EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is featured in the Winter 2026 edition of The Tartan magazine. Read more from The Tartan at alma.edu/tartan.
Alma College Students Tackle Ecological Crisis with Synthetic Biology
A dedicated group of Alma College students has been diligently addressing a significant environmental threat – the proliferation of White-Nose Syndrome – within the confines of a Dow Science Center laboratory. This devastating fungal disease continues to decimate bat populations across North America, and the students have devoted the past year to researching potential solutions. Their innovative approach to tackling this ecological challenge recently garnered national recognition on an international stage.
The team’s efforts culminated in a trip to Paris, France, where they competed in the 2025 International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Grand Jamboree. This annual event unites over 400 student teams globally, providing a platform to showcase cutting-edge research in the field of synthetic biology. The Alma College iGEM team was awarded a silver medal for their contributions.
“It’s a remarkable accomplishment for a college of our size,” stated Elie Schwarz, the team’s faculty advisor. “Our students are competing at an international level, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with teams from major research universities. It shows the kind of hands-on, interdisciplinary science that Alma does best.” Schwarz believes iGEM perfectly embodies the benefits of a liberal arts education applied to scientific inquiry.
Project “Com-bat-ting White-Nose Syndrome” and its Goals
This year’s iGEM project, aptly named “Com-bat-ting White-Nose Syndrome,” focuses on identifying novel strategies to mitigate the spread of the Pseudogymnoascus destructans fungus. First identified in New York in 2006, this pathogen has been responsible for the deaths of millions of bats, severely impacting ecosystem health. The Alma team’s ultimate objective is to engineer a biological system capable of fostering more resilient and thriving bat populations.
The project’s scope extends beyond laboratory experimentation, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and effective communication. According to Schwarz, iGEM challenges students to envision new possibilities within biology, demanding a holistic approach that encompasses ethics, accessibility, and community impact. Students from diverse academic disciplines – including biology, chemistry, computer science, art, and communication – collaborate to design, test, and disseminate their findings.
International Collaboration and the iGEM Experience
In October, Reagan Keyser, a senior biochemistry major and president of the iGEM team, along with four teammates, presented their research at the Grand Jamboree in Paris. The event facilitated invaluable knowledge exchange with students from around the world, each addressing unique environmental, medical, or agricultural issues through genetic engineering.
Keyser described the experience as “incredible,” highlighting the opportunity to learn from peers tackling similar challenges in diverse global contexts. She emphasized the realization of the field’s global reach and its immense potential for positive change. Joey Colucci, a senior computer science and mathematics major, co-led the team’s “Wiki” division, responsible for creating a comprehensive online platform documenting all facets of the project.
The Importance of Interdisciplinary Approaches to Science
Colucci underscored the critical role of communication in scientific endeavors, explaining that the team’s wiki serves as a central hub for all project information, ensuring accessibility for a broad audience. He noted that iGEM’s strength lies in its inclusivity, bringing together students with varied academic backgrounds. “We have people coding, people in the lab, people doing graphic design and community engagement. There’s something for everyone on this team,” he said.
Schwarz added that synthetic biology is inherently collaborative, requiring creative thinkers, skilled communicators, and individuals capable of bridging the gap between scientific disciplines. He believes this collaborative environment is particularly well-suited to the atmosphere fostered at Alma College.
