Tyler Bechtel

Tyler is a doctoral student whose research focuses on food microbiology, specifically investigating the stress tolerance mechanisms of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Using population genomic and genome-wide association approaches, Tyler aims to understand how L. monocytogenes persists in the food environment.

As a NE CASC fellow, Tyler facilitates a program for the advocacy, recruitment, and professional development of BIPOC students. This program is designed for the advancement of the Center's DEI initiative and includes collaboration between undergraduate students at HBCUs as well as BIPOC students from local high schools. Tyler will collaborate with faculty and other NE CASC fellows to lead workshops to discuss graduate school and careers in STEM with undergraduate students. Participating fellows will utilize their expertise to inform, and garner interest among underrepresented scholars by discussing topics such as environmental racism and justice. Ultimately, the goal of this project is to build bridges between NE CASC and young scholars from underrepresented communities.