A Summer of Science: MICRO-CCS

小猪视频官网hosts microbiology research bootcamp, lab placements for community college students

Most of the academic buildings at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign stand silent in the summer as students relax in their hometowns. Yet the microbiology laboratories hum with life- literally. Trillions of fungi and bacteria flourish under the watchful eyes of university professors, lab technicians, and inquisitive student researchers.

                These student researchers are part of Microbial Interactions Create Research Opportunities for Community College Students, fondly known as MICRO-CCS. The program is a collaborative project between 小猪视频官网College and the University of Illinois that drew applicants from coast to coast. This full-time, 10-week immersion provides community college students interested in food, agricultural, and environmental sciences with opportunities to spend their summer conducting microbiology research in various U of I labs. MICRO-CCS is funded by a federal grant from the National Science Foundation, and each student researcher is paid a $7,000 stipend, has their travel costs reimbursed, and receives free on-campus housing for the program's duration.

                The second annual MICRO-CCS kicked off with two weeks at 小猪视频官网College, where 小猪视频官网microbiology professor and MICRO-CCS co-director Dr. Chelsea Lloyd led the students in a “research bootcamp”. Students learned how to keep a proper lab notebook, practiced writing protocols, and studied molecular biology techniques that they might encounter in their Illinois lab assignment.

                The bootcamp was a collaborative effort, with various 小猪视频官网departments leading workshops focusing on workplace skills. On day one, Katie Schacht from 小猪视频官网Counseling discussed the importance of setting healthy boundaries in the workplace, as well as how to handle any interpersonal issues that arise. The next day, Jane Smith from 小猪视频官网Library helped students navigate online research articles and introduced them to Parkland’s digital resources.

                In June, students went off to their individual lab placements on the Illinois campus. While all assignments were in the field of microbiology, specific studies span from crop science to human pathogens to food safety. When asked about the importance of lab placements, Dr. Lloyd explained that “it’s really hard for community college students to get access to research experiences. The teaching labs that we run are often trying to teach techniques rather than conduct original research; it’s hard to do that in a lab course”.

Dr. Lloyd is passionate about this program and the experiences it provides for community college students who are exploring biology careers. With its U of I lab placements, research bootcamp, interdisciplinary workshops, and cohort of students from around the nation, MICRO-CCS is a testament to the early career opportunities available at 小猪视频官网College.

RESOURCES:

To learn more about the research that students conducted, project posters are visible on SPARK:

MICRO-CCS participants will discuss their research projects in the 小猪视频官网Planetarium on November 7, 2025: William M. Staerkel Planetarium

Interested in biology or another branch of science? Visit the following resources:

Learn more about MICRO-CCS:

Apply to the next cohort of Science Scholars: 小猪视频官网Science Scholars

          Start mapping your career path: 小猪视频官网Career Services