ORNL is proud of its role in fostering the next generation of scientists and engineers. We bring in talented young researchers, team them with accomplished staff members, and put them to work at the lab’s one-of-a-kind facilities. The result is research that makes us proud and prepares them for distinguished careers.
We asked some of these young researchers why they chose a career in science, what they are working on at ORNL, and where they would like to go with their careers.
Omy Tonia Ogbughalu
Postdoc, Biosciences Division
Ph.D., Systems Genetics and Biogeochemistry, University of South Australia
Hometown: Brisbane, Australia; Enugu, Nigeria
What are you working on at ORNL?
My research at ORNL is in systems genetics. Using a suite of molecular and computational tools, I characterize shifts in microbial — self-replicating plasmids, viruses, bacteria, fungi and algae — community structure, which may impact terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem function, to establish how urbanization alters the biogeochemical processes controlled by varied microbial interactions.
What would you like to do in your career?
I would like to develop novel biotechnological tools to predict biogeochemical function and to identify when microbes such as viruses intercept, infect or alter the metabolic activities of other microbial groups. These tools would be able to identify the networking strategies activated by different microbial groups in response to physical, mechanical or chemical perturbations.
Why did you choose a career in science?
I grew up being fascinated by ubiquitous, yet invisible, microbes. Microorganisms are the center of our existence and of medical, agricultural and environmental science. I believe that microbes hold the blueprint to our survival. They can make or mar us. So, for a sustainable environment, I choose to work with them.