Undergraduate Research
Opportunities Center
N e w s l e t t e r | JAN/FEB 2022
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In February, we welcomed a new cohort of McNair Scholars to the UROC family. Designed to assist first-generation, low-income students and those who are underrepresented at the doctoral level, the program was first funded at CSUMB in 2009 and has since successfully served more than 10 cohorts of McNair Scholars. At a recent McNair Orientation for new scholars, we took a deep dive into the background of Dr. Ronald E. McNair whose legacy lives on through the countless students it helps support and we heard from TRIO Associate Director, Kyrstie Lane on the nationwide impact of the federally-funded TRIO program, which got me thinking a lot about the value of partnerships.
The McNair Scholars program continues to grow each year thanks in large part to the commitment shown by a newly established McNair Advisory Collective*, a group of CSUMB staff, faculty, and administrators who were also undergraduate McNair Scholars. The McNair Professional Panel moderated by now McNair Alumni Bryant Tayor that took place during Undergraduate Research Week 2021, was the first event that panelists highlighted the challenges and successes of graduate school persistence. But this event was just the beginning. The McNair Advisory Collective continues to support not just through providing authentic research experiences to McNair students, but with deep and thought provoking conversations about identity and belonging in academia. During the past academic year, they’ve hosted several academic and social development workshops as well as participated in the most recent McNair Orientation making connections with the new and returning McNair cohorts to enrich the McNair community experience at CSUMB. We are most grateful for their support and involvement.
Speaking of partnerships that enrich the student experience, UROC is proud to partner with Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) to offer the Introductory College Apprentice Research Experience (iCARE) program to MPC and CSUMB undergraduate students at the CSUMB campus. Much like our former Community College Apprentice Research Experience (CCARE) program, students in the iCare program will be connected with a faculty mentor to work on a summer long research project with the aim of stimulating participants’ interest in pursuing 4-year STEM degrees.
Exciting times are ahead!
John Banks, Ph.D.
Director of UROC
*McNair Advisory Collective: Renee Penalver, Kiki (Christine) Rosales, Kenny Garcia, Christine Valdez, Chrissy Hernandez, and Juanita Cole. Members also include, Kyrstie Lane, TRIO Associate Director and UROC Staff: Eric Barajas, Corin White, John Banks, and Natasha Oehlman. Faculty & Staff: If you are a former McNair Alum and want to be part of the collective, contact [email protected].
**Image of Liz Gallegos, Robert Tournay, and Buck analyzing data collected during Costa Rica Expedition.
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Meet the New UROC Scholars/McNair Scholars Cohort! |
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Please join us in welcoming the newest cohort of UROC Scholars & McNair Scholars! Thirteen students -- all from diverse disciplines and research areas, spanning across three academic colleges -- will work with faculty research mentors to secure summer research positions at CSUMB and other institutions across the country, present research at academic conferences, and explore leadership opportunities to support their career and graduate school goals. We are excited to be part of their academic journeys and look forward to their growth and development as scholars.
The McNair Scholars Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, prepares academically-talented and motivated undergraduates for doctoral studies, by providing research funding and other opportunities for scholarly advancement.
Welcome to the UROC family!
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Serena Ross, Psychology
Research Mentor: Renee Penalver
Taylor Trivino, Marine Science
Research Mentor: Alison Haupt
Nicholas Romero, Marine Science
Research Mentor: Sherry Palacios
Alexandra Yokomizo, Environmental Science, Technology, and Policy
Research Mentor: John Olson
Ingrid Martinson, Marine Science
Research Mentor: Sherry Palacios
Jissel Antonio, Humanities and Communication
Research Mentor: Chrissy Hernandez
Kattie Padilla, Psychology
Research Mentor: Jill Yamashita
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Kaitlin Roetcisoender, Marine Science
Research Mentor: James Lindholm
Zachary Vayder, Marine Science
Research Mentor: Alison Haupt
Melina Cavett, Marine Science
Research Mentor: Alison Haupt
Gabriel Morales, Social & Behavioral Sciences
Research Mentor: Juan José Gutiérrez
Rosa Elena Acevedo Duran, Psychology
Research Mentor: Jennifer Lovell
Moana Bullock, Marine Science
Research Mentor: Sherry Palacios
Kimberly Smith, Collaborative Health and Human Services
Research Mentor: Jennifer Lovell
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Where in the World are CSUMB McNair Alum? |
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We caught up with Jada Carter, Class of 2021, who is currently in her first year at Wageningen University and Research (WUR) in the Netherlands.
