STEM

Young Scientists Take Center Stage at UCR During Riverside Unified School District Science and Engineering Fair

joanny — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 21:17:28 +0000

Young Scientists Take Center Stage at UCR During Riverside Unified School District Science and Engineering Fair joanny Tue, 02/17/2026 - 13:17 More College News February 02, 2026

On January 27, 2026, HUB 302 at the University of California, Riverside was filled with poster boards, lab notebooks, and a steady hum of scientific curiosity as students from across the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) gathered for the district’s annual Science and Engineering Fair. For a few hours, the room became a hub of discovery — where local RUSD students shared research, answered probing questions, and stepped into the role of scientists.

For UC Riverside’s College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS), hosting the event is more than a one-day partnership. It is part of an ongoing commitment to community engagement, scientific encouragement, and building pathways from local classrooms to future careers.

“This is the future,” said CNAS Dean Peter Atkinson. “These are our future physicians, scientists, and teachers. The pipeline that is coming from multiple schools within RUSD is strong and continuous, and you can’t help but be inspired by the quality of the students and the work they present.”

Science in action — and in conversation

From early morning through midday, volunteer judges — more than 60 faculty members, staff, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars from across CNAS disciplines — evaluated projects spanning environmental science, biology, chemistry, engineering, and beyond.

For younger students, judges evaluated projects based on poster presentations. For middle and high school students, judging included in-depth conversations about research questions, experimental design, and future directions.

Dr. Stephanie Dingwall, CNAS Divisional Dean of Student Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Teaching in Biochemistry, helped coordinate the judging effort. She said judges consistently walked away impressed.

“They have been extremely impressed with the students’ caliber — their ability to communicate their ideas clearly, their scientific rigor, and how proactive they are,” Dingwall said. “Some judges even remarked that many of these students would thrive here at UCR.”

The interaction between students and scientists is one of the most meaningful aspects of the event, according to Julie Smith, Instructional Services Specialist for TK–12 Science at RUSD.

“That conversation between students and judges is such a great opportunity for both groups,” Smith said. “Students get to share their ideas and research, and judges get to reconnect with what scientific curiosity looked like when they were younger. It’s inspiring on both sides.”

A campus experience that expands horizons

The science fair itself is only part of the experience. After judging concluded, many students participated in the CNAS Experience — an immersive introduction to life as a university science student.

Participants toured campus facilities, visited the Geology Museum, and conducted a hands-on strawberry DNA extraction experiment in a teaching laboratory. They also attended a welcome session and student panel featuring CNAS Science Ambassadors, who shared their academic journeys and answered questions about college life.

For many students and families, the visit marked their first time on a university campus — even for those who have lived in Riverside their entire lives.

“Our goal is to broaden their horizons and show them what is possible,” Smith said. “Some parents told us it was their first time ever being on the UCR campus. That exposure matters — it helps students and families see what their futures could look like.”

Creating that sense of possibility is central to CNAS’s role in the region, Atkinson emphasized.

“We are their University of California,” he said. “We are here for our community. We want students across the Inland Empire to feel a sense of belonging — that this is their university and a place where they can succeed.”

Near-peer inspiration

For CNAS Science Ambassador Amanda Arrieta, the most powerful part of the day is not the judging — it is the conversations.

Arrieta, a biochemistry major and transfer student, spends much of the event talking with students and families, sharing her own academic journey and answering questions about what college is really like.

“When I was their age, I knew college was a concept, but I didn’t really know what it meant,” she said. “So having them here — seeing labs, meeting students, walking around campus — it makes college real.”

She often sees the shift happen in real time.

“You can see it on their faces,” Arrieta said. “They realize, ‘Oh, I could do this.’ That moment — when it feels possible — that’s my favorite part.”

Big ideas from young researchers

The projects themselves reflect the depth of curiosity and ambition among RUSD students.

At Martin Luther King High School, juniors and seniors Patrick Moon and Ubaid Awan presented research exploring how bacteria might help break down PFAS — persistent industrial chemicals that contaminate water supplies and pose health risks worldwide. Their work examined whether specific bacterial isolates could help degrade these compounds in an environmentally sustainable way.

