Navid Adnani and Tom Wyche, graduate students in the pharmaceutical sciences lab of Tim Bugni, PhD, assistant professor in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, spend most days investigating marine invertebrate associated bacteria to understand bacterial diversity within whole animal tissues and to explore the therapeutic potential of bacterial produced natural products. The first weekend in June Adnani and Wyche explored a different side of marine life as they were among 60 divers from Madison Scuba who volunteered for the annual “Take a Stake in the Lakes” dive clean-up of Lake Monona.
Diving just off of Monona Terrace, approximately 400 pounds of trash was removed from the water. Items collected ranged from the expected– beer cans, bottles, cigarette cartons and fishing gear and line, to more startling debris such as rebar, metal barrels, chairs from the Terrace, and one bike. Accompanying the divers were nine kayakers who provided surface support and three individuals doing shoreline clean-up. MadisonScuba is located in Sun Prairie, Wis. Barry Gidal, PharmD, RPh, professor (CHS), and Divison Chair for the Pharmacy Practice Division, also participated in the dive.
