Del Mar College

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (News Release) - Biotechnology major Trinity Storr earned a Student Award for Excellence during competition at the National Science Foundation’s 2024 Advanced Technology in Education conference in Washington, D.C., in October.

Trinity Storr (Biotechnology)

Trinity Storr began her college education as a Dual Enrollment student at Gregory-Portland High School in 2019, taking nine college-level courses at Del Mar College while still in high school. After a gap year, she officially enrolled at DMC in 2022, initially pursuing a major in Biology.

However, after being introduced to biotechnology by her academic advisor, Storr discovered a new path that would ignite her interest even further.

“Biotechnology is the perfect combination of everything I enjoy: chemistry, microbiology, biology and even environmental science. It’s a field where you never stop learning,” says Storr, adding: “It blends so many areas of science and allows you to find real-world solutions to complex problems.”

A student of Dr. Daisy Zhang, Professor of Biotechnology, Storr earned a Student Award for Excellence at the National Science Foundation’s 2024 Advanced Technological Education conference in Washington, D.C., in October for her work on the potential therapeutic applications of bacteriophages.

“Being recognized on a national level was such an honor,” Storr says. “It motivated me to continue my work with even more dedication and passion.”

Storr’s research project, titled The Isolation and Characterization of Bacteriophage Pepbellie, investigates the use of bacteriophages — viruses that infect bacteria — as potential vectors, or a DNA molecule used as a vehicle to carry a specific DNA segment into a host cell as part of a cloning DNA technique, for gene therapy. Working with a bacteriophage isolated from soil, Storr studied its ability to infect Mycobacterium smegmatis, a close relative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis.

“We wanted to see if the bacteriophage could help treat antibiotic-resistant infections, particularly tuberculosis,” Storr explains. “This virus could potentially be used to target and destroy harmful bacteria, offering a new approach to tackling drug-resistant strains.”

The practical applications of her research are significant since bacteriophages offer a promising alternative to antibiotics, especially for treating infections that are resistant to conventional treatments.

Looking ahead, Storr plans to transfer to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to pursue her bachelor’s degree and continue her academic journey in the field of pharmacology.

“I’m particularly interested in drug development and therapeutic interventions,” she says. “My goal is to contribute to advancements in pharmacology, researching new drug targets and developing innovative treatments for diseases.”

While Storr’s focus is on advancing her education and career in research, she also values the collaborative environment of DMC’s Biotechnology program.

“We all love being part of the Biotechnology program,” Storr says of her peers. “It’s a place where we can work together, explore new ideas and learn from each other. That sense of community is really motivating.”

And, Storr’s motivation will continue now that she’s completing Del Mar College’s Associate of Applied Science degree in Biotechnology.