Eye on the Y:  BYU student receives grant to study antibiotic-resistant bacteria in India, BYU celebrates 120 years of opera

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BYU student receives grant to study antibiotic-resistant bacteria in India

Madison Duffy, BYU molecular biology and microbiology student received a travel grant to help fund her research of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that resides in Gwalior, India’s rivers. Duffy’s research covered one of India’s greatest wonders: the Ganges River. Duffy took BYU’s motto “The world is our campus” to heart. (Photo courtesy of Madison Duffy)

BYU molecular biology and microbiology student Madison Duffy received a travel grant to help fund her research of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that resides in Gwalior, India’s rivers. Duffy’s research covered India’s Ganges River. 

Legend says those that bathe in the Ganges will be cured of  any disease. Many incidents of healing are related to the bacteria phages that reside in the river. While the phages reside in the river, there are also many other microorganisms that are present.

India is the world’s number one spot for antibiotic manufacturing factories. As a result, the byproducts of these factories are dumped into the water systems making the rivers a hot spot for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Duffy’s studies in India consisted of collecting water samples and then isolating the bacterial DNA  to potentially find solutions for antibiotic-resistant infections. 

During her three month research, Duffy was also able to experience the culture and hospitality of India. After three months of research and cultural experiences, Duffy said she hopes to use the bacterial DNA she gathered to find treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.

BYU celebrates 120 years of opera

BYU’s fall opera “The Merry Widow” celebrates over 120 years of opera that combines talents of both the School of Music and the Department of the Theatre and Media Arts. Cristy Ruiz plays the part of Hanna Glawari and Logan Reid plays Count Danilo Danilvitch in the operetta. (Photo by Brooklynn Jarvis Kelson/BYU Photo)

BYU’s fall opera “The Merry Widow” celebrates over 120 years of opera that combines talents of both the School of Music and the Department of the Theatre and Media Arts. 

The story follows a wealthy widow Hanna Glawari, who finds true love amongst other potential suitors fighting for her love and attention. Hanna Glawari will be played by Ariana Abadia and Cristy Ruiz. 

BYU has performed opera for over 120 years. Director Shea Owens chose the operetta to not only celebrate this milestone, but to say farewell to the de Jong Concert Hall and highlight the talents of current students in the vocal program.

“The greatest challenge in directing this production has been the scope of it,” Owens said. “The cast this year is about four times larger than the cast of last year’s opera — even the orchestra is bigger.”

Support for the production comes from BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications, School of Music and Department of Theatre and Media Arts. There are a lot of elements that go into this production including marketing, stage management, makeup artists, costume and prop design, lighting, audio,

The operetta consists of over 150 performers from the School of Music and many other areas of BYU. “The Merry Widow” will run from October 19 until October 21.

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