Pathology Student Discovers New Bacteria Strain Present in Chilifest Mud Sample

Early on Monday, April 13, Texas A&M University pathology graduate students discovered a new lifeform hidden in a mineral sample from the annual festival, Chilifest. 

This year, after attending opening day of the festival,  Pathology & Lab Medicine graduate student Bradley Flask collected a mud sample from Texas A&M Fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon’s “Sand Lot” build. 

“The ground was flooded with watery mud, and, as a scientist, my first thought was naturally to collect a sample,” said Flask. “As I trudged through floating beer cans and empty ZYN containers, I found the perfect mineral source next to the DJ booth.”

Flask brought the sample to his lab on Monday, not sure what to expect when he peered into the microscope. To his shock, they discovered a new strand of bacteria, which they named  Fratelius Mudorrhea, or F. mudorrhea. 

Flask and his team’s identification of a new strain of bacteria has earned them a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in novel bacteria. According to Flask, they are frontrunners for the accolade. 

“I am incredibly proud of my team and our discovery,” said Flask. “ Who knew such great biological advances could be found at Chilifest? Mostly, I just want to thank Sigma Phi Epsilon’s disregard for public safety, without which we would not have F. Mudorrhea.”

As Flask and his team continue to learn more about F. mudorrhea, they encourage next year’s Chilifest goers to keep their eyes peeled for any signs of nascent bacterial growth ; as Flask stressed, you never know what could be floating around in those frat sweat and whiteclaw-infested waters. 

 

— Battman