Both students were motivated by real-world concerns — environmental impact, human health, and the responsibility to solve problems created by modern industry.

“We want to help address the root causes,” Awan said. “If there’s a way to remove harmful compounds safely and responsibly, that could make a real difference for people.”

Moon added that science offers something uniquely powerful: the ability to create solutions where none existed before.

“Science is about solving problems in creative ways,” he said. “It shows that there is always more to discover — and that we can fix the problems we create.”

Across the room, fellow Martin Luther King High School junior Alyna Burgett presented research on nematodes as natural pest control agents — a potential alternative to chemical pesticides, particularly in regions where agricultural sustainability is critical.

Burgett has spent nearly a year on the project and hopes to continue research in entomology — ideally at UC Riverside, home to one of the world’s leading programs in the field.

“I want to be in a research lab,” she said. “I want to study insects all day. That’s the goal.”

A shared investment in the future

For CNAS leaders and RUSD educators alike, the science fair represents something larger than competition or recognition. It is about exposure, encouragement, and long-term opportunity.

It is also about strengthening a regional ecosystem of learning — one in which universities and school districts work together to cultivate curiosity from an early age.

“We want students to see that discovery is still happening,” Smith said. “That science is not finished — there are still problems to solve, questions to explore, and ideas waiting to be tested.”

For Atkinson, that message carries forward into the future of the region itself.

“This is how we build the next generation,” he said. “By showing students what is possible, by welcoming them onto campus, and by helping them see themselves as scientists.”

As students packed up their projects and prepared for the next stages of competition — including a community showcase and awards ceremony later in the week — one thing was clear: the day had offered more than evaluation. It had offered perspective, inspiration, and a glimpse of what lies ahead.

And for many young scientists walking out of HUB 302, college — and a future in science — felt a little closer than it had before.

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Val Verde Students Bring Curiosity and Creativity to UCR for First-Ever District Science Fair at CNAS

joanny — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:59:58 +0000

Val Verde Students Bring Curiosity and Creativity to UCR for First-Ever District Science Fair at CNAS joanny Sun, 02/08/2026 - 14:59 More College News January 26, 2026

For many Val Verde Unified School District students, stepping onto the UC Riverside campus on Friday, Jan. 23, marked their first time visiting a major research university. By the end of the day, they weren’t just visitors — they were scientists.

Val Verde USD students gathered at UCR for the district’s first-ever science fair hosted by UC Riverside’s College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS), presenting projects that explored topics ranging from physics and engineering to environmental science and human health. The event brought together K–12 students, teachers, district leaders, and UCR faculty, researchers, and students in a day centered on curiosity, discovery, and mentorship.

“This wasn’t just about competition,” said Leonesa Sanchez, Val Verde USD Science TOSA and one of the event’s organizers. “It was about giving students the experience of being on a university campus, talking with scientists, and realizing that they belong in spaces like this.”

A Partnership Rooted in Access and Opportunity

Hosting the science fair at UCR was a deliberate choice — one aimed at expanding access to higher education and showing students what’s possible when classroom learning connects to real-world science.

“This event reflects what CNAS values,” said Stephanie Dingwall, CNAS Divisional Dean of Student Academic Affairs. “We want students to see science as something they can participate in, contribute to, and build a future around. Opening our doors to Val Verde students is part of that mission.”

Dingwall emphasized that the science fair represents more than a single-day event. It’s part of CNAS’s broader commitment to community engagement, mentorship, and building pathways into STEM fields for local students.

Scientists at Every Stage Giving Back

One of the defining features of the science fair was the range of judges who volunteered their time — including CNAS faculty, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, K–12 educators, and CNAS alumni.

CNAS biochemistry faculty member Sarah Radi, who served as a judge, said she was impressed by both the quality of the projects and the confidence students showed in explaining their work.

“You could tell how much thought and care went into these projects,” Radi said. “Students weren’t just presenting results — they understood their process, their challenges, and what they learned.”

