When 13-year-old Camarria Williams picked up goose droppings in a Chicago park, she never imagined it could lead to groundbreaking research, the Washington Post reports.
As part of a STEM program, Camarria discovered a novel compound in the sample that exhibits cancer-fighting properties, offering hope for advancing cancer treatment.
Camarria, an eighth-grader at William H. Brown STEM Magnet School in Chicago, was participating in the Chicago Antibiotic Discovery Lab program when she made her discovery. The initiative, run by Professor Brian Murphy of the University of Illinois at Chicago, aims to introduce underserved students to biomedical science through hands-on research.
“I’ve always liked science,” Camarria said. “I didn’t expect something I did would actually work and lead to something so important.”
With guidance from university researchers, she and her peers analyzed various samples, including lake water, leaves, and soil. However, it was Camarria’s goose poop sample from Garfield Park Lagoon that yielded the most significant finding: a compound with cytotoxic activity against ovarian and skin cancer cells.
The compound, studied in Murphy’s lab, was found to lack antibiotic properties but showed potential in fighting cancer. The results were published in the American Chemical Society’s Omega Journal, with Camarria listed as a co-author.
“I feel proud,” Camarria said. “Now people will know I’m curious and smart.”
For Camarria, the discovery was especially meaningful.
“My mom, auntie, and grandma have all had cancer,” she shared. “It makes me happy that something I found could help.”
Murphy explained that while it’s rare for such findings to become drugs, compounds like this are invaluable for understanding cancer mechanisms, paving the way for future therapies.
The program’s impact goes beyond scientific discoveries.
“We want to show students that science has real-world applications,” said Murphy. “Programs like this can spark an interest that leads to future careers in STEM.”
Camarria is already dreaming of her future.
“I want to be a scientist,” she said.
Camarria’s story exemplifies the power of accessible STEM programs to inspire and empower young students.
“This discovery captures the essence of what we aim to achieve: showing youth that their participation and curiosity can lead to incredible outcomes,” Murphy noted.
