Sixteen current and former Jefferson State students were among about 50 students to participate in one of the many summer research programs at UAB. Specifically, the JSCC trainees participated in the Bridges to Baccalaureate program, which is an opportunity for students to participate in a 10-week biomedical research internship from May 15 through July 28.
The goal of the program is to increase the number of individuals who enter the biomedical research workforce. The approach to achieving this goal is three-fold: 1. provide biomedical research opportunities through paid summer internships, 2. support students through completion of an Associate’s degree, and 3. support students through transfer and completion of a Bachelor’s degree.
The internship at UAB provides each student with the opportunity to not only see what a scientist does every day, but also to work alongside mentors on their own biomedical research project. During the first two weeks of the summer program, students participate in a biomedical research bootcamp class. Students learn about biomedical research, research ethics, how to keep a research notebook, and how to perform standard research techniques through hands-on experiences. Following the bootcamp, students spend eight weeks in their assigned research lab working on an independent research project. The summer program culminates with a research symposium where each student prepares a poster summarizing his or her research project including background information, experimental results, and conclusions.
“This program provides a great opportunity for students to gain experience in biomedical research,” said Nic Kin, associate dean for Jefferson State’s St. Clair-Pell City Campus and coordinator of the Bridges to the Baccalaureate program.
Cynthia Sanchez, a JSCC spring 2023 graduate, was honored with the Bridges to the Baccalaureate Most Promising Scientist Award.
Jaden Adams, also a spring 2023 graduate, was honored with the Bridges to the Baccalaureate Best Presentation Award.
The following current and former Jefferson State students completed the 10-week program:
- Cynthia Sanchez
- Natasha Velasco
- Baraa Aljawawdeh
- Jacqueline Hernandez-Burgos
- Kayleigh Wyatt
- Chihazirim Njoku
- Jaden Adams
- Kristen Buettner
- Rylie Scarbrough
- Zachary Zabriskie
- Ma’at White
- Wayne Dimas Gonzalez
- Jay Patel
- Gabriel Coleman
- Julia Kiefer
- Joseph Renfro
“I am so proud of each student; they all worked so hard this summer,” Kin said. “The quantity and quality of the research presented at the poster session blows me away every year.”
Learn more about the program by clicking here.
