SOAR Member Profiles

Madison Yahn

• SOAR Position: Tennessee Board of Regents Ambassador (2025-2026); Member
• Major: Biology
• Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Elliot Altman

Current Focus: Determining the nature of the genetic variations in Escherichia coli mutants that can robustly utilize acetate as a sole carbon source

Project Description

During the production of bioethanol, acetate is released which acts as a microbial inhibitor. This essentially stalls further production making the usage of bioethanol as a substitute for ethanol unlikely. The goal of this project is to mutate E. coli strains that are able to utilize acetate as a sole carbon source, thus removing it from the reaction and negating this specific issue with bioethanol production.

Why does this topic interest you?

This topic specifically interests me because I enjoy learning about genetics and mutations in general. I love learning the ins and outs and also how to identify these mutations through bioinformatic systems.

What are your professional aspirations?

After graduating I hope to attend a program for genetic counseling and receive a masters degree in the field. I want to help people while also being able to pursue genetics!

Do you have any advice for future researchers?

You might not understand everything you’re doing at the exact moment you’re doing it and that’s okay! Research has so many ins and outs and it’s so difficult to learn every single little bit of information all at once. Learning as you go is completely okay!

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