Shooting for the Stars: McNair Scholars’ Research Program Culminates in Presentations

The McNair Legacy

Ronald Ervin McNair was an extraordinary man. A research scientist for Hughes Aerospace, he received his doctorate in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Known for his positive outlook and scholarly excellence, he became the second African American astronaut in the United States space program. Although he died in the space shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986, his legacy continues with the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program.

The federally funded national program serves low-income, first generation and traditionally underrepresented students, helping them prepare for graduate study and careers in college teaching. Research and research writing are strongly emphasized, and students are encouraged to hone their critical thinking and writing skills. During the summer, McNair Scholars participate in rigorous five-week research programs that offer opportunities for them to study areas of academic interest with the help of faculty mentors. Students then present their projects at the Cal Poly Pomona Summer Symposium and national and regional conferences.

Cal Poly Pomona’s McNair Scholars Program Summer Symposium

From investigating the race and gender differences in body images to assessing the folate status of women in childbearing age, 19 Cal Poly Pomona McNair Scholars offered glimpses into their research at the McNair Scholars Summer Symposium on Aug. 2.

“The McNair Scholars Program enhances students’ skills and provides them with valuable research experience and inspiration that will give them a distinct advantage when they undertake the demands of graduate study,” said Frank Torres, director of the program.

After discussing her research on folates, Animal Science senior Hiroko Hata said that despite a case of the butterflies, the project was fun.

“The research project was really helpful,” she said. “I’ve learned so much more about research and design. I have a better idea what I want to do now. I know I want a Ph.D.”

After the presentations, the students enjoyed a Recognition Luncheon. President Bob Suzuki welcomed the group at Kellogg West.

“I’m very supportive of this program for two major reasons,” he said. “First of all, I think it is tremendous because it helps develop the important powers of research and critical thinking. The second reason I think it is important is because there is a growing shortage in the United States of people in the fields of mathematics, science and engineering.”

The McNair Scholars spoke briefly, thanking his or her mentor, parents, friends and program staff.

“I’m so excited,” said Julie Davenport, a psychology senior. “I can see all of my dreams happening in front of me-all of them coming true. I’d like to thank everyone in this room. Your support means so much.”

Learning Resource Center

In 1999, the Learning Resource Center at Cal Poly Pomona received approval from the U.S. Department of Education to join the exclusive group of colleges and universities nationwide that offer the McNair Scholars Program.

The program offers steady assistance in not only defining educational goals but also creating plans to achieve them. Participating scholars meet frequently with McNair faculty coordinators, pair up with renowned scientists for research projects, participate in research conferences throughout the year and work with their faculty mentors to publish their research results. The students receive stipends as they complete each of five research project phases.

A large part of the program is the amount of time students spend working closely with faculty mentors.

“One of the highest predictors of success in college is the amount of interaction that students have with faculty,” said Torres. “The amount of inspiring interaction that our faculty mentors have had with our scholars is a reflection of their commitment to excellence.”

McNair Scholars Program staff includes faculty advisor Wei Bidlack, development officer and advisor Joan E. Hill, administrative assistant Kimberly Gadlin, analyst Alberto Hernandez-Martinez, office assistant Michael Bottomley and student assistant Priscilla Ramirez.

The McNair Scholars and their 2001 Summer Symposium presentations:

Alefiya Ali -- “Role of Protein Kinase C Inhibition on Proliferation in Epidermal Cells”

Alefiyah plans to pursue a Ph.D. and then either teach or work for a company in the biotechnology field. Her faculty mentor is Pamela Sperry, Biological Sciences.

Brian Armenta -- “The Effects of Cultural Orientation, Gender, & Public Response on Conformity”

Brian hopes to obtain a Ph.D., teach cultural and psychological anthropology, and conduct research in his field. His faculty mentor is Scott Roesch, Behavioral Sciences.

Chris Cameron -- “The Validity of Stress Assessment Tests Across Ethnic Groups”

Chris is interested in computer-based modeling of social behavior and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematical behavioral science. His faculty mentor is Scott Roesch, Behavioral Sciences.

