Haylie Morales is an undergraduate researcher in the Nan Lab, where she studies sporulation in Gram-negative bacteria. While sporulation in Gram-positive species is well established, Gram-negative sporulation remains far less understood. By contributing to new discoveries in this field—and preparing to publish her team’s findings—Haylie has learned the importance of persistence and curiosity in research.
Before joining the Nan Lab, Haylie worked in the Brandon Lee Lab at Baylor College of Medicine, where she collaborated with an MD/PhD student on a project studying osteogenesis imperfecta type 5, a rare genetic disorder that affects bone development. That experience showed her how research can directly improve patients’ lives. In contrast, her current project feels more fundamental, but it has helped her see how even basic microbiological research can ripple across multiple scientific and medical fields.
Haylie says research has shaped her personally and professionally—teaching her to problem-solve when experiments don’t go as planned, to collaborate effectively with others, and to grow more patient and resilient. As a pre-dental student, she values the way these skills and experiences will support her future career, especially since microbiology plays such a central role in healthcare.