Alex De La Vega, a CNAS postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and science fair judge, echoed that sentiment, noting that the fair gave students an authentic glimpse into scientific thinking.

“This is what science looks like,” De La Vega said. “Asking questions, testing ideas, and being open to what the data tells you.”

Val Verde educators Ben Goodwin and Darshak Shah, both of whom served as judges, highlighted the importance of students seeing familiar faces alongside university scientists — especially for those considering futures in STEM. Shah, a CNAS alum, said returning to campus as a judge felt especially meaningful.

“I see myself in these students,” Shah said. “Being here shows them that these pathways are real and attainable.”

Students Finding Their Voice in Science

For students like Andrew Del Villar, Francine Habacon, and Noah Doney, the fair was both exciting and affirming. Presenting their projects on a university campus — and receiving feedback from scientists — helped them see their work in a new light.

“It made me feel like what I was doing really mattered,” one student shared. “I could actually see myself doing this in the future.”

That sense of belonging was reinforced by CNAS Science Ambassadors Saalar Zarnegar and Camilla Hernandez, who spent the day answering questions, guiding students through the space, and sharing their own experiences as UCR undergraduates.

“We want them to know that they belong here,” one ambassador said. “We were in their shoes once.”

Looking Ahead

As the science fair wrapped up, the energy in the room was unmistakable — students lingering by posters, judges offering final words of encouragement, and educators already talking about next year.

For CNAS and Val Verde USD, the day marked the beginning of what both see as a growing partnership rooted in shared values: access, mentorship, and the power of science education to open doors.

“When students can see themselves as scientists,” Sanchez said, “it changes everything.”

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R’STEM Find Your Research Match Connects Students with Research Opportunities

joanny — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:18:26 +0000

R’STEM Find Your Research Match Connects Students with Research Opportunities joanny Tue, 02/03/2026 - 16:18 More Blog Posts February 03, 2026

Students looking to take the next step in their academic journeys had the opportunity to connect directly with faculty, graduate students, and campus partners during the R’STEM Find Your Research Match event, held on February 3, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in HUB 302.

A collaborative effort between the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS), the Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE), and Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR), the event was designed to bridge the gap between students and tangible research opportunities across disciplines. The event brought together students eager to get involved in research with mentors actively seeking undergraduate researchers for labs, projects, and ongoing initiatives.

Throughout the afternoon, students moved from table to table, learning about a wide range of research areas and gaining insight into how to get started—whether through formal lab placements, independent research, or faculty-mentored projects.

For many students, the R’STEM Find Your Research Match demystified the research process. “It helped make research feel more accessible,” said Mabel Tan, a CNAS Peer Mentor who tabled at the event. “Sometimes it’s intimidating to reach out to professors on your own, but this made it easier to ask questions and understand what opportunities are actually out there.”

Organizers emphasized that the event was intentionally designed to support students at all stages, including those who may not yet have research experience. “We wanted students to see that you don’t have to have everything figured out to get involved,” said Liz Jimenez, Manager of Transfer Success Programs, who helped coordinate the event. “This is about starting conversations and building connections.”

Campus staff, faculty, and graduate students also welcomed the chance to speak directly with undergraduates. “Events like this allow us to meet students who are genuinely curious and motivated,” said Karina Augustus, Career Specialist with the UCR Career Center, who also tabled at the event. “It’s a great way to match interests on both sides.”

In addition to learning about specific projects, students gained valuable advice on preparing for research roles, including how to follow up with potential mentors, communicate interests clearly, and build confidence when pursuing opportunities outside the classroom.

By bringing together multiple colleges and student leadership, R’STEM Find Your Research Match highlighted UCR’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and student success. Organizers hope the event will encourage more students—particularly those new to research—to take that first step toward hands-on learning and discovery.

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CNAS Graduate Students Support REACH Leadership STEAM Academy Science Fair

joanny — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 02:16:59 +0000

CNAS Graduate Students Support REACH Leadership STEAM Academy Science Fair joanny Mon, 02/02/2026 - 18:16 More Blog Posts January 22, 2026

On January 22, 2026, REACH Leadership STEAM Academy in Riverside hosted its annual science fair, welcoming students, educators, and community partners for a late-afternoon event that highlighted curiosity, experimentation, and discovery. UC Riverside’s College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) participated by sending graduate students to serve as judges and mentors, reinforcing the college’s commitment to community engagement, science education, and local recruitment.

