Before the COVID-19 outbreak, Butler Area High School graduate and current Washington & Jefferson College student Kiley Miller had plans to travel to Paris, France, for a lab internship putting both of her majors to work. But when everything was postponed, the challenge didn’t throw her off.

The biology and French double major applied for the National Science Foundation’s research experiences for undergraduates program in search of remote opportunities. Miller earned a position investigating bacteria found in oil pipelines with the University of North Dakota.

She learned new skills, including using genomic software to research sulfate-reducing bacteria in oil pipelines, which produces high levels of hydrogen sulfide and contributes to the corrosion of pipes leading to environmental pollution. Her research is helping to mitigate this issue and create safer, longer-lasting pipelines.