Eight Pasadena City College students are one step closer to achieving their dream of becoming the next generation of scientists dedicated to uncovering the secrets of many of today’s toughest environmental challenges. This select group recently completed six months of rigorous hands-on scientific studies at the Oak Crest Institute of Science as part of The Rose Hills Foundation Research Fellows Program.
The first cohort of Rose Hills Fellows selected their research projects from three broad subject areas: microbial ecology, natural products research and atmospheric chemistry, all topics that are actively being researched by Oak Crest scientists. For the duration of the program the students worked on their research projects 20 hours a week in teams of two while receiving individualized mentoring from an Oak Crest scientist. Funding for the research Fellowships was provided by The Rose Hills Foundation as part of three-year environmental science research grant awarded to Oak Crest.
“It has been our experience that participation in rigorous, original research provides students with a realistic sense of how exciting a career in science can be, and builds self-confidence while offering strong motivation to continue and excel in their studies,” adds Dr. Marc Baum, Oak Crest president and senior faculty.
At the end of their Fellowship program the group presented their research findings to an audience of approximately 50 community leaders, researchers, educators and staff from several Pasadena area nonprofit organizations. The Seminar Day event was held Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Seminar Day presentations included:
• Roadside Sampling of Auto Exhaust from Medium to Light Duty Vehicles Off the Northbound 110 Freeway, presented by Vincent Aguirre, Jr., Ingrid Medina and Andrew Rocha.
• Carbonyl Compounds in Vehicle Exhaust, presented by Amalia Castonguay and Paul Priego.
• The Unmasking of Nature’s Hidden Remedies, presented by Alexander Montes and Paul Priego.
• Metagenomic Analysis of Asphalt, presented by Taylor LaVal and Terra Sztain.
The presentations not only provided the audience with interesting facts and data relating to environmental science, they also provided the interns real-life practice in presenting research findings before a live audience, just as they will at future scientific meetings and professional conferences.
“The value of this program is immeasurable,” adds Dr. Baum. “Participants have the benefit of conducting mentored research on projects that are relevant and address important environmental problems confronting society today. In addition, they gain an academic edge over others who desire a career in the scientific field.”
The Rose Hills Foundation Fellowships are available exclusively to community college students from Pasadena City College and other San Gabriel Valley area community colleges. The Fellowships are based on 20 hours per week and provide compensation to cover a portion of the associated supply costs, travel costs to one conference per year, and the time dedicated to the project by Oak Crest faculty. These funds not only allow the students to do what they love, but also enables them to be concurrently enrolled in classes at their home institutions without having to seek outside employment.
Two tiers of Fellowships are offered at Oak Crest: (1) for students who plan to transfer to 4-year colleges and pursue STEM majors; and (2) for students who plan to enter the workforce after obtaining their associate degree.
Recruitment for The Rose Hills Foundation Research Fellows Program occurs twice annually, in September and March. Interested, eligible students are encouraged to apply via e-mail.