STARS
program provides opportunity for students - (6/13)
by Irasema Romero, Reporter
Four Eastfield students have been selected to participate
in the Science Teacher Access to Research at Southwestern
(STARS) program this summer at UT Southwestern Medical
Center in Dallas. The program will provide
the students with the opportunity to work with professors
conducting scientific research projects, according
to Jeannie Han, STARS program coordinator.
The four students selected include Funmi Afolayan,
who is a sophomore Pre-med major from Nigeria.
She will be working with Cell Biology professor
Dr. Jerry Shay in research for cancer treatment
and pathology.
“Ultimately, we want to open their eyes to
the ‘real world’ of scientific research
so that it may help them to make a decision about
a future in the field of science,” Han said.
Anatomy and Physiology professor Dr. Carl Knight
said the program is designed to provide opportunities
for people who may not have the financial means.
He hopes that they will follow a career in science
and maybe one day win a Nobel Prize or discover
a cure for cancer.
“The caliber of applicants this year was
extremely high and the fact that they were
selected is a testament to their abilities and dedication
to learning,” Han said. “They
have a unique drive and perspective on life that
moves them to work hard to reach their goals.”
Science major Dang Huynh plans to focus on pharmaceutical
research and will be working with Dr. J.R. Falck,
Professor of Biochemistry. Flack is working
on organic molecules that have greater implications
in oncology and pharmacology.
Sophomore Jordan McHone plans to obtain a degree
in biology. He will be working with Dr. Carole
Mendelson, Biochemistry Professor researching labor
triggers in expectant mothers.”
Katarina Solberg, originally from Sweden, also
plans to major in biology and she will be working
with Dr. Julie Pfeiffer, Microbiology assistant
professor on using “hepatitis C and poliovirus
to study viral genome evolution and drug resistant
mutations and the effect of viral diversity on pathogenesis.”
“This opportunity will allow me to
gain valuable research experience, helping to form
my career path and giving me a better chance to
succeed in the future,” said McHone in the
press release.
The Eastfield Science department will use a part
of a $1.8 million grant awarded by the National
Science Foundation to give a $3,000 stipend to the
students for two months, according to a press release.
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