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South Brunswick Native Named to Popular Science's 'Brilliant 10'

Mya Breitbart is a professor at the University of South Florida.

Popular Science has designated a South Brunswick native as one of the “brightest young scientific minds” in the country, nj.com reports.

Mya Breitbart, an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida, was named one of the magazine’s “Brilliant 10” for 2013, according to the report.

The 35-year-old Breitbart is an Associate Professor of Biological Oceanography.

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She helped develop metagenomics, a way of using DNA analysis to identify mysterious viruses, according to the report. The method can be applied to numerous and varying samples. Currently, there is no single test that applies to all viruses, according to the report.

According to Popular Science, Breitbart recently found mosquitoes, whiteflies and dragonflies spread viruses by picking up dinner from various sources. She nicknamed them “flying syringes.”

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She told the magazine this may help her find pathogens early, rather than waiting for an outbreak.

“Absolutely honored to be named one of @PopSci 's Brilliant 10 - thanks to everyone!!!” Breitbart said on her Twitter account earlier this week.


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