Undergraduate Internships
Click here to see the list of students who participated in the program.
Click here to see student testimonials.
History
The hands-on undergraduate research internship program started in the year 2000 through a collaboration between Texas A&M University- Kingsville Citrus Center (TAMUK-CC), biotechnology lab and the University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB), Department of Biology. The objective was to provide hands research experience for undergraduate students and channel them to graduate school in agricultural biotechnology. The main target of the project is the Hispanic community which lacks behind in educational attainment compared to other ethnical groups. Dr. Louzada, from TAMUK-CC and Dr. Allison Abell, from UTB, were funded for over $ 270,000 to start the project. In 2001, they were again funded for almost $ 300,000. In 2003, Dr. Louzada started cooperation with Dr. Michael Persans from the University of Texas Pan-American (UTPA), and received an additional $ 300,000 for the project. The program was so successful that in 2006 they received $ 339,000 to continue the project. So far, more than 55 students participated in the internship program, 25 were channeled to graduate school including 10 at doctorate level. The majority of the students are Hispanics and most are first in the family to go to college. The program changed the lives of many Hispanic students and it will continue to impact the local population of the Lower Rio Grande Valley in South Texas.
The success of this program could not be achieved if was not for the funding agency, the USDA- Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program, to whom we deeply thank.
Secret of Our Success:
- Open doors
We make sure that all students have the freedom to come to us to discuss any subject. We don't wait for the student to come to us, we go to them. - We are their home model
Many times the students don't have the educational model at home to follow. We make ourselves their model. - We talk about the future all the time
The students need to know the opportunities that they have if they continue their education. - We always stress the fact that they can do and we trust them
- We don't worry about damage to equipment
We teach them how to work properly with equipment and we don't make a big deal if damages occur. It could also happen in our hands. - Student mentoring students
We use students with more experience to mentor new students. This proved to be excellent to make the new interns more comfortable and fell part of the team quicker. - Longer time internships
All students remaining longer in the internship want to go to graduate school. - Maintain contact with students after the internships
This is very important to maintain the flame of graduate school burning in them. - Technician working together is a plus
A good technician becomes like a Mom or Dad to them, and they will listen