The REACH Leadership STEAM Academy science fair marked the first of several regional science fairs supported by CNAS this month. CNAS graduate students also participated in the Val Verde Unified School District Science and Engineering Fair on Friday, January 23 and will serve as judges at the Riverside Unified School District Science and Engineering Fair on Tuesday, January 27. Together, these efforts reflect CNAS’s ongoing goal of being a consistent and visible partner in Inland Empire schools.

REACH Leadership STEAM Academy Vice Principal Toiya Allen said hosting a science fair—and welcoming university partners—helps students connect classroom learning to real-world possibilities.

“Having graduate students here shows our students what’s possible,” Allen said. “They get to interact with people who are actively studying and working in science, and that helps make science feel real and attainable.”

During the science fair, REACH students presented projects exploring a wide range of scientific questions. CNAS graduate student judges circulated throughout the event, engaging students in conversation, asking questions about their methods and findings, and offering encouragement and feedback.

Stephanie Dingwall, Divisional Dean of Student Academic Affairs for CNAS, said

participation in local science fairs is a meaningful way for the college to support early interest in STEM while building long-term relationships with schools and families.

“These science fairs are about showing up for our community,” Dingwall said. “CNAS wants to be a partner—to encourage students’ passion for science, support educators, and help students see themselves as future college students and scientists.”

Dingwall emphasized that CNAS graduate students play a particularly important role in these efforts by serving as near-peer mentors who can help demystify higher education and research pathways.

Among the CNAS participants was Cameron Zappetta, an M.S. student with the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB) program, who said he was impressed by the level of thought and engagement students brought to their projects.

“You could tell students had really spent time thinking through their ideas,” Zappetta said. “They were excited to explain their work and answer questions, and that kind of curiosity is exactly what science is about.”

Camille Groneck, a Ph.D. student in the Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology program, described the experience as a reminder of why outreach and mentorship matter.

“Seeing students so engaged and enthusiastic about science is incredibly motivating,” Groneck said. “Opportunities like this can spark confidence and help students realize they belong in science.”

For Reuben Franklin, a postdoc with the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program, who also received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UCR, shared that serving as a judge was a way to give back and support the next generation of scientists.

“Moments like this can really shape how students think about their futures,” Franklin said. “Being able to encourage them and take their ideas seriously is important.”

Allen said the presence of CNAS graduate students added depth and excitement to the science fair experience.

“Our students benefit from having conversations with people who are further along in their academic journeys,” she said. “It helps them build confidence and see new possibilities for themselves.”

As CNAS continues its participation in regional science fairs across Riverside County, the focus remains on strengthening community partnerships, encouraging curiosity, and supporting students at every stage of their educational journey. By engaging with students early and often, CNAS aims to inspire future scientists while reinforcing UC Riverside’s role as a committed and accessible community partner.

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Riverside City College students explore research through RISE

owenw — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 14:55:07 +0000

Riverside City College students explore research through RISE owenw Mon, 08/19/2024 - 07:55 More Blog Posts August 27, 2024

When asked how she's enjoying UC Riverside's Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) program this summer, Riverside City College student Kat McVeigh doesn't hold back.

"It's been a great experience!" she says. "Being in an actual lab [and] getting to know the other people in the lab has been pretty cool. Meeting new people is always really nice!"

RISE is a summer research program designed for rising sophomores, juniors, incoming transfers, and seniors at UC Riverside. Participants work under the supervision of a faculty mentor on a cutting-edge research project, and the program also features faculty mentoring, professional development opportunities and immersive experience in the UC Riverside science community.

The program culminates with an undergraduate research symposium, where participants share their work with the greater UC Riverside community:

This year, the program featured several students from nearby Riverside City College (RCC), students who grew their STEM interests by engaging in RISE's mentored projects and learning more about academic research. RCC students were given the opportunity to participate in RISE programs lasting one or eight weeks.

