Click
here to see the list of Students Who Participated
in the Program: Click
here to see Students 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 45
students participated in the internship program,
almost 50% were channeled to graduate school,
and four are already pursuing doctor's degree.
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 fallow. We make ourselves
their model.
- We talk about 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 in equipment
We teach them how to work properly with equipment
and we don't make a big deal if damaged 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 maintained longer in the internships
wants to go to graduate school.
- Maintain contact with students after the
internships
This is very important to maintain the flame
of graduate school burning on them.
- Technician working together is a plus
A good technician becomes like a Mom or Dad
to them, and they will listen
