Science students get research opportunity

  This summer Arizona Western College and Northern Arizona University-Yuma students will be working with top university professors in the United States.

  The National Science Foundation has awarded these undergraduate biology, environmental science, physics and chemistry students funds to attend universities around the country for 10 weeks.

  During those 10 weeks, the "science students are paired with a university research professor and work with this professor throughout the summer assisting on his/her research projects. At the end of the 10 weeks, the student presents their results to the campus community and in some cases they attend a national conference to showcase their research," according to a AWC news release.

  Tim Whittier, AWC and NAU professor of environmental science, said the science foundation is "a federal agency that provides funding for basic scientific research for all types of science."

  Every year the foundation awards Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) funds, which pay for the students' travel along with their room and board. The money also pays the students $5,000 for the 10 weeks, and the students can earn up to six credits while at the university.

  Kourtney McClellan is a biology major and will go to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. She will be participating in ecological and environment research such as "linkages between mercury loading to reservoirs and wildfires in their watersheds," according to the release.

  McClellan said that the REU "will give me research experiences in a environmental science field ... and by doing this research project it will help me prosper and bring me closer to deciding which career path I want to do - either marine biology or medical doctor."

  "These (REUs) are a big deal," Whittier said. "It gives (the students) an opportunity to experience large universities. They are paired with a top researcher ..., and it builds up their resume."

  There are usually six to eight positions open per school, and there can be 500 applicants for these positions, Whittier said.

  Scott Clanton is a environmental science major who will also go to NAU. He will be part of an ongoing ecological study in the piñon-juniper woodland surrounding Flagstaff.

  "I'm looking forward to getting out of Yuma and doing the research. I love meeting new people, and experiencing a place that I have never lived in. And it gives me a chance to explore that area," he said.

  Every January, AWC and NAU announce that internships will be awarded by the science foundation. The students who are interested must meet the foundation's qualifications and begin by contacting the university and offering their resume and transcripts, Whittier said.

  "They get letters from (AWC and NAU) professors and write a personal statement, and then they write another essay on why they should be accepted into the program," Whittier said.

  "These kids are just really prepared, and a lot of our kids aren't rich, but they are hard workers and are humble. And that is usually what these researchers want," he said.

  Stephanie McCormick is an environmental science major and will go to NAU. "I will be studying orchids. We will be studying the genetics on it - like the pollination."

  She said that one of the things she looks forward to about the REU is the trip to Flagstaff. "I've never spent much time outside of Yuma. And just the whole experience. This is my first internship, and I don't know what to expect (but) I'm looking forward to it."

  Danielle Martin is a biology major who will be going to the University of Nebraska. She will be studying Staphylococcus aureus, which are microorganisms that survive with limited nutrients.

  She said that "the science (and English) faculty was extremely helpful in assisting all of us in the application process."

   "It makes me really excited that these students are recognized ... and when they come back they are a completely different student," said Whittier. "They are doing things that we (teachers) only dream of."

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REU STUDENTS

  AWC/NAU Research Experiences for Undergraduates participants, their majors and where they'll attend:

  - Ernesto Rodriguez - environmental science, Northern Arizona University

  - Ivan Sanchez - biology, Brigham Young University

  - Garrick Sims - environmental science, University of Michigan Biological Station

  - Tatum Tirado - physics, Illinois Institute of Technology Engineering Center for Diabetes Research

  - Stephanie McCormick - environmental science, NAU

  - Mary Edmonds - chemistry, University of Maryland

  - Hector Aceves -environmental science, Montana State University

  - Alex Ramshower - environmental science, University of California-Davis

  - Cesar Baptiste - biology, James Madison University

  - Kourtney McClellan - biology, attend NAU

  - Francisco Flores - biology, NAU

  - Scott Clanton - environmental science, NAU

  - Danielle Martin - biology, University of Nebraska

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Jennifer Lovell can be reached at
jlovell@yumasun.com or 539-6849.