Research experiments lead to career discovery for biology major Jett DuVal

As a first-generation college student who loved biology, Jett DuVal’s time learning laboratory techniques, working under the fume hood and mentoring others sparked her desire for a career in research. Confident yet modest about her research and achievements at Bryant, the Biology major has spent the past four years refining her laboratory skills so that she can one day teach students like herself.

She will take her passion to the next level this summer when she teams up with Christine Symanski, Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, to uncover the protective benefits of oligosaccharides in breast milk to develop new therapies and vaccines.

Navigating life beyond high school

A native of Massachusetts, DuVal planned to take a gap year after twelfth grade to attend a Brazil-based program in which she would work with turtles; However, due to the outbreak of the pandemic, the program was canceled and DuVal quickly considered her alternative options. After applying to several schools, she continued her educational journey at Bryant.

During the spring semester of her freshman year, professor of biological and biomedical sciences Christopher Reid, Ph.D., invited DuVal to participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program, where she would conduct research on fungi.

“As a first-generation college student, I had absolutely no expectations from college, which is why I tried so many new things to get the most out of the experience,” says DuVal, who took Reid up on the offer.

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DuVal still felt lost during her sophomore year and suffered academically; But when she resumed her summer research at Reid, working to discover new ways to combat the growing problem of deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria, she was bitten by the research bug.

“At first research was a hobby, and then I realized, ‘wow, I could really do this as a career,’” says DuVal, who has taken her academic performance to the next level, earning straight A’s in her freshman year .

DuVal has subsequently presented her research at the Rhode Island SURF conference, Bryant’s Day of Understanding and REDay, where she won an award this year for her research poster titled “Breaking Free: Selective Amide Hydrolysis in Monosubstituted Glycine Diamides.” She has also presented at several conferences and shared her findings on antibiotic-resistant bacteria at the American Chemical Society National Conference for Chemistry in New Orleans last spring.

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“It’s really amazing to know how close-knit the scientific community is,” says DuVal, noting how she has met and networked with students and researchers from across the country. “Sharing my work and saying, ‘I did that’ is really rewarding.”

Finding her campus support network

The community has played a central role in DuVal’s college experience. As someone who enjoys trying new things, DuVal got involved with Best Buddies, Bryant Skateboarding Club, Ultimate Frisbee, Rugby and Lacrosse. She is a fraternity member, resident assistant, and has worked at the university’s Douglas and Judith Krupp Library and Art Barn.

She notes that Bryant has a strong scholarly community where connections with professors can help find opportunities beyond the Smithfield campus.

“They know the ins and outs of how to succeed,” says DuVal, noting that faculty members helped her navigate the graduate school process and secure a research position at the University of Georgia.

DuVal will take her passion to the next level this summer when she teams up with Christine Symanski, Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, to uncover the protective benefits of oligosaccharides in breast milk to develop new therapies and vaccines. In August, she will begin the University of Georgia’s integrated life sciences program and rotate through three labs before choosing one to work in in early January 2025. After receiving her Ph.D. in microbiology, she hopes to become a university professor.

Reflecting on her achievements over the past four years, DuVal leaves parting words of advice for those still finding their way.

“You don’t have to figure it out,” says DuVal. “Your path will find you.”

This profile has been updated from a previous piece published on December 5, 2023.