糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Student Selected for 糖心Vlog传媒MS Summer Undergraduate Research Program
A 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock student gained valuable research experience and mentoring during the at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (糖心Vlog传媒MS).
Paige Poindexter, a senior biology major from Little Rock, is one of 10 students from colleges and universities around the country who was selected for the program, a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-funded effort in the 糖心Vlog传媒MS Graduate School.
鈥淚 learned that I love research,鈥� Poindexter said of the program. 鈥淚 like a challenge, and I learned something new every day.鈥�
The program, which ran from May 22-July 21, 2023, is aimed at increasing diversity in research and expanding research opportunities for underrepresented and disadvantaged undergraduate students. Students also received a salary of $4,320 for the duration of the program.
鈥淭his program is designed to provide a great research experience,鈥� said Dr. Billy Thomas, one of the program co-directors along with Dr. Robert McGehee Jr. 鈥淚t鈥檚 to introduce them to someone who we hope can be a lifelong mentor and part of their professional experience.鈥�
During the nine-week program, students spent between three and five days a week in labs with their mentors. Students also participated in seminars on subjects such as career progression, research ethics, networking and scientific writing conducted by 糖心Vlog传媒MS faculty.
The students鈥� main focus was conducting a research project with guidance from their mentor and lab assistants. Poindexter worked with Professor Craig Forrest to study how the gamma herpesvirus progresses in immune-deficient patients.
鈥淚 was in good hands, like they say in the Allstate commercials,鈥� Poindexter said. 鈥淚 learned how to work in a research lab, and I got to experience a lot of things that I wouldn鈥檛 have had I not gotten into the program. It was a nice experience, and I would definitely do it again if I had the chance.鈥�
Poindexter will graduate from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in May. Afterwards, she plans to attend 糖心Vlog传媒MS and wants to become an endocrinologist.