National Center for Institutional Diversity & CIC Announce 2013 Exemplary Summer Research Citations

The National Center for Institutional Diversity (NCID) in partnership with the Committee on Institutional Cooperation announced the new Exemplary Summer Research Citations for Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) participants. This citation promotes the very best scholarship conducted by the outstanding undergraduates participating in SROP each summer. All SROP participants are eligible to be considered for this distinguished citation. Selected SROP scholars demonstrate strong potential to excel in graduate school based on the quality of their summer research projects, academic background, and assessment of other assets for doctoral studies.

Exemplary Summer Research Citations

NCID 2013 CIC-SROP Undergraduate Citation Awardees

Claudio Calderon (University of New Orleans, Civil Engineering) attended SROP at Michigan State University. Claudio’s summer project was titled “ Fractal nature of viscous fingers formed during oil-water separation”. In this project he investigated how oil behaves as it is dispersed in water. One practical application of this research is the containment of oil spills. Currently, his plan is to enter a Ph.D program in environmental engineering.

Ashley Soler (University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla, Biology-Genetics) participated in SROP at Pennsylvania State University. Her research project was titled “Cloning and expression of LCMV Glycoprotein in attenuated Francisella tularensis”. This project helped characterize the specific T-cell responses of Francisella tularensis, a pathogen that has a 70% mortality rate and about which little is known. Due to her SROP lab experience, Ashley plans to enroll in a Ph.D. program in immunology, with a focus on infectious diseases.

Reynat Jimenez (University of Puérto Rico, Aguadilla, Biology-Biomedical) attended SROP at Purdue University. In his project, “Development of novel therapeutic strategies against bladder cancer” Reynat explored the utility of Fibronectin Attachment Protein as a targeting agent in a drug delivery system for the treatment of bladder cancer. The development of therapeutic agents is important because an estimated 70% of post-surgery patients experience a recurrence of the disease. In the future, he plans to pursue a graduate degree in cellular biology.

Keldrick Stephens (Tuskegee University) was hosted by the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Keldrick’s project “In what ways do impoverished African American women have to take on the role of ‘Superwoman’ in response to the violence in Chicago?,” highlighted the strengths and challenges associated with the idea of Superwoman. Keldrick plans to enroll in a graduate program in educational policy studies.

Jessica Caballero Feliciano (University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Psychology) attended the University of Iowa’s SROP. Her SROP project “Are there racial differences in emotion processing” examined whether Caucasians and African Americans differ in the expression of emotion. After graduating, she plans to apply to graduate programs in neuroscience.

Leanne Lasecki (University of North Carolina, Wilmington, Psychology) participated in SROP at the University of Michigan. Her research project was titled “Paying (for) attention: Monetary incentives have opposite effects on young and old adults”. Leanne’s study found that introducing a monetary incentive into a task performance situation improved the performance of young adults but impaired the performance of older adults. Her work suggests that external incentives may have paradoxical effects for people who are concerned about doing well. Leanne plans to pursue a graduate degree in neuropsychology.

Yairanex Roman (University of Puerto Rico, Mayguez, Animal Industry) was hosted by the Ohio State University’s SROP. Her project “ Jejunum protein concentration and lactase activity of Holstein Bull” examined differences in the protein concentration and lactase activity in the gastrointesitainal tract of dairy calves who were fed different diets. The different diets used in the study have potential implications for feed efficiencies and the health of dairy cattle. She plans to pursue a doctoral degree in animal science to continue her studies of nutrition and animal growth.

DeMarco Pitre (*****) was hosted by Northwestern University. Information is forthcoming. 


Visit the CIC's SROP portal for more information on summer research opportunities.