Le Ondra Clark -- “Body Image of College Students: Race and Gender Differences”

Le Ondra’s plan is to earn a doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology. Her faculty mentor is Felicia Thomas, Behavioral Sciences.

Lorraine Cuadra -- “Helpless Children: A Contextual Constructionist Perspective of Child Abuse in the Print Media”

Lorraine will apply to a Ph.D. program in clinical forensic psychology and a J.D. program. Her faculty mentor is Ruth-Ellen Grimes, Behavioral Sciences.

Julie Davenport -- “The Effect of Debriefing on the Success of Diversity Training”

Julie is a second-year Scholar in psychology planning to get a Ph.D. with the eventual goal of becoming a university professor. Her faculty mentor is Lori Barker Hackett, Behavioral Sciences.

Oranoos Haghighi -- “The Effects of Time Management on School Performance”

Oranoos intends to apply to a Ph.D. program in clinical neuropsychology. Her faculty mentor is Scott Roesch, Behavioral Sciences.

Hiroko Hata -- “Folate Status of Women in Childbearing Age with Different MTHFR Genotypes”

Hiroko plans to apply for a Ph.D. program in pharmaceutical chemistry in the fall. Her faculty mentor is Marie Caudill, Food, Nutrition & Consumer Sciences.

Raffi Kaprielian -- “Activation and Down Regulation of Protein Kinase C”

Raffi is beginning his master’s program in the fall. His long-term goal is to attend medical school. His faculty mentor is Pamela Sperry, Biological Sciences.

Jeffrey Kim -- “HA17 Cloning and Expression in the Yeast Two Hybrid System”

After graduation, Jeffrey plans to go to dental school. His faculty mentor is Wei-Jen Lin, Biological Sciences.

Karen Mabb -- “Seasonal Patterns in Parrot Roost Flocks in the San Gabriel Valley, California: Size, Composition, Tree Usage, and Site Locations”

Karen intends to get her M.S. in Biology at Cal Poly Pomona and then pursue a Ph.D. Her faculty mentor is Lin Wu, Geography & Anthropology

Angelica Martinez -- “Measurement of GFR Over a 24-Hour Period”

Angelica will attend veterinary school or enter a master’s degree program with a focus on animal science or nutrition. Her faculty mentor is Louis Foster, Animal & Veterinary Sciences.

Debra McKean -- “The Food Choices and Time-Activity Budget of the Western Gray Squirrel on the Campus of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona”

Debra plans to earn a Ph.D. and to have a career in ecology and wildlife conservation. Her faculty mentor is Ronald Quinn, Biological Sciences.

Darrell Pickens -- “Excess Heat Experiment with Deuterium-Depleted Water”

Darrell hopes to attend graduate school. His mentor is Robert Bush, Physics.

Oscar Serrano -- “Role of the Mannose Receptor in Uptake of Yeast by Epidermal Langerhans Cells”

After receiving his B.S. in Microbiology, Oscar wants to attend medical school, conduct research, and eventually specialize in either cardiology or oncology. His faculty mentor is Pamela Sperry, Biological Sciences.

Meeghan Simmons -- “Pollinator Foraging Behavior on Two Species of Downingia: Old and New Directions”

Meeghan plans to attend graduate school in field biology or ecology in order to become a field biologist and teach on the university level. Her faculty mentor is Joan Leong, Biological Sciences.

Allison Vaughn -- “Why Do They Do That? A Look at Why College Students Engage in High-Risk Sexual Behaviors”

Allison’s plans include a Ph.D. in health psychology, HIV/AIDS research, and public policy work. Her faculty mentor is James Sturges, Behavioral Sciences.

Taneeka Ward -- “Feline Chronobiology: Effects of Photoperiod and Time of Meal on GFR”

Taneeka hopes to complete a degree in veterinary medicine and enter a Ph.D. program. Her faculty mentor is Louis Foster, Animal & Veterinary Sciences.

Rami Wehbe -- “Non-linear Engineering Dynamics Simulation”

Rami plans to go to graduate school. His faculty mentor is Kevin Anderson, Mechanical Engineering.

 

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