EschLEAD program opens doors to research for undergraduates

A new program at Washington State University is giving undergraduate students, regardless of their grade point averages or levels of experience, the unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in some of the university's most advanced research labs.

The EschLEAD (Learn, Experience, Apply, Deliver) Program, launched this fall in the College of Veterinary Medicine, aims to open doors to hands-on research for students from all academic backgrounds and any major, providing them with the skills, mentorship, and support needed to thrive in lab settings and research fields.

"It's an experiential learning environment for undergraduate students. We place translational skills and technology, diversity of hands-on experience, professional development, and successful life skills at the center of a guided and inclusive process," said Ryan Driskell, who serves as the program's director and as an associate professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences.

EschLEAD is a 2025 initiative in the College of Veterinary Medicine's Strategic Plan for 2024-30. It is based on a pilot program Driskell implemented in his Fibroblast and Skin Regeneration Laboratory to encourage undergraduate participation in research. The EschLEAD program was established through a donation by Robert Esch ('75 BS, '78 MS) and Katherine Esch.

While there are plans to expand in future years, the program currently includes four College of Veterinary Medicine faculty members in addition to Driskell: Kristen Delevich, an assistant professor in Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience; Arden Baylink, an assistant professor in Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology; Heather Koehler, an assistant professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences; and Nathan Law, an assistant professor who will officially join the School of Molecular Biosciences in January. Rather than limiting participation to a handful of students based on academic performance alone, EschLEAD faculty open their labs to undergraduate students from all backgrounds, experiences, and academic disciplines, promoting inclusivity over exclusivity.

"There are many wonderful programs where students apply and are selected primarily for their academic strengths. This is not that," Delevich said. "This is come on in, get experience and, through what you show us, you can rise into leadership positions."

Driskell emphasized that no experience is required for a student to become an EschLEAD scholar.

"Students simply need enthusiasm, dedication, and the ability to work responsibly, respectfully and safely in a lab environment," Driskell said. "In addition, first-year students are very welcome."

Interested students are encouraged to join the program as early as their first year on campus. Participants, mentored by EschLEAD faculty, gain exposure to diverse tasks, from budgeting and conducting assays to molecular cloning and colony maintenance. This practical experience builds not only technical skills but also supervisory abilities that prepare them for the professional world.

"We break complex science down into simpler, more manageable parts so students can learn at their own pace and build skills," Driskell said. "Some students progress quickly; others take a slower approach. This flexibility accommodates all learning styles and approaches to lab work."

As students grow within the program, many will take on leadership roles and eventually earn significant lab responsibilities. All EschLEAD scholars will also have opportunities to achieve concrete milestones during their time in the program, from presenting posters and building websites to contributing to publications.

"They're going to have something to show at the end of this," Delevich said. "Whether it's a poster presentation or a co-authored paper, these experiences give students meaningful accomplishments to highlight as they move forward in their careers."

Faculty involved in the program meet regularly to discuss what works well, what needs improvement, and how to best support students. This continual evaluation benefits both students and faculty, fostering a culture of collaborative growth and adaptation.

In the future, there are plans for partnerships with industries eager to collaborate and to hire graduates with hands-on research experience.