Britney Martinez, Alondra Villalba, Naomi Lehman and Antonio Serrano last week at the ABRCMS conference in Phoenix. Courtesy photoNNMC News:
Four students from Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) in Espanola presented their research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) last week in Phoenix, Ariz.
Naomi Lehman, Alondra Villalba, Britney Martinez and Antonio Serrano traveled to ABRCMS, the largest conference for undergraduate students in the United States, with Northern’s Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Mario Izaguirre-Sierra.
In addition to presenting their research, the four students attended multiple workshops on graduate school, career and professional development, among others.
Dr. Izaguirre-Sierra was invited by the conference organizers as a mentor to the budding scientists attending the four-day event.
“Our students not only have the opportunity to interact and learn from their peers all around the US, but they also compare the strength of our program at NNMC and realize that the direct mentorship they receive at NNMC is unique when compared to other institutions,” Dr. Izaguirre-Sierra said.
Northern New Mexico College emphasizes the importance of providing undergraduate students with real-life experiences to prepare them for professional life. As such, Northern students are encouraged to apply to undergraduate research opportunities and attend industry events.
In the summer of 2017, 18 students from Northern New Mexico College’s Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science programs competed and secured summer research experiences at prestigious institutions around the country.
In alignment with the National Science Foundation funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, the students were associated with a research project in their field of study at a host institution, where they worked closely with the institution’s faculty and other researchers.
“NNMC has a unique program that mentors and trains undergraduate students in the laboratory,” Dr. Izaguirre-Sierra said.
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo