed out that “Exposure to bacteria can be healthy. Certain amounts of bacteria are beneficial. It stimulates your immune system so that when you do encounter disease-causing bacteria, your body is prepared to fight it off.”