Wharton County Junior College students Philip Salinas of Wallis and Gabriela Medina of Richmond will spend part of this summer conducting scientific research at Rice University. Pictured, from left, are Salinas and WCJC Biology Department Chair Jennifer Mahlmann.
WHARTON, TEXAS – Two Wharton County Junior College science students will spend their summer conducting high-level research at Rice University. Through the BioNetworks Research Experiences for Undergrads (REU) Program, WCJC students Gabriela Medina of Richmond and Philip Salinas of Wallis will spend 10 weeks on research projects involving developmental biology and gene networks under Rice University professors.
It’s a unique opportunity that could have far-reaching benefits, says WCJC’s Biology Department Chair Jennifer Mahlmann.
“This can be a golden key to future opportunities,” she said.
Upon invitation from WCJC Instructor of Biology Dr. Archna Bhasin, Dr. Natasha Kirienko of Rice University gave an informational presentation earlier this year on Rice REUs for WCJC science students. Medina and Salinas applied for the BioNetworks REU – a highly competitive program – and were both chosen.
“Jennifer and I are so happy that Gabby and Philip got into the program,” Bhasin said. “REUs are a life-changing experience.”
Bhasin participated in an REU program at the University of Texas in Austin as an undergraduate and used the experience as a launch pad for obtaining her Ph.D. in Biochemistry.
“The degree of learning that happens in a full-time research experiences is leaps and bounds above what we can do in a classroom setting,” she explained.
The Rice REU program begins on May 28. Medina and Salinas will live on the Rice Campus during the program and earn a stipend. Both are first-generation college students and are thankful for such a unique opportunity.
“I’m really excited,” said Medina, who hopes to become a marine biologist. “I’ve really wanted to learn more about research.”
Salinas is a biology major and in his second semester at WCJC.
“I’m looking forward to learning more about viruses and diseases,” he said.
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