Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center
N e w s l e t t e r | N O V / D E C 2 0 2 1
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Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday that the semester began and suddenly finals week is upon us. Well, much like our students, UROC has continued staying busy all semester long. Earlier this month, we closed our applications for the UROC Scholars/McNair Scholars Program, UROC Researchers, Koret Scholars, and LSAMP Rising Researchers program. Thanks in large part to Dr. Jessica Bautista, Research Associate, we received many applications from students across disciplines eager to conduct undergraduate research and we are excited to help them get started. Not to worry if you missed the deadline either; we’ll be opening applications for the Researchers Summer Program sometime in April.
We are also excited to announce that CSUMB has been awarded a $975,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase participation in the food, agriculture, natural resources and human (FANH) science fields. This effort, a collaboration led by UROC and Dr. J.P. Dundore-Arias, Department of Biology and Chemistry, with colleagues at UC Santa Cruz, will help address the gaps in equity among underrepresented students in the FANH sciences as well as provide grad school and workforce preparation. We’re thrilled to play our part as the Agricultural Plant and Soil Sciences program continues to grow at CSUMB.
On behalf of all of us at UROC, I wish you all a great winter break. We look forward to seeing you in 2022!
John “Buck” Banks, Ph.D.
Director of UROC
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Thankful for our UROC Mentors |
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As we reflect on the end of the year, we want to express our deep gratitude to all UROC our research mentors, both faculty and staff. Helping students achieve academic success and scholarship truly requires the support of many. Below are words of gratitude from select undergraduate researchers. |
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Dr. Jenny (Meng-Hsien) Lin,
College of Business
"I would like to thank Jenny for being so encouraging and pushing me outside of my comfort zone. She has been an incredible mentor to work with and one of the best role models that I could ever ask for. Because of her guidance, I am continuously learning more about our projects and generating new ideas for future research. I appreciate everything that she has done, and I look forward to continuing working with her. Thank you."
-Angelica May Amita, McNair Scholar
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Dr. Cheryl Logan,
Department of Marine Science
“I would like to extend my sincere aloha to Dr. Cheryl Logan, who has mentored me for the past two years. Not only has she supported me in achieving my personal and academic goals, but she continuously serves as the perfect role model for students who aim to become future professors and mentors like me. Mahalo iā Cheryl!”
-Kaiku Kaholoaa, McNair Scholar
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Dr. JP Dundore-Arias,
Department of Biology and Chemistry
"I would like to thank Dr. JP Dundore-Arias for welcoming me into the Plant Pathology Lab during a transition from virtual to in-person research. Thank you for always giving your full support and investing in the professional and personal development of all of your lab members. In my short time as an undergraduate researcher, I have gained overwhelming confidence in myself. I look forward to continuing to work with you!"
-Morgan Raimondo, UROC Researcher & Monterey Historical Society Albert Jensen Agricultural Scholarship Recipient
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Dr. Chrissy Hernandez,
Service Learning Institute
"Dr. Chrissy Hernandez has been such an influential teacher and mentor. Chrissy genuinely cares for her students and the individuals she works with. In addition, she has done incredible research that truly impacts students and communities. Chrissy is an amazing role model, instructor, mentor, and person. She and her work have inspired me as a student and future leader."
-Korina McKinley, Koret Scholar
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Dr. John Olson,
Department of Applied
Environmental Science
“I would like to thank Dr. John Olson for providing me with the opportunity to travel for fieldwork. This has broadened my worldview. I owe my successes to patterning after his ‘can-do mentality’ and easy to understand communication style.”
-Gretchen Wichman, UROC Scholar
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Dr. Kelly Medina-Lopéz,
School of Humanities and Communication
“I would like to sincerely give thanks to Kelly for always supporting my goals and aspirations. Thank you for validating my experiences and teaching me so much about academia. I am proud to have such a strong role model like you on my team. I appreciate you!”
-Jocelyn Chavez Diaz, McNair Scholar
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Congratulations to our Fall Research Competition Winners! |
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Congratulations to the winners of this year's Fall Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Competition! Ten outstanding presentations represented seven different disciplines to over thirty people in attendance and another fifty virtually. Visit our Fall Competition page for more details on all the student presenters. All presenters are encouraged to apply for the 35 Annual CSU Student Research Competition hosted by San Francisco State University April 29-30, 2022. Find out more about the competition. Thanks to everyone who joined us and we hope to see you next year!
