In addition to the mentorship from Drs. Rosemary Jagus, Eric Schott, and Tsvetan Bachvaroff and guests, the interns are receiving guidance from UMCES and IMET graduate students. Learn a little about these students and why they decided to get involved as mentors.
Abdul Adaranijo
Abdul is an incoming MS student in the MEES program at UMBC-IMET interested in the intersection between water microbiology, environmental screening, and public health, ultimately studying the health of urban waterways using microbiological and microbial screening techniques.
Abdul said, "As an African Immigrant and a person of color, I realized that people who belong to these marginalized communities often lack representation in spaces like academia. In 2019, I was a summer intern in the IMET internship program where I was able to acquire my first taste of conducting research in a laboratory setting. I was able to make the best of the experience mostly because I had mentors who shared common experiences as marginalized peoples and, therefore, provided support, advice, and resources in ways that were nurturing and relatable. Being a mentor will grant me the opportunity to share my experiences, provide support and be there for others in ways that others have been there for me."
Anya Byrd
Anya Byrd is a second-year PhD student in the MEES program at UMCES-IMET studying the role and activity of the protein mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin - essential for growth in many organisms) in the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab in the lab of Dr. J. Sook Chung.
Anya said, "My very first research internship, working with Dr. Du right here at IMET in the summer of 2015, solidified my love for research (and IMET!), and to think I could be a part of another young scientist really finding a spark and passion was exciting to me. I also just love to give guidance, advice, and help and I knew the summer interns would be eager. Lastly, but certainly not least, as an African American woman, I want to open up this world to others who are also underrepresented in science but want to be here. I know seeing and connecting with people further along in their journey during my internships really gave me hope, despite every bout of imposter syndrome, and I want to be able to be that fuel for someone else."
Paulina Huanca
Paulina Huanca is a second-year PhD student in the MEES program at UMCES studying marine microbial communities that live in Oxygen Minimum Zones in the Pacific Ocean.
Paulina said, "I thought mentoring interns was a great opportunity to gain experience in teaching and working with Undergrad students. Back at home in Chile, I also worked as a mentor for many science outreach activities that were rewarding for me. I met many important scientists and mentors, who were positive influences for me. So I wanted to be a mentor to help and inspire young scientists."
Lauren Jonas
Lauren Jonas is a PhD student in the MEES program at UMCES-IMET studying the potential of microalgae and bacteria to sequester carbon from smokestack exhaust.
Lauren is teaching about microorganims called prokaryotes (i.e., bacteria and archaea). She said, "Teaching bioinformatics to students who may not be familiar with computer science can be really daunting. I really struggled with this a few years ago, so my goal this summer is to prevent as many headaches as possible!"
Olivia Pares
Olivia Pares is a PhD student in the MEES program at UMCES-IMET where she studies disease ecology and life history of the blue crab, Callinectes spp., in Puerto Rico.
Olivia said, "The path towards science in marginalized groups isn't the easiest. This program provides a fantastic opportunity for undergraduate students of underrepresented backgrounds to experience life as scientists by contributing to research and revealing the many possibilities in marine and environmental science. As mentors, we can show them the path we took to get where we are and teach them skills to help them form their own. "