Halmos Faculty Discusses Why Handwashing is Important

At the beginning of February, local ABC affiliate Local 10 News featured a story on bacteria on shopping cart handles. From Davie to Coral Gables and Liberty City to Westchester, Local 10 News investigative reporter Jeff Weinsier went to 10 different locations around South Florida.

Using a special kit, the results showed seven of the 10 samples had high levels of bacteria.

Three of those seven were off the charts, with bacteria counts that were in the billions. Halmos faculty member Robert Smith, Ph.D. was interviewed for the story.  “They picked up a bacteria called Pseudomonas. It can also cause infections.” said Smith. Smith emphasizes that the best way to prevent the spread of infection due to bacteria is to wash your hands.

Smith’s lab focuses on understanding cooperation  and antibiotic resistance in bacteria using a multidisciplinary approach involving quantitative biology and mathematical modeling.