By: Crystal Nowell, DUSRC Intern, Summer 2025
My name is Crystal Nowell, and I am a 20-year-old student at North Carolina Central University, set to graduate in May 2026. I am originally from Raleigh, NC, and this summer I had the incredible opportunity to work with the Duke Superfund Research Center. Under the mentorship of Dr. Claudia Gunsch and Erica Babusci, I worked on Project 5, which focuses on the encapsulation of Trichoderma to enhance bioremediation efforts.
We’re working with a type of fungus called Trichoderma that can help break down PAH, harmful chemicals in the environment. To make it better at surviving and doing its job, we’re trying to encapsulate it, kind of like giving it a shield. This summer, our research focused on testing these protective coatings and seeing how they affect the fungus and how well it works.
One of the best parts of this experience was the flexible and supportive lab environment. Of course, there were days that required more time especially during procedures like PCR, where we had to wait hours between steps and working some Saturdays to stay committed to our timeline. But I was given the freedom and responsibility to make the lab work fit my style, which really helped me. Lab work can be daunting at times because of the long hours and the challenge of balancing it with everyday life. That sense of responsibility, combined with a collaborative team and meaningful mentorship, made the work feel exciting and rewarding.
We also had the chance to attend a graduate student panel featuring students from both NCCU and Duke. It was an eye-opening experience where we learned about different pathways to graduate school, the challenges of securing funding, and how programs like Duke’s offer lab rotations and long-term support. It made the idea of grad school feel less intimidating and more within reach.
We visited Syngenta, a global agricultural science company, and it was absolutely amazing! One of the rooms, used for growing plants with artificial light, was the brightest room I’ve ever been in. The staff walked us through how they create seeds that are resistant to drought and pests, and we learned about gene editing in plants and the importance of pollinators. It was so cool to see the industry side of environmental research and how science is applied in real-world agriculture.
Another highlight was the opportunity to interview professors at Duke. I spoke with around five professors, including one who wasn’t part of the Superfund program at all—she was a physicist working in cosmology! She explained how giant telescopes let us explore the universe and see far beyond our planet. I also interviewed Superfund faculty and learned how all the projects connect. It was fascinating to see the big steps being made
Throughout the program, I got a better understanding of both the academic and industry paths available in environmental science. I saw how many ways there are to make a real impact. These experiences helped me imagine my future as a scientist and gave me a clearer picture of what comes next.
This internship was not just a research experience. I learned so much about environmental science, professional research, and myself. I got to meet other passionate student researchers, build real lab skills, and explore both academic and industrial approaches to solving global problems. I even learned more about graduate school and how to prepare for it!I’m incredibly grateful to Dr. Gunsch, Erica, the Duke Superfund program, and all the mentors and peers who made this summer unforgettable. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience (unless I apply again—fingers crossed!). If you’re a student considering research, I highly recommend this program. You’ll grow more than you ever expected!