Schoolgirl’s Matriculation Thesis Gave Her the Chance to Try Out the Career of a Scientist

At a time when universities have already started their academic terms, school students in their final years are actively preparing for next year’s national exams. In addition to traditional learning methods, some students are preparing special matriculation papers which, if successful, will significantly increase their chances of getting into their desired study programme.

Vilnius University encourages the early involvement of students in scientific activities and invites schools to follow the example of the Vilnius Lyceum, with which it signed a cooperation agreement on 13 September this year. Augustė Kirkliauskaitė, a student of class IVc at Vilnius Lyceum, together with her study supervisor, biology teacher Alyda Daulenskienė, and advisor, Assoc. Prof. Tomas Kačergis (Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University), completed her thesis on The Effect of Extracts of Thyme, Chamomile and Sage on Streptococcus Mutans Biofilm Formation.

According to Assist. Prof. Tomas Kačergius, the aim of this research was to evaluate the ability of extracts of medicinal plants (thyme, chamomile, sage), widely used in Lithuanian folk medicine, to inhibit the viability and/or biofilm formation of S. mutans, a microorganism that causes infections of the oral and cardiovascular systems. The results of the research show that thyme and sage extracts have the ability to strongly inhibit S. mutans biofilm formation under in vitro conditions. Therefore, according to the researcher, these herbal extracts could be used to prevent oral diseases (e.g., dental cavities), and cardiovascular infections (e.g., infective endocarditis).
We talk to Augustė Kirkliauskaitė about her study and the other challenges and opportunities facing school graduates.

Augustė, please, briefly tell us about yourself.

I am currently a student at the Vilnius Lyceum. I am in the twelfth grade, and this is my most important activity. I study hard all week in class and try to get as much done as possible. When I get home, I also spend a lot of time doing homework and studying, so that I don’t fall behind.
My daily routine is quite boring at the moment, but at weekends I try to relax, take some time for myself and take a mental break. I am interested in biology and many of my other hobbies, like spending time in nature, or watching documentaries, are related to biology. Of course, like many of my peers, I like to read books, watch TV series and spend time with my friends. I really enjoy walks in nature, which is probably the best way to relax and find inner peace.

When did you get interested in biology?

I think I was born with this interest. I was attracted to it from a very young age, and my dad was probably a big influence. He not only nurtured my interest but also actively encouraged it by talking with me about more and more interesting things. I noticed very early on that the information in biology lessons was, as it were, already somewhere in my head. You don’t even have to study intensively or repeat yourself to get a good grade. Sometimes I don’t even know where I got this or that knowledge from. Probably inherited from my dad! (smiles) Later, I realised even more clearly that I was very interested in biology lessons and I enjoy what they bring.

What are your future plans? Do you know what studies you will choose?

I am not sure yet... Everything is still changing in my head. I am well aware that my choice will have a decisive impact on my whole life, so I don’t want to rush. However, I hope that in one context or another I will be able to continue my interest in the biological sciences.

I know you are conscientiously preparing for the upcoming exams and that you want to make the most of every opportunity to secure the highest possible entrance score. To achieve your goal, you are working on your thesis entitled The Effect of Extracts of Thyme, Chamomile and Sage on the Streptococcus mutants Biofilm Formation.

Could you briefly tell us about it?

It’s no secret that you can choose to do a final paper at school, which adds extra points to your final results. I think it is worth making the most of the opportunities. I chose a topic that I honestly found interesting and meaningful. Naturally, it was related to biology (smiles).

My biology teacher helped me a lot and Dr. Tomas Kačergius, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, advised me. I discussed with them the fact that tooth decay is a very acute problem nowadays. I learnt something new to me, which is that biofilm plays a big role in the development of cavities. Our grandmothers used to suggest that we rinse our mouths with thyme, sage and chamomile to prevent decay. I thought it would be interesting to see how this advice works in practice and whether these herbs protect our teeth.

The study found that chamomile, which is the most commonly used mouthwash, was the least effective. The experimental trial itself lasted about a month, and I have been describing it for almost three months. So, there will be a lot of content to put in the paper.

How do you feel about the opportunity to work on a project with a scientist while still at school?

For me, it is an invaluable experience and a great opportunity to see if this kind of activity is suitable and enjoyable. I got a chance to see the future, in a way, and to “try on” the specifics of scientific work. Also, there was an incentive for me to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. But now I realise that it is first and foremost an experience that provides a broader understanding and experience. That month in the lab at Vilnius University was very inspiring and made me feel like a real researcher for a brief time.

What new things did you learn from this project? What new skills did you acquire?

The most important experience was the brand new skill of time management. I had to very precisely plan the whole process of the experiment and its description. I also discovered completely different aspects of information search. Until now, I had never had to deal with finding scientific information and “translating” it into everyday language. It was a completely new experience for me.

Vilnius University will soon invite senior students to the traditional Student for a Day event. Are you planning to participate?

Definitely yes! I am really looking forward to this event to test my willingness and potential. I know for a fact that not only I but also many of my classmates will be participating.