Harnessing plant compounds to benefit human health is the topic of Aaron Tollett’s research in the laboratory of Dr. Fabricio Medina-Bolivar. Tollett specifically works with “hairy roots” from plants such as peanut. In response to fungal attack in the field, peanut plants produce defense compounds called stilbenoids. These natural medicinal compounds that protect plants could be neuroprotective for humans as well. Plant-based foods can be bioengineered to contain larger quantities of stilbenoids. “Perhaps in the future, eating the peanuts we engineer would help protect a consumer from Parkinson’s disease or to prevent some cancers,” Medina-Bolivar suggested.
Tollett, a sophomore double-major in Biology and Chemistry, said there weren’t many science activities in his small, rural high school in southwest Arkansas. However, “my high school class visited A-State and toured the Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI) labs and greenhouse. During the tour, one of Medina-Bolivar’s lab members explained the hairy root system. The reason I came to A-State was because I was interested in the work I saw at ABI.”
While most students do not embark on “authentic” research experiences until their junior or senior year, Tollett explored research possibilities at ABI during his first semester of college. He began working in the Medina-Bolivar lab in January 2013 and after only two months, presented a poster of his independent research at a scientific conference. Medina-Bolivar observed, “Aaron became independent right away. I don’t like to micromanage my students and want to see them develop critical thinking skills. Aaron has done that in a short time.” In March 2014, Aaron was selected as one of only six students from around the nation to present an invited talk to the American Chemical Society conference attended by over 10,000 researchers. He was the only student who did not come from a major research institution, and he received first place in the competition.
When asked about his future aspirations, Tollett said, “I’m thinking about education in the sciences because I like working with younger people. I am currently a mentor for the Upward Bound program to teach math and science to high school students.” He reported one source of inspiration is his experience with Medina-Bolivar. “He’s been a great mentor and has taken the time to explain everything in depth. He gives me a lot of information to explore further on my own. I really can’t envision working with anyone else.”
