Today, Jessica Buchser, graduate of West Chester University and entering PhD student at Pennsylvania State University joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss being an older student, how social media and podcasts fueled her interest in the microbial sciences, and her future path as a microbiologist! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Jessica Buchser Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode The video that  Dr. Jennifer Quinn and yours truly did for Harvard University’s Microbial Science Initiative this April. A link to the Microbial Science Initiative. An overview of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Website for West Chester University’s Biology Department, where Jess Buchser just earned her undergraduate degree. The website of Dr. John Pisciotta, one of Jess Buchser’s mentors at West Chester University. The website of Dr. Manu Ramalho, one of Jess Buchser’s mentors at West Chester University (an prior podcast guest for #MattersMicrobial episode #32). The website of Dr. Seth Bordenstein, who will be Jess Bucher’s PhD advisor at Pennsylvania State University in the Fall (and also a prior podcast guest for #MattersMicrobial episode #3). An essay on the importance of mentors and mentorship in the microbial sciences. Useful resources for older and nontraditional undergraduate students in STEM fields.  Here is another essay on this topic. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com