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“A year ago, halfway through the pandemic, restless and looking for a big change, I finalized applications for graduate school at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and Wageningen University and Research (WUR) in the Netherlands. I knew I wanted to go to graduate school right after graduating in December 2020 because taking a year off felt like it would halt my academic momentum too much. I worked hard throughout undergrad, building a CV full of classes, internships, lab experiences, and publications that would be desirable to R1 Universities (Universities with high research output and Ph.D. programs) and I didn't want my circumstances during the pandemic to affect my trajectory. I'd never left the US before though, so while I still intend to do my Ph.D., I decided that a master's would allow me to do a short program where I learn things that were missing in my undergraduate courses and give me the opportunity to get my Ph.D. at a European university later. I chose WUR for its reputation, central location in mainland Europe, and cost of tuition and living.
My first year at Wageningen is coming to an end and I am happy to reflect on my time here. It has been tough to go in and out of lockdown as a graduate student, but luckily, most of my classes have been in person. Besides the weather, the biggest change has been the schedule, where every six weeks I have a new set of classes that deal with some social, cultural, economic, or scientific aspects of agricultural production. As a molecular biologist and chemist, some of these classes can be a bit intense with the new vocabulary and theory given the time frame, but I'm finding my footing.
Next year will be about my thesis and completing an internship. I'm not sure what the internship will look like yet, but in recent weeks I have decided to specialize in soil and will be taking steps toward conducting my thesis with the Soil Biology Department. My project of choice is an evolution study about how selection for above-ground traits in crops has led to changes in the structure of root systems under Cornell University alumnus Marie Zwetsloot. We agreed this project will beautifully marry the skills I gained in undergrad with the skills that I am gaining here at WUR.
On the more social side of things, one of the most extraordinary things about this university is its international nature. I have been able to make friends from a wide range of countries. I am a member of the Erasmus Student Network which is a campus club for international students. One of my closest friends randomly happens to be a UC Merced Alumni from Watsonville (!) and I've met a couple of other Californians. Lastly, I was also able to take advantage of visiting friends from home when I spent part of my holiday break in Italy in the hometown of fellow CSUMB alumni Angela Albanese!"
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Jada (bottom left) and her graduate school cohort |
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Jada Carter visiting CSUMB Alum Angela Albanece in Italy |
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Greenhouse at the University Farm where Jada works |
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METAS Graduate School Conference 2022 |
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Are you applying to graduate school within the next year? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!
The METAS Summer Grad School Conference: Writing Your Application will provide the foundation and resources for a competitive graduate school application. Designed with you in mind, sessions will offer the opportunity to work on parts of your application, so you can get a head start!
Why this summer conference? For doctoral (Ph.D.), master's programs, and professional programs, competitive students start their applications at least 6 months in advance of the admissions deadline. The time to plan is NOW!
Applications due March 24, 2022.
Visit our website for more details and to apply.
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Celebrating National
Undergraduate Research Week!
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Applications for the 2022 Research, Scholarship, & Creative Activity Showcase are now open!
The CSUMB's Research, Scholarship, & Creative Activity Showcase is a forum for students to share their research, scholarship, and creative work within CSUMB and the surrounding community. Students, under the guidance of one or more faculty members within their department, or multiple departments for interdisciplinary projects, are eligible to submit a project to be considered for the showcase. All faculty-mentored research projects are welcomed!
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Congratulations to the following newly published UROC alumni and their research faculty!
