Mississippi State University graduate, Perceus Mody has continued conducting research since his time as a Mississippi INBRE Research Scholar in 2011. After completing the Mississippi INBRE Research Scholars program, Perceus continued to pursue research experience. He continued to work in this lab of his mentor, Dr. Justin Thornton throughout his time at Mississippi State, even receiving a research stipend from the Shackoul’s Honors College. Along with continuing his research, he also presented research at regional conferences, even winning the First Place Undergraduate Student Poster Award at the South Central Branch ASM conference in 2012, receiving a travel award to present his research at the South Central-Texas Branch ASM Conference in 2013, and being awarded second place for his poster presentation at the 7th Annual Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium in 2014.

After finishing his time at Mississippi State University, he completed his undergraduate career at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he did a 13 month certification course in Medical Laboratory Science.

Following his graduation from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Perceus became a Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist by the Tennessee Health Professionals Board. He also volunteered as a phlebotomist at Shade Tree Clinic and published his research entitled “Brodifacoum Inhalation and its Clinical Manifestations in a 21-Year-Old Caucasian Man.”

Currently, Perceus is a Medical Laboratory Scientist in the Microbiology Diagnostic Laboratory at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He was also recently invited to join the Clinical Microbiology Mentoring Committee by ASM.

About his experience as a Mississippi INBRE Research Scholar, Perceus said, “I owe my love for microbiology to Dr. Thornton and thank Mississippi INBRE for giving me that start.”

Congratulations, Perceus! We look forward to seeing where your experience will take you next.