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For eight weeks this summer, 22 undergraduate students traveled to UC Santa Barbara to participate in the Academic Research Consortium (ARC) and UC Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (LEADS) Scholar program.
For eight weeks this summer, 22 undergraduate students traveled to UC Santa Barbara to participate in the Academic Research Consortium (ARC) and the UC Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (LEADS) Scholar program. Organized by UCSB's Graduate Division, students had the opportunity to engage in research in their area of interest under the mentorship of a UCSB faculty member and graduate student. âStudents also participated in graduate school preparation through weekly professional development workshops and a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) course. âIn addition to these academic pursuits, students participated in social activities, such as visiting the The REEF (The Research Experience and Education Facility) at the Marine Science Institute and bowling at Zodos. UC LEADS and ARC Scholars shared their summer experience on a "Day in the Life" via UCSB Graduate Division's
Instagram channel. The program culminated with students presenting their research at a symposium.
ARC Scholar Valeria Alonso Blanco from UC Santa Cruz commented on how the program has impacted her aspirations. "I can honestly say I liked everything about the program (even the dining hall food). The program built an environment in which every day I continued to grow - academically, professionally, and personally. My mentors always challenged me and they were always there to guide me. Working alongside great intellectuals and always being supported was one of the many things I value from this program. It allowed me to gain the confidence I needed to make the decision of attending graduate school. I was indecisive about continuing higher education because I doubted I was good enough for graduate school. With the help of my mentors and colleagues, I was able to understand that my voice matters and that I have what it takes to succeed in graduate school."
UC LEADS Scholar Victor Hernandez Carreno from UC Merced shared his experience in the program. "The program exposed me to new perspectives in research with guidance and opportunities to grow as an individual. Presenting research was the most valuable experience about the program. It helped me learn what research is and how to convey the science to the public. I was surrounded by individuals who were making plans to become professors. I was taking action in pursuing my Ph.D. by looking at graduate programs and funding. I am certain about my desire and ambition for my graduate education and hope to share the knowledge and experience with my community."
The summer program would not have been a success without the assistance of Director of Admissions and Outreach Walter Boggan; Assistant Director of Outreach Ethny Stewart; Diversity & Outreach Peers Ana Romero and Danny Meza; and the faculty and graduate student mentors.
The 2017 summer scholar participants are listed below. For more information about the Graduate Division's summer programs, visit the outreach page.
2017 Academic Research Consortium Scholars
Ingred Garcia: California State University, Fullerton
Major: Economics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alison Brysk
Graduate Student Mentor: Amanda Oliveria
Valeria Alonso Blanco: UC Santa Cruz
Major: Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melissa Morgan Consoli
Graduate Student Mentor: Adriana Sanchez
Micaela Rodriguez Tovar: UC Santa Barbara
Major: Chicana/o Studies/Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Denise Segura
Graduate Student Mentor: Marisa Salinas
Yanelliz Melchor: California State University, Northridge
Major: Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Miller
Graduate Student Mentor: Nikki Marinsek
Mariah Nelson: Bloomfield College
Major: Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Victor Rios
Graduate Student Mentor: Liliana V. Rodriguez
Edith Melendez: Eastern Washington University
Major: Applied Developmental Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Maryam Kia-Keating
Graduate Student Mentor: Ida Taghavi
Kimberly Madrigal: California State University, Fullerton
Major: Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Denise Segura
Graduate Student Mentor: Fatima Suarez
Miguel Martinez: Cornell University
Major: Political Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Narayani Lasala-Blanco
Graduate Student Mentor: Sam Fontaine & Daniel Gomez
2017 UC LEADS Scholars
Ronnie Garcia: UC Los Angeles
Major: Chemistry-Material Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Craig Hawker
Graduate Student Mentor: Neil Dolinski
Alejandra Gonzales: UC Los Angeles
Major: Chemistry-Material Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Guillermo Bazan
Graduate Student Mentor: Michael Ford
Rachel Miller: UC San Diego
Major: Nano-Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Chabinyc
Graduate Student Mentor: Eunhee Lim
Kirolos Kelada: UC Irvine
Major: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cyrus Safinya
Graduate Student Mentor: Victoria Steffes
Felix Marcia: UC Riverside
Major: Physics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Stuart
Graduate Student Mentor: Ryan Heller
Anthony Salazar: UC Berkeley
Major: Material Science & Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Chris Palmstrom
Graduate Student Mentor: Dan Pennachio
Victor Hernandez Carreno: UC Merced
Major: Material Science & Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Irene Beyerlein
Graduate Student Mentor: Brandon Leu
Daniel Chu: UC Santa Barbara
Major: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Baron Peters
Kathryn Feerst: UC Santa Barbara
Major: CCS Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thomas Turner
Graduate Student Mentor: Michael Shahandeh
Mary Lopez-Isidro: UC Santa Barbara
Major: Pre-Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Carolina Arias
Ali Mahadi: UC Santa Barbara
Major: Pre-Chemistry
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ram Seshadri
Graduate Student Mentor: Brian Barraza
Isabella Mayorga: UC Santa Barbara
Major: Material Science & Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Hillary Young
Graduate Student Mentor: Devyn Orr
Anoop Praturu: UC Santa Barbara
Major: Physics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Siang Peng Oh
Post Doc. Mentor: Dr. Mike McCourt