Jordan Moreno

"It's taught me what goes into research at an academic institution," said Jordan Moreno, a Computer Science major at Riverside City College. "Coming into it, I didn't have any research experience. The biggest skill is learning the entire process of research and learning what goes into exploring the results you get. Results that contradict what you might think should be explained."

Moreno adds, "That explanation is very important because, regardless of the results you get, you can't jump to conclusions."

"We don't have research facilities at Riverside City College, so these research experiences are often the first time these students will be in a research facility," says Dr. Virginia White, Professor and Principal Investigator, STEM Connect Grants at Riverside City College. "RCC students [also] have the opportunity to meet their counterparts at UC Riverside and learn about the student experience."

According to Dr. White, the fact that Riverside City College students also get to interact with graduate students is an important component of the RISE program. "Learning that college isn't necessarily the end point of their education is very eye-opening for some of our students," explains Dr. White. "It is especially beneficial to hear the stories of the graduate students and post docs, particularly at a school as diverse as UC Riverside."

Moreno's RISE project involved working with Professor Jia Gou in the Department of Mathematics on computational models of cell migrations, and studying how different parameters affect the morphology and movement patterns of a cell computationally. "My lab was a little bit different since I'm working with computer models," Moreno explained. "The majority of it is working with simulations, changing parameters, looking at the data, explaining the results and then tweaking and re-doing the process. Throughout the week, I'll meet with my Principal Investigator (PI), and we'll go over my results and what I could do better."

Principal investigators and faculty mentorship played a huge role in the RISE program for Emmatrice Fomumbud, a Riverside City College STEM major who worked with Professor Jim Burnette on DNA barcoding during the one week program. "The [DNA extraction] didn't work on the first day, and we were kind of demoralized," remembers Fomumbud. "But Dr. Burnette wanted us to taste the sweetness of having a good result. He taught us a different method to analyze the DNA, had us do the process again, and it worked!"

Emmatrice Fomumbud

The DNA barcoding program allowed participants to investigate whether retail cuts of fish were labeled correctly. "Some of the fish we analyzed were actually mislabeled," explains Fomumbud. "You can read the DNA sequence and be able to tell what type of fish it is...it might look like one kind of fish, but it's actually a different kind."

McVeigh spent her time in RISE in the lab of Professor Ying-Hsuan Lin of the Department of Environmental Sciences, looking at per- and polyfluralkyl substances (PFAs), otherwise known as "forever chemicals," and pyrolyzing them in soil to see how they broke down. "Right now, remediation efforts are the current focus of research for that group of chemicals, because they don't degrade naturally," says McVeigh. "We want to see if thermal treatment is a good course of action for breaking down contamination."

McVeigh credits RISE with teaching her how to perform experiments while simultaneously reviewing her work for mistakes. "One part of [the research project] was gas bag analysis...we would take the soil which we had previously spiked, put it into the furnace, collect it with the gas bag, take it back upstairs and inject it into our machine," McVeigh explains. "We'd be looking at the data we collected to start to understand what we're looking at. That's so we don't get too far without realizing we made a mistake. Reviewing your work at multiple points while you're experimenting is also necessary."

McVeigh also says that her participation in RISE taught her to use "new-to-me" instrumentation and processes she'll likely encounter in other labs during future research projects, like gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS). "I was learning gas sampling, solid extraction, data analysis, how to make calibration curves and scientific figures, use a fluoride probe, make a poster, and learning how to present that information," she says. "[I was also] learning how to look at previous research to understand current research."

"When Riverside City College students participate in research at UC Riverside, they are doing research at one of the best institutions in the world," says Dr. White. "And UC Riverside is such a diverse university with faculty, post docs and graduate students from all over the world. Some of our RCC students haven't traveled outside of Southern California...to do research alongside a student, post doc, or faculty member who has come to UC Riverside from another country is such an awesome experience."

Dr. White adds, "We really want to showcase to our students that they don't have to be limited by geography. Not to mention that UC Riverside is such a welcoming campus for our students. That's one of the best features of UC Riverside - it's a premiere research institutions that has a small community feel to it."

