Eleanor Ellsworth, a student from Rhodes College who conducted research under the guidance of Angela Carter, Ph.D., through the Summer in Biomedical Science Undergraduate Research program, secured second place in the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.

Ellsworth presented her summer research project, "Drugs and bugs: How amphetamines alter the garden of the gut," which focused on how amphetamines impact the microbiome to reinforce amphetamine use disorders, at the competition.

Dr. Carter, UAB assistant professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology, specializes in uncovering the mechanisms behind how the microbiome regulates substance use disorders and has received multiple funding sources to further research on this crucial topic.

"Our lab and research team takes great pride in providing support and meaningful growth opportunities to the students participating in summer research programs at UAB," says Carter. "Their progress in research and the recognition of their work is a testament to the successes of the programs and the bright futures of each of the participants. Eleanor demonstrated true dedication and talent over the past few months. I’m very proud of her recognition as one of the top presenters in the Three-Minute Thesis competition."