Bridging Science and Research: Students Partner Up for Research Discoveries in STEM

At the intersection of biology, chemistry and hands-on discovery lies an innovative course shaping the next generation of scientists at St. Norbert College. For Naomi Balon ’26 and Ally Jacobsen ’26, this class isn’t just another checkpoint on their academic path — it’s an entryway into the collaborative world of research.

Both studying biology with a concentration in biomedical sciences, Balon and Jacobsen are navigating the stimulating and rewarding realm of STEM. Their shared journey is further enriched by being roommates, teammates on the Green Knights hockey team and lab partners in a course that blends organic chemistry and microbiology.

An Unconventional Experience
Unlike typical science courses that isolate chemistry and biology into different classes in the Gehl-Mulva Science Center, this Bioorganic Research and Development course with Professors Jon Russel (Chemistry) and David Hunnicutt (Biology) marries the two fields in a unique seven-week rotation. Students start with organic chemistry, synthesizing antimicrobial molecules for hand sanitizer, and then transition to microbiology, testing their effectiveness.

The goal? To evaluate whether these molecules are useful as antibacterial agents against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The research will be presented to Rockline Industries — a global company that has partnered with Russel and Hunnicutt on past projects, and as part of the Tiny Earth Symposium at Titletown in early December.

“I think the coolest part is seeing how chemistry and biology rely on each other,” Balon shares. “This course pushes you to step out of your comfort zone and see the bigger picture of how these fields intertwine.”

Jacobsen agrees, noting, “It’s not just chemistry or biology; it’s one big science. It’s rewarding to see how understanding both can lead to real-world applications.”

Working with two professors who bring exceptional expertise to the experience has also been a game-changer. “Our professors are constantly bouncing ideas off each other,” Balon explains. “Dr. Russell might walk into the lab with a new molecule and ask Dr. Hunnicutt to test it.”

According to Jacobsen, seeing them work together in real-time highlights how this dynamic would be in a real-world research project. “You don’t always have the answers, so you lean on others to find solutions,” she elaborates.

For these students, this course is more than a class — it’s a stepping stone into the world of science and an experience perfect for anyone interested in the research process. “It’s flexible, collaborative and encourages you to learn from your mistakes,” Balon shares. “It’s been such a valuable experience so far.”
 
Trial, Error and Triumph
Balon and Jacobsen’s enthusiasm stems from the course’s focus on research — a process naturally filled with challenges. From brainstorming solutions to refining methods for the experiment, the entire experience lends itself to build lifelong skills like resilience and adaptability.

As partners in the lab, Balon and Jacobsen also rely on each other. It makes for a refreshing and supportive environment, a classroom where you not only feel genuinely and positively lifted up by the professors, but also fellow student researchers.

“It’s nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of,” Balon says. “If I think I’m doing something wrong, Ally will step in and say, ‘Let’s try it this way.’ That second perspective is so valuable.”

While they work as partners, the course also emphasizes individual responsibility and teamwork. Each student develops their own experiments while collaborating with other students to share insights and overcome obstacles.

“Failure is part of the process,” Balon remarks. “It’s better to learn how to handle it now in a supportive setting than later when the stakes are higher.”

For Jacobsen, the trial-and-error nature of the research is an invaluable experience. “In other courses, if something didn’t work, that was it. Here, you have to figure out what went wrong and try again. It’s a skill that’s essential for any scientific career.”

The lack of a strict syllabus also adds a safe unpredictability, especially with support from faculty.

“There’s no set plan,” Balon explains. “You come in knowing what you want to achieve, but you don’t always know how it’s going to happen. That’s real-world research.”

Women in STEM: Paving the Way
Women are underrepresented in STEM fields, but Balon and Jacobsen are part of a growing number of women in these science fields. They credit their current professors, other faculty including Kari Cunningham (Chemistry) and Katie Garber (Chemistry), and previous students for creating an atmosphere where students of all genders feel empowered to succeed.

“It’s inspiring to see an equal split of male and female professors in our departments,” Jacobsen says. “Their example makes it feel normalized for women to thrive in STEM.”

Balon adds that for younger women, it’s important to “be courageous and embrace not knowing everything — it’s okay to ask questions and learn along the way.”

This palpable passion for science has been lifelong for both students too. Reflecting on their early influences, Balon shares that her whole family is in the medical profession. “Dinner conversations weren’t just, ‘How was your day?’ They were more like, ‘What did you learn in science today?’ It was natural for me to pursue this path.”

For Jacbosen, science was also a main part of her life. “My mom’s a science teacher, and my dad was a paramedic,” she says. “I’ve always been surrounded by it, so I’ve loved science for as long as I can remember.”

Looking Ahead
As juniors, Balon and Jacobsen are already thinking about their post-grad plans. At this time, Balon wants to pursue a master’s program before attending medical school, while Jacobsen hopes to take a gap year for work experience before heading to chiropractic school.

For now, they’re fully immersed in the research experience. From presenting their findings at local events to learning the nuances of scientific inquiry, this course has given them a taste of the challenges and rewards of the science field. It’s not just an academic pitstop as they work toward graduation, it’s also a launchpad for their aspirations in STEM and beyond.

“This class is about more than just grades or exams,” Jacobsen says. “It’s about learning, growing and discovering how science works in the real world.”

Dec. 2, 2024