Both McVeigh and Fomumbud were also surprised by the social aspects of RISE. "I don't think I was expecting everyone in the labs to be so close," admits McVeigh. "There's a lot of camaraderie in the labs. [Once] we were trying to fix a piece of instrumentation...we got a professor to come in and help us. It was really cool to see how, if you're struggling with something, someone else can come in and help you."

"I gained social skills," adds Fomumbud. "I was able to work and create things with a team. The whole [experience] boosted my confidence, both as a student and a person. I was able to work better with a lot of the machines in the lab, and that helped me as a STEM major. We were having fun...talking, getting work done, and getting to know each other. We still learned while having fun."

During RISE, RCC students also interacted with UCR Peer Mentors, current students and recent alumni, many of whom are transfer students and understand the unique obstacles of transferring to UCR. For Moreno, the Peer Mentor meetings provided invaluable support and information about the transfer experience at UCR.

"I think they're really special because they help me to connect with peers that are doing what I want to do," says Moreno, "They've really helped to lead me through this process and show me the way to go. Having a mentor is really important, and I really value those meetings...I've learned a lot from them."

Moreno adds, "They've given me a lot of advice about classes, talking to professors, getting into research, and how to find research you're interested in. I just find that very valuable. Without that, I would be so lost...now I have a really clear idea of what I want to do."

Each year, RISE culminates in a symposium, giving participants the chance to present their work and scientific projects to the UCR community. Students participating in the one week program also have the opportunity to share their work. "While the students do learn some molecular biology skills, they also learn how to write an abstract, analyze data, and develop a presentation," explains Dr. Burnette. "They work in groups on the abstract and presentation, thus gaining teamwork experience. These soft skills are the ones most valuable since they are necessary for any major or career."

Fomumbud credits RISE with helping him conquer his initial apprehension about presenting his findings to his new colleagues. "I was so nervous because I'm not good at talking to strangers...I tried to find confidence in myself, and my colleagues said that I did great," says Fomumbud. "That was a skill I gained, and the next time I find myself giving a presentation, I'll do better."

Fomumbud adds, "Believe in yourself! You may not be the best speaker, but just have fun and enjoy the whole scenario. You're not trying to compete with everyone, you're trying to gain skills and knowledge. Just believe in yourself!"

Students participating in the eight week program were able to participate in the Mentoring Summer Research Internship Program (MSRIP) Symposium on August 16, presenting their research findings to UC Riverside undergraduates, faculty and community members. For McVeigh, the key to a successful presentation is knowing your audience.

Kat McVeigh

"You may have a great spiel worked up, but it might not fit who you're talking to, and in that case, it'll either go over their head or under," says McVeigh. "Knowing who you're talking to is the biggest component...also, having something put together so that if they come up to you and just want to talk to you, you can give them a quick overview and answer additional questions."

According to Moreno, performing research while surrounded by other transfer students was an important experience. "Being surrounded by fellow transfer students is important because I have a different background, and going into research, I might see things differently. Having that environment makes it feel more welcoming and approachable for me."

"RISE is an amazing opportunity for our students," says Robyn Martinelli, Assistant Dean for Development at the UC Riverside College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS). "While there are other sources of funding for the program on campus, there are students who’s participation would not be possible without the funds provided by our generous donors. Donor support is crucial to bridging the gap for these deserving students and providing a much needed stipend for summer research as opposed to them taking on a part time summer job."

RISE Social 2024

Martinelli adds, "This past summer, donors funded approximately 30 students. We are actively looking to engage more donors so that we can provide this opportunity to even more deserving students."

Dr. Burnette says he enjoys watching participants make connections between the knowledge learned in class with the real data being generated. "The excitement is generates is infectious and exciting," he says. "It was seeing them realize that they have valuable skills and knowledge they can teach others."

As Moreno, Fomumbud and McVeigh make plans for the next chapters in their academic journeys, they look forward to encouraging fellow transfer students to participate in RISE in the future.

