KEYS intern contributes to published work in women’s health research

A KEYS intern helped move a women’s health project forward this year, contributing to work that fed into a short report in the American Society of Microbiology describing the first known uterine isolate of Schaalia turicensis.  

The project aims to identify and cultivate microbes found in the endometrium, the tissue lining the uterus, to give researchers a clearer picture of how these bacteria may relate to conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, adenomyosis, and cancer.  

The isolate described in the report came from a patient with adenomyosis, a debilitating and often difficult-to-diagnose condition associated with pelvic pain, painful periods, and abnormal uterine bleeding. By studying the microbes present, researchers hope to better understand the symptoms of adenomyosis and support the development of more targeted treatments. 

Matthew Hawkins, a 2025 Phoenix KEYS intern, worked under Nicole Jimenez, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, in the lab of BIO5 member Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz, professor of basic medical sciences and director of the Women’s Health Research Program. The lab investigates women’s health through microbiome research, which examines the bacteria naturally present in the body and their potential links to disease. 

Hawkins assisted with growth and characterization of the Schaalia turicensis isolate and completed the computational work needed to formally document it.  

“It’s awesome that I studied one of the first isolates in the endometrium,” said Hawkins. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work in such a great lab and to learn more about women’s health.” 

In addition to generating novel findings, the work helped the lab establish a step-by-step process that future trainees can use to study additional bacteria. 

“Matthew was vital to advancing this project and helped us develop a pipeline for similar analyses that future trainees in the lab could use,” said Jimenez. 

Hawkins’s experience reflects the broader impact of the BIO5 Institute's KEYS program, which has supported high school research training for nearly two decades.  

Each summer, high school students from across Arizona train in biotechnology, data science, and science communication through the KEYS. Interns then work with U of A mentors on active scientific projects that contribute to real research outcomes. 

The program is mutually beneficial. Research labs gain interns who bring new ideas and help move projects forward, while students gain hands-on experience that shapes their academic and professional paths. About 60% of KEYS alumni choose to attend the University of Arizona, and many continue STEM career tracks. 

“KEYS is vital to the research environment,” said Jimenez. “It helps us pursue experiments or projects we may not otherwise have the bandwidth to conduct, brings in fresh perspectives from students new to our work, and provides valuable opportunities for training.” 

The process Hawkins helped develop will now support studies of additional bacteria in the endometrial microbiome. Early data from this project will also support Jimenez as she prepares grant proposals to establish her own lab, extending the impact of the intern’s work well beyond a single summer.