In the fall of her senior year, Callie Norris was introduced to biomedical research through an advanced topics class called Fluorescence Research Methods in Biology (Biol 306H).  Her curiosity piqued, Callie then chose to do independent research under the joint guidance of Drs Kirk Dineley and Latha Malaiyandi.  Callie’s work used fluorescence methods to study cellular energy production, with specific emphasis on how impaired metabolic pathways lead to production of harmful free radicals.  The project culminated in an honors thesis, titled A comparison of reactive oxygen species production in mitochondria isolated from mouse brain and liver, and is currently being prepared for publication in a scientific journal for undergraduates.   After graduating, Callie used her experience to land a spot with a summer undergraduate research program at the University of Pittsburgh .  Her supervisors were so impressed they hired her as a research technician at the end of the summer program.  With lots of research experience and an excellent academic record, Callie will be strong applicant for biomedical PhD programs.