"I think it's a great opportunity to get into research, especially coming from a community college," says Moreno, who plans on studying Physics at UC Riverside. "There's nothing else quite like it! It's a way for community college students to get experience in academic research and see what it's going to be like transferring and pursuing your research interests."

"I was super nervous, but it was the best experience I've ever had," says Fomumbud, who looks forward to studying at the UC Riverside School of Medicine one day. "I was more enthusiastic and have more confidence in myself."

For McVeigh, who plans on pursuing Forensic Chemistry and Criminalistics, the support she and other students received during RISE is a critical factor in the program's success.

"Everyone at RISE is just there to help you, and that's been really cool to see as well." she says. "The amount of support that is there for students."

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Finding Her Hive: A Summer RISE Student's Story

tomwt — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:21:09 +0000

Finding Her Hive: A Summer RISE Student's Story tomwt Wed, 08/02/2023 - 08:21 More Blog Posts John Perna and Karina Quevedo August 02, 2023

Melissa Arellano, her first name translating to "honey bee" in Greek, signifies the impact of research experiences on students' academic paths. As a 4th-year Environmental Science major that transferred from City College of San Francisco, Melissa found her passion for bees through the Summer RISE program at the University of California, Riverside.

Melissa is in Dr. Hollis Woodard's lab studying various species of bumblebees, from their biology to behavior. The lab primarily focuses on Bombus impatiens, a hardy species Melissa referred to as the 'beagle of bee research' due to its robust performance as a lab-researched species.

Melissa's research is assessing wild bumblebees at two distinct national parks, comparing populations from burned sites versus non-burned ones. Her research examines factors like plant life and competition with honey bees, and incorporates measurements of the bees' size, including their heads, wings, and weight. This project aims to better understand wild bumblebees in response to naturally-occurring landscape changes due to fire versus unburned regions.

This work took Melissa to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks over the summer, where she hiked to recent wildfire locations to collect bee samples. Despite the strenuous nature of this task, she considers it a highlight of her research experience.

Interestingly, before joining the Summer RISE program, Melissa never saw herself as a researcher. She imagined a straightforward path - completing her bachelor's degree and stepping into industry work. It was RISE that opened her eyes to the potential of research and its real-world implications. She credits RISE with giving her a chance to work with bees, an experience she hoped for but didn't expect.

Moving to UCR brought challenges for Melissa. She moved from San Francisco with only her partner, without any family or friends nearby. The winter transfer was financially taxing, with Melissa struggling to balance her studies with bills. The RISE program offered her the chance to focus entirely on her research and academic work, a luxury she might not have otherwise had.

Looking ahead, Melissa's experience with RISE and bee research has made her reconsider her long-term goals. Although she had never previously considered a Ph.D. or graduate school, her friends and principal investigator have sparked her interest in these possibilities. Melissa is now contemplating using her environmental science background and bee research to investigate agricultural applications of native bee species.

As for her advice to future RISE students, Melissa stresses the importance of seeking a lab that aligns with their interests even before applying to the program. She encourages them to pursue the type of research they want to do and to find a lab with a supportive culture to thrive. This proactive approach, she believes, will help them fully utilize and maximize the benefits of the RISE program.

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UCR ranks No. 3 in graduating Hispanic students in STEM majors

ilseu — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:46:05 +0000

UCR ranks No. 3 in graduating Hispanic students in STEM majors ilseu Tue, 02/25/2020 - 09:46 More College News Imran Ghori | Inside UCR February 21, 2020

A National Science Foundation report found that UC Riverside ranks third in the nation when it comes to graduating the most Hispanic or Latino students in science and engineering fields.

The data is included in a 2019 report called “Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering”, which looks at the progress of underrepresented groups in science and engineering education and employment.

The report includes a data table showing UCR conferred 4,656 bachelor’s degrees in science and engineering to Hispanic students between 2012-16. Only Florida International University in Miami and University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, had more Hispanic graduates in the STEM fields.

