After our post last week on Chemistry major Chris Jackson, we are excited to share yet another impressive bit of research coming from St. Edward’s University students. Jessica Williamson, a junior Biology major on a Pre-Med track, is conducting research on bacteria that might potentially replace synthetic fertilizer. Her study is titled, “The Concentration Effects of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria on Nolina lindheimeriana in Different Organic Matters” and looks into how beneficial soil microorganisms can promote plant growth by encouraging root hair growth to increase root absorption. This in turn creates nutrient availability and produces phytohormones to also increase plant growth. By increasing awareness of these bacteria, Jessica hopes that the need for synthetic fertilizers, which have been a major cause of global human health and environmental issues, will decrease.
Jessica is also a member of the SEU women’s soccer team and is bilingual, fluent in both English and Portuguese.