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research,” Meenach says. “They even have a chance to explore potential labs that they may choose to work in.”

“Initially I chose working with DNA because I liked how it was a lot of physical work,” Agyemang says. “But I ended up with Professor Andreu, whose work was more mechanical focused, and it was something I was used to.” Collaboration in science is nothing new, and with that comes a sense of togetherness and camaraderie. In addition to the ability to conduct unique experiments and research in these new facilities, Agyemang also hopes to see the already thriving community within the labs at the University continue to grow in a new building. “Certain labs work together on projects… and it would be beneficial to expand more on those collaborations,” says Agyemang. “So, if I can find a way to expand my research to a different field, I’d like that too.”

SAMANTHA MEENACH

Victor Baxt Professor, Chemical Engineering / Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Director, ESTEEMED Program

Giving students a world-class experience Liza Agyemang is a student in the ESTEEMED program working with Assistant Professor Irene Andreu in chemical engineering. Agyemang’s research involves the construction of a new apparatus for observing magnetic nanoparticles and monitoring how they move over time. In her search for the lab that interested her, she explains that she toured multiple labs at URI to find the one that best suited her. In this search, she notes that her decision could have been drastically different depending on the areas of research to consider.

LIZA AGYEMANG Undergraduate student Chemical Engineering URI ESTEEMED Program

health science research. The NIH program engages students enrolled in URI’s Talent Development program that focuses on recruiting and supporting historically underrepresented groups at the University. “The ESTEEMED program at URI exposes first and second year students to research opportunities in the biomedical sciences,” Meenach explains. “It aims to encourage students to stay in STEM by getting them excited about research and exploring what ‘doing research’ really means.” After students complete the Talent Development program the summer before their first semester at URI, the ESTEEMED program holds a week long orientation that emphasizes how research is conducted. “These students participate in activities in which they learn about what it truly means to conduct

“The URI ESTEEMED program aims to encourage students to stay in STEM by getting them excited about research and exploring what ‘doing research’

really means.” - Samantha Meenach

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