Students embrace research at REUs

Students across multiple disciplines at the University of North Georgia (UNG) took part in National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and similar programs across the country this summer. Those who participated in such opportunities included:

• Aidan Bailey, chemistry, Clemson University
• Elijah Blesch, physics, UNG
• Zoe Byrne, chemistry, Department of Energy Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship at Brookhaven National Laboratory
• Jennifer Claxton, chemistry, University of Mississippi
• Alan Cortes, biology, Purdue University
• Riley Flack, physics, UNG
• Millie Martin, biology, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
• Max McWilliams, psychology, University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill
• Claudia Montelbano, biology, Montana State University
• Lacey Nichols, chemistry, University of Mississippi
• Lane Nichols, physics, UNG
• Violeta Rico-Gomez, biology, University of Nebraska
• Robert Sloe, mathematics and physics, University of West Virginia
• Thomas Stephens, chemistry, University of Mississippi
• Miguel Vilchis Tinoco, biology, California-Berkeley

Montelbano, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in biology, said her experiences at UNG prepared her well for the Extreme Biofilms REU at Montana State under the direction of Dr. Dana Skorupa. Her REU focused on using bacteria to produce a fruit enzyme to help study how antioxidants break down when mixing bananas and berries.

"I got a close-up view of what graduate school could look like, and I could see myself doing it," Montelbano said. "Grad school can seem impossible, but this REU made it feel within reach."

She said Julianne Reynolds, program director for the McNair Scholars; Dr. Ghulam Hasnain, associate professor of biology; and Dr. Brittany Barron, coordinator of Nationally Competitive Scholarships, have served as important mentors for her at UNG. At 28 years old, Montelbano hopes her success can inspire others to realize they can go back to college.

"Nontraditional students succeed at UNG," she said.

Sloe, a senior from Alpharetta, Georgia, pursuing degrees in mathematics and physics, conducted his REU research under the direction of Dr. Giulia Murtas, focusing on simulating solar flares. His goal is to attend graduate school, earn a Ph.D., work in a national lab or NASA for a decade or two, then become a professor.

"My REU was the most important step I've taken toward grad school. It completely changed my view and showed me this is what I really want to do," Sloe said. "I was getting paid to do something I would do in my free time."

Claxton, a senior from Dahlonega, Georgia, pursuing a degree in chemistry, said her UNG professors Dr. Brad Herbert and Dr. Ryan Meier encouraged her to apply for an REU.

"Being pushed to be uncomfortable ended up making me more confident in my own skills," Claxton said. "I realized I belong and I can do these things."

Her REU at the University of Mississippi under the direction of Dr. Vignesh Sundaresan focused on electrodepositing gold onto electrodes. She can later use these electrodes to fabricate a device to study reactions at nanoscale, which can be used in biosensors for applications such as diabetes monitors. She also made helpful connections and hopes to return to Mississippi for graduate school in Sundaresan's lab.

Martin, a senior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in biology and a minor in neuroscience, has taken part in a pair of research projects at UNG: one with Dr. Erin Barding on wildlife camera trap footage and another with Dr. Ryan Shanks, Dr. Meg Smith and Barding on caterpillars' behavioral and perceptive systems.

"Those projects helped me show that I had initiative and prepared me to do what I would be doing at my REU," Martin said.

She worked with Dr. Laura O'Dell at UTEP on research into the relationship between nicotine withdrawal severity and ovarian female hormones. It is exactly the kind of women's health research she hopes to continue in the future because of the toll she has seen a lack of research take on her friends' medical journeys and day-to-day quality of life.

Martin displayed tenacity in applying for 27 REUs and being accepted to two. She will always be grateful for her time at UTEP.

"This REU helped to boost my confidence in my path to higher education by allowing me to perform graduate-level research," Martin said. "It has ultimately confirmed my goals of pursuing graduate training and a career in biomedical research."

McWilliams, a sophomore from Alpharetta, Georgia, pursuing a degree in psychology, took part in his REU at UNC right before transferring into UNG from Morehouse College this fall.

McWilliams' REU under the direction of Dr. Shauna Cooper researched the effect of Black fathers and the support they receive on their children's development. He was the youngest of the eight participants in his REU, as all others were preparing for their senior years.

"It was an amazing experience to start so early, and I'm hoping to continue that," McWilliams said.

McWilliams, who is also pursuing a minor in neuroscience, is already looking forward to the research and other chances for growth UNG has available in the Department of Psychological Science.

"I have an opportunity to set myself up for the future," McWilliams said. "Dr. Bryan Dawson opened my eyes to many of the opportunities available here."

Vilchis Tinoco, a senior from Jefferson, Georgia, pursuing a degree in biology, worked under the direction of Dr. Silvia Bunge at Berkeley, analyzing brain activity through hemoglobin. He said his foundation in literature review and research techniques at UNG helped him this summer. Vilchis Tinoco said his REU was a transformational experience.

"Everybody was pushing each other to their max," he said. "The environment made me a better scientist. I wouldn't trade it for anything."

His goal is to earn a master's degree in neuroscience or a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology so he can research the impact of toxic stress. Vilchis Tinoco's time at Berkeley only further fueled his fire.

"I experienced the life of a researcher, and I want it," he said. "This makes my goals feel more achievable."

Rico-Gomez, a junior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in biology, said faculty in UNG's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholars (STEMS) Program and McNair Scholars Program helped her find an REU. The STEMS Program, funded by the NSF, provides scholarship funds, up to $10,000 per student per academic year, for students in STEM fields (excluding healthcare fields) at UNG and assists these students with research-based support practices.

Dr. Emilia Sola Garcia, a lecturer of biology who mentors Rico-Gomez on a UNG research project, also encouraged her to apply for an REU. Rico-Gomez said the REU was "eye-opening" to all the career possibilities in entomology. She plans to attend graduate school and become a professor of entomology. Rico-Gomez hopes others will seek out REUs as part of their UNG journey.

"Give yourself as many opportunities as possible and seek mentorship so you can figure out what brings you joy and purpose in your career," Rico-Gomez said.