My Summer in the Repro-EcoTox Lab: Learning Science at the Bench and the Bedside

By: Alexandra (Sasha) Suggs

Where it All Started

This past summer, I had the opportunity to continue my undergraduate research in the Repro-EcoTox Lab, and what began as curiosity quickly became one of the most transformative experiences of my academic journey.

When I arrived at Clemson in Fall 2023, I knew I wanted to be involved in research that connected directly to human health. That interest sharpened when I learned about a new lab being launched by Dr. Kylie Rock, whose work bridges environmental exposures, reproductive biology, and maternal–fetal health. After learning more about her research and meeting with her, I knew this was exactly the environment I was looking for.

During my first three semesters in the lab, I spent time each week building foundational skills, including micropipetting, maintaining sterile technique, and assisting with diverse projects ranging from plant hydroponics to liver cell culture. These experiences gave me a solid grounding in laboratory research, but it wasn’t until this past summer that I truly began to understand what it means to do science from start to finish.

Sasha learning how to culture cells © Kylie Rock

Diving Deep Through the Clemson Creative Inquiry Program

This past summer, I participated in the Clemson Creative Inquiry Program, which allowed me to work intensively alongside Ansley Elkins and Maryam Afghah on projects focused on maternal–fetal pharmacokinetics. Through this program, I gained hands-on experience with RNA extractions, placental tissue culture, cDNA synthesis, and quantitative PCR. These techniques helped me understand how molecular-level changes can influence pregnancy outcomes and fetal development, and how those changes can be measured with precision.

One of the most impactful aspects of the Creative Inquiry experience was learning how to collect human tissue specimens in a clinical setting. I had the opportunity to work in a hospital environment, where I interacted directly with patients to obtain informed consent for placental tissue donation. This experience taught me not only the ethical responsibilities of clinical research, but also how scientific discovery depends on trust, communication, and respect for patients.

Sasha and Maryam at Greenville Memorial Hospital collecting placenta biopsies from consenting patients © Sasha Suggs

Through this work, I developed a deep appreciation for the placenta and its critical role in pregnancy. Often overlooked, the placenta is a dynamic and highly specialized organ that regulates nutrient and oxygen transfer, removes waste, produces essential hormones, and serves as a protective interface between mother and fetus. I learned how placental function can influence fetal exposure to medications and environmental chemicals, and how understanding placental biology is essential for improving maternal–fetal health and guiding safer treatment strategies during pregnancy. Seeing, and dissecting, an actual human placenta reinforced how central this organ is to both developmental biology and clinical medicine.

From the Lab to the Conference Stage

The Creative Inquiry Program also gave me the opportunity to share this work beyond the lab. I presented our research at a regional scientific conference, where I not only gained valuable experience communicating complex science to a broad audience, but also earned first place for my poster presentation. This recognition was incredibly validating and boosted my confidence as an undergraduate researcher.

Looking Ahead...

I am deeply grateful for the mentorship, training, and opportunities I’ve received in the Repro-EcoTox Lab. This experience has been instrumental in shaping my career goals by allowing me to see how research, clinical practice, and patient care intersect. The combination of bench-based molecular biology, clinical tissue collection, and scientific communication has given me a clearer understanding of how research can directly inform medical decision-making and improve patient outcomes.

Top: Sasha and Ansley in front of Sasha's poster at the Southeastern Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology annual meeting. © Paige Powell Bottom: Paige, Ansley, Sasha, Maryam, Mel, and Mary creating and educational video about the hazards of endocrine disrupting chemicals. © Grayson Schrader

As I move forward with plans to pursue a career in medicine, the skills I’ve gained, critical thinking, ethical engagement with patients, data interpretation, and scientific communication, will be invaluable. This summer confirmed my desire to become a physician who not only treats patients, but also understands the research behind clinical guidelines and contributes to advancing maternal–fetal health through evidence-based practice.