01 / Research

Research

Undergraduate Research Assistant · Department of Microbiology
Weber State University · March 2024–Present

Faculty advisor: Dr. Daniel ClarkMedical microbiology / experimental research

Study 01 / Drug susceptibility

Investigating Naegleria fowleri

Investigating six CDC-identified candidate drugs for potential treatment of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), using culture techniques, drug-susceptibility assays, and flow cytometry.

Fluorescence-bead assays monitor single-drug and combination-drug efficacy. Amphotericin B, Azithromycin, and Nitroxoline consistently reduced amoeba feeding activity on the HeLa cell line in these experiments.

Laboratory findings; this work does not establish clinical treatment efficacy.

Study 02 / CRISPR & phage research

CRISPR & phage-therapy research

Performing CRISPR-mediated gene editing and viral infection assays for an ongoing phage-therapy research program targeting Staphylococcus aureus biofilms.

Following validated protocols for biological sample processing and testing, maintaining detailed laboratory records and quality-control documentation, and supporting reproducible experiments.

Assisted with manuscript preparation for journal submission by consolidating current and historical laboratory findings.

Conference contributions

Presentations

“Feeding Activity of The Brain-Eating Amoeba: Blocking Naegleria fowleri with Treatment Drugs.”

May 2026 · Poster

ASM – Intermountain Branch Conference

Midavaine, A., Ford, I., Clawson, B. K., Singh, A., Calla, L. M. & Clark, D. N.

March 2026 · Oral presentation

Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, & Letters Annual Conference

Utah State University · Midavaine, A., Ford, I., Dinh, K., Clark, D. N. & Singh, A.

December 2025 · Poster

Research and Engagement Symposium

Weber State University · Midavaine, A., Ford, I., Clawson, B. K., Singh, A., Calla, L. M. & Clark, D. N.

Also delivered an elevator pitch on current research at Weber State University’s Research and Engagement Symposium.

Research interests

Cancer research

Her long-term goal is a PhD in biomolecular cancer research, followed by pharmaceutical research. This is a career aspiration alongside her current microbiology work.

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