The document discusses the field of microbiology and the journey of a scientist. It covers topics ranging from the basic structure and function of microbes like bacteria, viruses, and fungi, to laboratory tools, experiments, and the scientific method. The document emphasizes the importance of microbiology in areas like health, safety, and the environment. It also profiles the career of a microbiologist whose goal is to apply scientific knowledge and experience to ensure product safety through laboratory testing and quality programs.

1. The Journey of a Scientist
Thank you for the chance to
share “science”.
Mr. Boehler

2. Microbiology:
The science of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi)
• Biology
– Microbiology
– Immunology
• Chemistry
• Physics
Summary
– What are microbes?
– cell
– Laboratory Testing with technology.
– Microscopic examination
– Statistics
– Sample Science Data
- Lab Safety
- Group Exercise – with skittles

3. Simple to Complex Life
Human Body Biology
• Humans
• Animals
• Plants
• Mold
• Yeast
• Bacteria
• Viruses

4. Understanding how cells function provides
insight into solving challenging problems
Bacteria Cells:
Help Digestion
Natural Balance
Human Cells
Tissues
Brain, Kidneys, Liver
Pancreas, Stomach,
Heart, Skin, Bones

5. Technology
Nature: glowing fire-fly
Laboratory
Applying the “glowing” mechanism
to the microbiology laboratory
to check products for
Quality.

6. Essential Tools for Young Scientists:
Scientific Method
A. Literature Review =
LIBRARY! 
B. Hypothesis
C. Method
D. Materials
E. Results
F. Discussion
G. Conclusion
• Think!
• Read
• Write!
• Publish
• Present and Prepare to Be Challenged
• Apply learned science in a practical /
helpful way.
– Some Examples =
• Environment
• Product Safety
• Human Health
• Animal Health

7. Environmental Microbiology
Where do bacteria, mold –
& yeast come from?
Plant
Microbes
Soil
Microbes
Water
Microbes
Air
Microbes
Surface
Microbes
Petri Dish containing microbes

8. Soil Microbes
• Bacillus bacteria
Skin Microbes

9. Bacteria from contaminated
water
Gram negative rodsE. coli

10. • What does this mean?
– Although a lot of bacteria out
there are good… there are
some that contain harmful
parts that can make us sick…
– That is why it is important to
always wash hands for an
ample amount of time, using
soap.
– Cook food well, store food
properly and be aware of
expiration dates.

11. 0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
Staph
E. coli
Mold
Negative Control Yeast
MeasuredLight(log)
Microorganism ATP in Lotions,
Sunscreens, Gels & Face/Eye
Serums
Sample Data: how to read a
Graph with science results..?
• Create Summary Data
graph.
• Tool for data analysis
process.

12. Microscope
• Why do we need a
microscope?
• Pathogenic vs.
non-pathogenic
bacteria

13. Some of the things we see in a microscope
Staph aureus Bacillus cereus

14. Mold – yuck; is this mold bad?

15. Yeast

16. Why are fungi so important?
Penicillin medicine Bread rising
• The essentials of any bread dough are
flour, water, and yeast.
• The yeast metabolizes these simple sugars
and exudes a liquid that releases carbon
dioxide and ethyl alcohol into existing air
bubbles in the dough.

17. Safe Products

18. Lab Safety
Protective Personal Equipment
• Safety goggles/glasses
• What should this
lab technician be wearing?

19. Laboratory Measurements
Measurements
• Graduated Cylinder
• Beakers
– Why are accurate
measurements
important in the
lab?
• Formulation of
Media

20. Quantitative Research Experiment
• Candy – count the number of
pieces of candy you have.
• Each piece of candy = a colony
of bacteria.
• Separate the candy (skittles)
into groups based on the color.
• On paper, write the number of
candies for each color.
– Graph the data collected.
• Red = Yeast (rhodotorula)
• Yellow = skin bacteria (staph)
• Orange = bacillus bacteria
• Green = Mold
• Y – axis = number of candy pieces
(number of microorganisms)
• X – axis = type of microorganism

21. Collecting and Summarizing Data
I. Build a Table
Color Number of
pieces
Type of
microorganism
Red 10 Yeast
Green 4 Mold
Yellow 3 Staph
Orange 11 Bacillus
Purple 1 E. coli
Blue 6 Listeria
II. Build a Graph
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Yeast Mold Staph Bacillus E. coli Listeria
MicroorganismColonies
Type and Frequency of Microorganisms
present on school desks

22. Conclusion
• As manager of the Ambix microbiology
lab:
– Test products for market release.
– Document and communicate results.
– Summarize results using statistics and the
scientific method.
– Maintain an environmental monitoring
program.
– Maintain a water quality program.
– Interface with FDA.
– Investigate microbiology related challenges.
– Validate microbiological methods.
– Write and revise Procedures to keep
current.
– Research and Development
• Science is an amazing field to be
in!
– There are many areas of biology.
– I pursued and continue to be
challenged in microbiology with a
goal to ensure that products are
safe.
• The goal is attainable and
successful with the application of
knowledge and experience
– Bachelor of Science Degree –
Biology
(Stony Brook University; 1999)
– Master of Science –
Microbiology / Immunology
(Long Island University; 2002)
– Experience – learned from
mentors; training; U.S. Navy
Reserves and the pursuit of
scientific challenges.