Mentioned as contributor in low-tier journal paper, will this help or am I still in trouble due to only 6mo xp? Found out recently that work I helped out in undergrad (u know undergrads, nothing insane) with finally hit the press in a low-tier specialty biology subfield journal. I'm no author, just a contributor.

I only had 6mo xp, seemed that and my terrible gpa was barely enough to get into a decent low tier masters program (got super ill couldn't attend). 

I'd ultimately like a PhD but being out of school with limited transport internships seem out of the question. I have taken up substitute teaching in the mean time.

tldr; I'm wondering with this little mention if I can at least try a mid tier master's biology program or if my mere 6mo lab xp will still scare people away. 