By Fatima Salinas
Fourth-year student Lee Flores is studying computer science and engineering and is part of the MARC program in the Iowa Sciences Academy. Flores’ goal is to apply computer science and computational methods to behavioral science and the Iowa Sciences Academy is supporting Flores' development toward that goal.
“My favorite part of being in the program is the outstanding support it provides,” Flores said. “Through informational sessions, seminars, and mentorship, I feel consistently encouraged by my peers and the staff. The program gives students the resources, connections, and community of like-minded students to help you succeed.”
The Iowa Sciences Academy, part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is home to four programs that support the academic and personal success of undergraduate students interested in scientific research and communication.
The academy focuses on career development and professional identity to support students interested in scientific research careers.
Lori Adams, professor in the Department of Biology and the academy’s director, said the programs give students access to hands-on research, professional development, and scientific outreach opportunities. Students can identify online which programs they qualify for and when applications are accepted.
“The focus for the ISA is around supporting career development,” Adams said. “We focus on student development and help them think about professional identity and who they want to be.”
The Science Alliance Internship is generally geared toward first- and second-year students who are interested in research. They are paid to conduct research and attend professional development events.
The UI Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (UI-LSAMP) is federally funded with the goal of increasing representation and diversity in science. The UI-MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers) program is also federally funded and is meant for students who are interested in earning a doctorate in bio sciences.
Finally, the Latham Science Engagement Fellowship is a two-semester program funded by doctors Bob and Sue Latham. It supports students in developing and implementing science outreach projects in the community.
“Some examples of projects that students have completed include books, like children's books that communicate science. They've published them on Amazon, for example, and have done readings in the community,” Adams said. “Some students do hands-on activities to increase science exposure in the communities that they're interested in.”
Seren Castellano, another member of the academy and a third-year undergraduate student double majoring in anthropology and biology with a minor in ancient civilizations, is part of the Science Alliance Internship, the Latham Science Engagement Fellowship, and the UI-MARC program.
“I started being a member of the Iowa Sciences Academy at the beginning of my second semester of my freshman year through the Science Alliance Internship,” Castellano said. “I was able to get paid to get the experience in research and see if it was something I wanted to pursue in the future, and sure enough, I fell in love with conducting research in the end.”
Across multiple programs, she has made friends and other connections she would not have made if she did not participate in the academy.
“This program has been pivotal in my undergraduate career and has set me up for future graduate schools that I wish to pursue in the future,” Castellano said. “If there are any students interested in research, but do not know where to start then definitely check out this program because you never know what to expect if you don’t try it out.”