“Given our students’ commitment to learning, and the dedication of UCR faculty and academic staff to their success, I’m not surprised that UCR ranks high for Hispanic and Latino/a STEM graduates,” said Kathryn Uhrich, dean of the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. “At CNAS, our classes, laboratories, research experiences, and student success programs are designed to help students thrive.”

The college offers a number of programs providing underrepresented students with support and resources, including CNAS Learning Communities, First Year Success Series, Science Ambassador Program, and STEM Pathway Program.

In 2018, UCR received the Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine for the Riverside Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program. A partnership with Riverside City College, the program identifies students committed to pursuing a career in science and facilitates their transfer and successful completion of a UCR degree in STEM fields.

The report states Hispanics or Latinos have gradually attained STEM degrees over the last 20 years, but they still remain underrepresented in degree completion and in the workplace.

Hispanic Serving Institutions — a federal designation for colleges and universities with a Hispanic student population of more than 25% — have played a large role in increasing their representation, the report found.

In 2016, 46% of Hispanic students who earned bachelor’s degrees in STEM majors graduated from Hispanic Serving Institutions, and 37% who earned doctorates between 2013 and 2017 attended one, according to the report.

UCR was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2008.

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View the 2019 NSF report “Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering” online:

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Researchers win state funding to improve STEM education

ilseu — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 02:27:37 +0000

Researchers win state funding to improve STEM education ilseu Wed, 02/12/2020 - 18:27 More College News Tess Eyrich | Inside UCR February 11, 2020

A team of researchers led by UC Riverside’s Kinnari Atit has won state funding for a project that will investigate strategies for improving online postsecondary education in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines.

The team’s project, “Supporting Student Learning About Molecular Structures From Simulations,” was chosen by the California Education Learning Lab in early February to receive a Seed Grant award of up to $100,000.

Kinnari Atit is an assistant professor in UC Riverside's Graduate School of Education.

Atit, an assistant professor in UCR’s Graduate School of Education, studies the role of spatial thinking skills in STEM learning. Much of her research is interdisciplinary and involves working directly with STEM professionals in the field to devise and test new ways of bolstering students’ spatial skills.

The two-year Learning Lab project Atit is leading will take a close look at online STEM education at the postsecondary level, when STEM students’ spatial skills are especially key to their success. In particular, she and her team will evaluate techniques to help students better learn using online simulations to grasp two fundamental introductory chemistry concepts: molecular structures and their properties.

The researchers will do this by developing and testing a series of online formative assessments, which are traditionally used during the learning process to identify students’ weaknesses and fill in any gaps through targeted feedback from instructors.

Their hope is that the instructional tools can eventually be used in conjunction with online simulations to boost students’ understanding of fundamental chemistry concepts more generally — an understanding that depends heavily on the strength of students’ spatial skills.

Atit noted a major aim of the project is to push back against the dominant “culture of science” that tends to promote competition among students and a “survival of the fittest” mentality, often to the detriment of underrepresented minority students.

Instead, the goal is to support more personalized approaches to student learning — and better meet the needs of students from a variety of backgrounds and with diverse skill sets — through a more refined system of assessment and feedback.

“This project gives us a chance to change how STEM is traditionally taught in large undergraduate classrooms, which inadvertently isolates and discourages students who process information differently, or who could benefit from more time and feedback when trying to learn the challenging material, or who come from diverse backgrounds,” Atit said.

“With low retention rates in the physical sciences, especially for students from underrepresented minority backgrounds, and with the growing popularity of online learning at undergraduate institutions, it is critical we figure out how to make STEM learning in online settings more accessible to a broader range of students,” she added.

Housed at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, the Learning Lab was established in 2018 to increase learning outcomes and close equity and achievement gaps across California’s public higher education systems, particularly in the STEM disciplines. Its Seed Grants program provides initial funding for promising projects of curricular and pedagogical innovation that are still in early planning stages.

Dr. Matthew Casselman

Dr. Jack Eichler

Joining Atit in the project are Matthew Casselman, an assistant professor of teaching in chemistry at UCR; Jack Eichler, an associate professor of teaching in chemistry at UCR; and Li Ye, an assistant professor of chemistry at California State University, Northridge. Their work is slated to begin this summer.

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