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1st Place: Spencer Winter, Psychology. "Adult Neurogenesis in The Fish Model Speckled Sanddab." Faculty Mentor: Dr. Zurine De Miguel, Psychology Department
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2nd Place: Morgan Raimondo, Biology. "Characterizing the Composition and Function of Soilborne Streptomyces from the Salinas Valley." Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jose Pablo Dundore-Arias, Department of Biology & Chemistry
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3rd Place (tie): Alicia Del Toro, Marine Science. "Population Densities of Black Abalone Along the Monterey Peninsula." Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alison Haupt, Department of Marine Science; Charles Scrivner, Marine Science. "Discriminating Green, Benthic Endmembers in Coastal Systems Using Novel Hyperspectral Satellite Imagery." Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sherry Palacios, Department of Marine Science
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(From left to right): Morgan Raimondo, Charles Scrivner, Spencer Winter, Alicia Del Toro |
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After representing UROC for nearly 7.5 years, we bid adieu to Dr. Heather Haeger, Associate Director of Educational Assessment who has accepted a position with the University of Arizona as the Research Director of the STEM Learning Center.
Since joining in 2014, Heather has been an integral part in helping create more inclusive research environments for undergraduate students, decreasing barriers that discourage students from pursuing research experiences, and mentoring countless students in their pursuit of graduate school. She has presented her research at over 20 different conferences over the years, including meetings organized by CUR, AAC&U, and HIPs in the States. Heather has also been instrumental in securing a number of grants, (i.e. Department of Education HSI-STEM, Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program). She was the PI for the NSF IUSE grant this past year which will continue to fund undergraduate research over the next several years. Heather’s contributions have really helped UROC grow in unimaginable ways. And, she’s been an AMAZING colleague to work with and learn from, too.
Thanks, Heather! We’ll miss you!
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Heather celebrating 5 years of service in January 2020 |
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Heather and Natasha (right). caught in a blizzard at the AACU conference in January 2016 |
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Heather with Camille Smith in 2019 |
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Suzanne (left) and Heather sporting their custom made CSUMB jackets in November 2021 |
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Heather and her son, Cam, with the
2018 UROC Scholars cohort
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Congratulations to the following newly published UROC alumni and their research faculty!
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Charles Nye, UROC Researcher: Observing Life in the Sea Using Environmental DNA. Oceanography
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Kiegan Lloyd, UROC Researcher: What do they mean by a potent man?:' Medical Views on Impotence in Early Modern France. Center for Renaissance and Reformation Studies
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Kiegan Lloyd, UROC Researcher: ‘My love is as a fever:' Medical Discourse on Lovesickness, Imagination and Emotions in Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century France. The Mirror: Undergraduate History Journal
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Congratulations to the following UROCers who will begin new chapters in their lives as CSUMB Graduates! Be sure to keep in touch and join us at our upcoming spring year-end celebration in 2022. |
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Stephany Barrera, Dewar Scholar, Cinematic Arts and Technology
Paula Beltran, Koret Scholar, Collaborative Health and Human Services
Paulina Cadena, McNair Scholar, Biology
Ahtziri Carranza Medrano, McNair Scholar, Environmental Studies
Leta Dawson, LSAMP Rising Researcher, Marine Science
Angel Diaz, UROC Scholar, Psychology
Alicia Del Toro, UROC Researcher, Marine Science
Mariana Duarte, McNair Scholar, Computer Science
Xenia Enriquez, McNair Scholar, Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Gloria Greenstein, UROC Researcher, Biology
Michael Haidar, Koret Scholar, Computer Science & Psychology
Hana Jacinto, Koret Scholar, Japanese Language and Culture
Kaiku Kaholoaa, McNair Scholar, Biology
Laney Klunis, UROC Scholar, Marine Science
Vicki Meraz, McNair Scholar, Biology
Jesus Orozco, McNair Scholar, Humanities and Communication
Francis Nguyen, UROC Researcher, Marine Science
Carlos Rosas, McNair Scholar, Biology
Jordan Velasco, UROC Scholar, Marine Science
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Working on a summer research application, fellowship, scholarship, or research graduate school application? Come write with us! UROC will be hosting a special 5-session series where you’ll get uninterrupted time to write; goal setting on your writing project; and opportunities to ask brief questions on your application or writing.
Sessions will run from January 6 to January 20, 2022 from 1-2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. Registration: MyRaft.
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Have a great winter break!
See you in 2022!
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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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