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Nikole Babcock, UROC Scholar: Undergraduates and sexual wellness: How do undergrads advocate for their sexual well-being? Culture, Society, and Praxis
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Elizabeth Reyes-Gallegos, UROC Researcher & Dr. John Banks, UROC Director: Insect diversity and abundance measured two decades after farmland conversion to forest using different human-assisted restoration strategies in Gede, Kenya. The Pan-Pacific Entomologist
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The Professor's Corner
By Jenny (Meng-Hsien) Lin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, College of Business
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People often think of business research as having a focus on helping companies become more efficient in making profit, which is true, but it only captures the tip of the iceberg. There are multiple aspects of what businesses bring to the society, including creating value for different stakeholders and providing solutions and solving problems the consumer and society face.
Hence, a key role played by business research, particularly in marketing research, is the study of consumers and to serve as a voice or an advocate for consumers. Consumer research presents evidence to business managers and public policymakers to promote change for the better good of the society, including the consideration of consumer and marketplace wellbeing (such as marginalized consumers) or even animal wellbeing. Findings from consumer research can suggest strategies to inform marketers on how to help consumers make healthier food choices by changing the label or portion sizes; point out the need to better regulate social media/ Internet ads, especially toward vulnerable consumers like children; and support parents in their decision making that may have long lasting impact on children such as education spending.
As corporate social responsibility (CSR) or environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) are becoming more central for assessing businesses and their performance, business research plays a critical role in shaping the future standards and expectations of business operations. For instance, along with my research mentees, Erika Hernandez-Gonzalez (Koret Scholar) and Saray Garcia (McNair Scholar), in their projects we examine how brands should better communicate their sustainable efforts towards the environment without being involved in or perceived as greenwashing. Business research has the opportunity to continue to redefine and reshape what it means to conduct meaningful, responsible and impactful business to better serve the society. For example, in current research projects with Angelica May Amita (McNair Scholar) and Lesly Rocha (Koret Scholar), we study how social media influencers can play a role to support brands in communicating their social impact such as anti-domestic violence or other social movements. And this sums up the value of business research.
Dr. Jenny Lin is a consumer behavioral researcher who was trained as a veterinarian and neuroscientist before integrating her research interests into marketing. She enjoys traveling and people-watching.
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2022 National Undergraduate Research Week is April 18-22! Join UROC throughout the week, UROC for a number of different events and workshops open to all CSUMB students. This year, our keynote speaker is Elizabeth "Liz" Reyes Gallegos, a UROC alum who is currently pursuing a Ph. D. at UC Davis in the Department of Entomology. She recently co-authored a peer-reviewed article with Dr. Banks (to be published in March 2022) on the effects of planting strategies on insect diversity and abundance in a restored East African tropical dry forest in Gede, Kenya. We will end the week with the 2022 Spring Showcase.
Below is a sneak peak of what will be offered throughout the week. More details on each event, can be found on MyRaft.
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From Costa Rica to UC Davis with Elizabeth Reyes Gallegos, CSUMB and UROC Alumna ~ Monday, April 18, 2pm-3pm PST
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What is the GRE? with Dr. Jessica Bautista, Research Associate ~ Monday, April 18, 3pm-4pm PST
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Ethics in Research and Ethics with Dr. Renee Penalver, Assistant Professor ~ April 19, 3pm-4pm PST
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Letters of Recommendation: Tips to Secure Stellar Reference Letters for Any Application a joint workshop between UROC and the Cooperative Learning Center~ April 19, 4pm-5pm PST
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LGBTQ+ in STEM with Charles Scrivner & Spencer Winter, UROC Scholars ~ April 20, 2pm-3pm PST
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Writing to Win: Crafting a Personal Statements for Applications a joint workshop between UROC and the Cooperative Learning Center~ April 20, 3pm-4pm PST
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Demystifying Publishing as an Undergrad with Nikole Babcock, UROC Scholar & Jocelyn Chavez Diaz, McNair Scholar ~ April 21, 2pm-3pm PST
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Graduate School Interviews and Acceptances with Natasha Oehlman, Professional Writing and Communication Associate ~ April 21, 3pm-4pm PST
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Congratulations to the Los Angeles Rams on their Super Bowl victory! |
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Chat with us!
Want to get involved in research but don't know where to start? Set up a virtual consultation on the UROC website!
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