“It’s that spark,” said Caswell. “The moment they think “I still keep a notebook to this day,” said Johnson. “I live Two weeks before her final semester, in fall 2016, Johnson
‘I didn’t know this existed, so there must be other really in consistent pursuit of learning new things on a variety received an email about the Introduction to Beer Science
interesting things out there, as well’.” of topics; I use that book to take notes that I can draw course and signed up for the course immediately.
back to later.”
Caswell had that effect on Erika Johnson, a former
Introduction to Beer Science student, who currently Johnson’s interest in microbiology was sparked at a
works as a microbiologist at Ion Labs in Largo where young age. Her father, also a microbiologist, allowed
she oversees quality control, probiotic enumeration, her to help in his lab and supported her complex
and the testing of raw materials and finished products science fair projects.
of the labs’ dietary supplements.
“Ultimately, I chose microbiology because I was really
“That course was exactly what
I was looking for. I saw it as
the perfect way to wrap up
my educational career,” said
Johnson.
“That course, mixed with my own life experience, had interested in working in the field of brewing,” said a major impact on me,” said Johnson. “I’ve always Johnson. “My dad works with breweries on the side; While a variety of majors were represented by students
loved beer, but I left that course with such a greater after talking with him, I made the connection that I could enrolled in the course, Johnson’s background in science
understanding and appreciation for what goes into use my microbiology degree to work with brewing in was apparent in the writing style of her investigative
producing it.” some capacity.” reports which was required at the beginning of class
Throughout the course, students are required to keep However, as Johnson was approaching graduation, she taking note of Johnson’s track and points of interest,
a “brewer’s lab notebook, ” used to track progress and discovered that finding work in a lab as an undergraduate is approached her early in the semester with a proposal.
log notes on what they find interesting. not easy. “It’s extremely competitive,” said Johnson. “I tried so
to prepare students for the topic of the day. Caswell,
many times, wrote all of the right emails, but kept striking out.”
“He came up to me and simply said ‘I’m going to make
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