抖阴视频黄片 Student Turns Class Project into Published Research
July 21, 2026
What began as a class assignment during her freshman year has grown into published scientific research for University of 抖阴视频黄片 student Neleh Bergstrom. Bergstrom, a biology major on the pre-med track, recently co-authored a peer-reviewed research paper in 鈥淧lant Signaling & Behavior鈥� with Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Paul Helfrich. Their study examines how electrical signals move through the Venus flytrap, offering new insight into one of the plant's most fascinating characteristics.
The project began several years earlier in Dr. Bradley Wood’s Biology 160 course. After developing an interest in how living organisms use electrical signals to communicate, Bergstrom chose to write a paper about the Venus flytrap. Rather than ending with the class assignment, that interest continued to grow and eventually became the foundation for an original research project.
Wood said Bergstrom’s accomplishment stands out among undergraduate researchers.
“It’s rare for an undergraduate to produce research worthy of peer-reviewed publication only halfway through a bachelor’s degree,” Dr. Wood said. “Neleh knew as a freshman that she was interested in bioelectricity and began exploring the literature through her BIOB 160 Honors project. Watching that project evolve into a peer-reviewed publication so quickly is truly impressive. I encourage biology students considering graduate or professional school to seek out research opportunities with faculty as early as possible.”
Helfrich said the idea belonged to Bergstrom from the beginning.
“This is really Neleh’s idea,” he said. “I’m someone who can help see research through, but the biggest part of my job is to support students and support student research.”
Together, Bergstrom and Helfrich set out to answer a question that had received little attention: if a Venus flytrap leaf is injured somewhere other than the trap itself, can the plant still generate the electrical signals that normally cause the trap to close?
To investigate, they applied a tiny, controlled thermal injury to the petiole, the section connecting the trap to the rest of the leaf. They found that the injury frequently caused the trap to close, suggesting the plant functions as a connected system rather than a collection of isolated parts. Their findings support the idea that electrical, hydraulic and chemical signaling all work together throughout the plant.
Although Venus flytraps have been studied for centuries, Helfrich said the research offers a broader way of understanding the plant.
“We need to treat this as what it is, which is an integrated system,” he said.
For Bergstrom, the publication represents more than a scientific discovery.
鈥淎s a freshman, I never imagined my research would lead to a publication. It highlights how much I’ve grown as a student. Publishing undergraduate research is something I worked hard for, and it’s encouraging to know I can do work like this,鈥� Bergstrom said. 鈥淢ore than anything, this experience confirmed that I enjoy research and helped shape the direction I want to take with my education.”
Bergstrom credits 抖阴视频黄片’s undergraduate research opportunities and collaborative learning environment for assisting in this opportunity. Funding through the Undergraduate Research Program, close faculty mentorship and a supportive Biology Department gave her the resources and encouragement to pursue the project from idea to publication.
“It’s so nice to have that one-on-one collaboration,” Bergstrom said. “You send an email to one of them and they’re so happy to give advice and help. Having that close-knit community really helps with research.”
Helfrich said Bergstrom’s careful approach to the project was evident throughout the peer-review process.
“I really felt like Neleh didn’t leave any stone unturned,” he said. “The reviewers commented that the work was conducted very carefully and very intentionally.”
Now, Bergstrom is spending the summer conducting research through the competitive ASPET Undergraduate Research Program at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. As she considers medical school or graduate school after earning her degree, she says the experience has broadened her perspective on the opportunities that research can provide.
She also hopes other students at UMW are inspired to pursue undergraduate research if something sparks their interest.
“I would say grab onto something that seems interesting,” Bergstrom said. “Get with a professor and start communicating with them early.”
For Helfrich, Bergstrom’s success reflects what undergraduate research at 抖阴视频黄片 is all about, giving students the opportunity to pursue their own ideas, work alongside faculty mentors and make contributions to their field of study.
“I routinely tell my students that I have the best job in the world because I get to help them explore their interest in biology,” Helfrich said. “This project is a perfect example of curiosity growing into something more. Neleh’s interests led to findings relevant to botany, physiology, and ecology, and I’m thrilled to see her research become part of the scientific record.”
Those interested in learning more can read the full research article,听.听For more information, contact Neleh Bergstrom at聽[email protected]聽or Dr. Paul Helfrich at聽[email protected].听
To learn more about the University of 抖阴视频黄片, visit www.umwestern.edu or call Admissions at 877-683-7331.
