Students embrace research at REUs

Claxton, a senior from Dahlonega, Georgia, pursuing a degree in chemistry, said her UNG professors Dr. Brad Herbert and Dr. Ryan Meier encouraged her to apply for an REU.

"Being pushed to be uncomfortable ended up making me more confident in my own skills," Claxton said. "I realized I belong and I can do these things."

Her REU at the University of Mississippi under the direction of Dr. Vignesh Sundaresan focused on electrodepositing gold onto electrodes. She can later use these electrodes to fabricate a device to study reactions at nanoscale, which can be used in biosensors for applications such as diabetes monitors. She also made helpful connections and hopes to return to Mississippi for graduate school in Sundaresan's lab.

Martin, a senior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in biology and a minor in neuroscience, has taken part in a pair of research projects at UNG: one with Dr. Erin Barding on wildlife camera trap footage and another with Dr. Ryan Shanks, Dr. Meg Smith and Barding on caterpillars' behavioral and perceptive systems.

"Those projects helped me show that I had initiative and prepared me to do what I would be doing at my REU," Martin said.

She worked with Dr. Laura O'Dell at UTEP on research into the relationship between nicotine withdrawal severity and ovarian female hormones. It is exactly the kind of women's health research she hopes to continue in the future because of the toll she has seen a lack of research take on her friends' medical journeys and day-to-day quality of life.

Martin displayed tenacity in applying for 27 REUs and being accepted to two. She will always be grateful for her time at UTEP.

"This REU helped to boost my confidence in my path to higher education by allowing me to perform graduate-level research," Martin said. "It has ultimately confirmed my goals of pursuing graduate training and a career in biomedical research."

McWilliams, a sophomore from Alpharetta, Georgia, pursuing a degree in psychology, took part in his REU at UNC right before transferring into UNG from Morehouse College this fall.

McWilliams' REU under the direction of Dr. Shauna Cooper researched the effect of Black fathers and the support they receive on their children's development. He was the youngest of the eight participants in his REU, as all others were preparing for their senior years.

"It was an amazing experience to start so early, and I'm hoping to continue that," McWilliams said.

McWilliams, who is also pursuing a minor in neuroscience, is already looking forward to the research and other chances for growth UNG has available in the Department of Psychological Science.

"I have an opportunity to set myself up for the future," McWilliams said. "Dr. Bryan Dawson opened my eyes to many of the opportunities available here."