Education Workforce Development

March 6, 2024March 6, 2024

2023 GRA: Meet our graduate research assistants!

Since joining the Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistantship program, these graduate students will receive mentorship, training, and fieldwork experience as they pursue their master’s degree over the next three years.

ANELA DUENAS

“What made me want to get into marine science is when I got to experience a summer program as an elementary student and I was able to look at coral under a microscope at one of the beaches in Saipan,” said Anela Duenas. “I got to see the coral and how they move and how they’re alive and not rocks in the ocean. That experience inspired me and that made me keep going until now.”

While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Duenas was an NSF INCLUDES: SEAS Islands Alliance fellow as well as a Guam NSF EPSCoR student researcher.

Duenas joined the GRA program to encourage her peers to enjoy research. During her time in the Student Research Experience program, she received mentorship and guidance from a GRA named Justin Berg.

“Working with Justin was really fun and how he helped me as an undergrad encouraged me to help others and do what he did,” said Duenas.

Under the mentorship of Bastian Bentlage, Ph.D., an associate professor of bioinformatics and co-principal investigator of Guam NSF EPSCoR, Duenas is looking into assemblages of Symbiodiniaceae in two coral species – Acropora pulchra and Pavona decussata.

As a CHamoru scientist, Duenas hopes to inspire others within the region to pursue careers in STEM.

“I’ve felt personally connected to the land and the ocean ever since I was growing up, so it’s really cool for me to actually be working in this field and try to better our environment,” said Duenas. “I feel like I don’t see as many local scientists from here and

doing work here, so I hope I get to do some great work and hopefully inspire other locals in this area.”

DIANA NOTO

Diana Noto has always liked the ocean.

“I grew up on Long Island, so I lived in proximity to the water,” said Noto. “They weren’t particularly beautiful or clear beaches, but I always loved it. When I moved to Florida, I didn’t get to be closer to the water, but I got to go to the beach a lot more and get exposed to coral reefs. That’s how I got interested in the marine sciences.”

Noto heard about the program through Garret O’Donnell, a GRA who joined the program in 2022.

“Before he joined the program, Garret had also worked at the Florida Museum in the same lab as me,” said Noto. “When I was applying, I heard that Dr. Robert Lasley, who I worked with before, was taking on a student so I decided to just go for it.”

Robert Lasley, Ph.D., is a crustacean biologist and the associate curator of the Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium for Corals and Oceans (GECCO) Biorepository, a natural history collection of specimens operated by Guam NSF EPSCoR.

“The program’s been really fun so far,” said Noto. “All the other students have been super great. I’ve learned a lot of cool things. Just being near so many cool sites to do fieldwork has been pretty amazing.”

NIKKO GALANTO

Nikko Galanto’s interest in marine biology was fostered in his junior year of high school.

“My teacher was really influential, and she taught us that Guam is unique and that whatever we do on the island has a huge impact on our surrounding oceans,” said Galanto.

Galanto heard about the GRA program in 2019 while he was pursuing his undergraduate degree. During that time, he became a student researcher as part of Guam NSF EPSCoR’s Student Research Experience and eventually went on to work as a DNA barcoding technician at the GECCO Biorepository.

“I thought that since graduate school was a part of my plans and that I’ve always been a part of EPSCoR, I decided to apply to the GRA program,” said Galanto. “I just hope to become a more well-rounded scientist. I’ve learned now that there’s so much I don’t know and that’s a good thing. “

Under the mentorship of Diego Vaz, Ph.D., a fish morphologist and the associate curator of the GECCO Biorepository, Galanto is exploring the systematics and morphology of blenny fish. Blenny fish are small, elongated fish that can be found on the ocean floor, in reefs, or in burrows.

As someone who grew up on Guam, Galanto said that his perspective as a local scientist gives him a really great insight into both the island’s environment and its community.

“I want to emphasize that we need a lot of representation in the field of STEM,” said Galanto. “I think it’s important to see POC in all walks of science and I think that’s

important because we all have different experiences – especially if we come from different islands and backgrounds. We all have something to contribute.”

February 29, 2024March 6, 2024

UOG grad student represents Guam in international fish conference

Karina Mejia, a Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistant in the University of Guam’s Master of Science in Biology program, presented her research at the 2023 Indo-Pacific Fish Conference which was held at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

The Indo-Pacific Fish Conference, which happens every four years, is one of the world’s premier ichthyological conferences and is highly anticipated by marine, estuarine, and freshwater specialists. The event is organized by the Australian Society for Fish Biology, which aims to promote research, education, and management of fish and fisheries across the Indo-Pacific.

Mejia’s presentation was entitled, “Population Genetics of the Catadromous Eel, Anguilla marmorata, in Guam and the Indo Pacific.”

Giant mottled eels (Anguilla marmorata) are the most common eels in the Indo-Pacific and Guam. They are an important food fish and an apex predator in many tropical islands and continental streams of the Indo-Pacific, according to the study’s abstract. Determining the eel’s geological and oceanographic location and temporal spawning patterns will provide information key to effective conservation.

During the event, Mejia found it exciting to meet people within her field. She connected with a doctoral student named Yusuke Amai who invited her to explore doctoral programs at the University of Tokyo, which she was able to visit in December. While she was in Japan, Mejia met with Nina Yasuda, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Tokyo who has been helping her with the genetic portion of her research.

“At first, I was intimidated since I was surrounded by experts, but I learned to not be scared and shy to interact with fellow scientists,” said Mejia. “I am glad I learned to overcome my nervousness since I was able to meet a variety of wonderful people and interact with potential mentors for a Ph.D.”

February 25, 2024March 6, 2024

Young entrepreneurs receive mentorship from G3 Makerspace

Prikura Guahan President Yang Wang and team members Jerrick Palomares, Harry Vitae, and Eric Kwan showcase the latte-stone-shaped stamp and inkpad set they crafted using locally sourced wood and invasive bamboo. The team created the product for the 2023-2024 JA Company of the Year Competition using equipment from the G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub (Photo credit: UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant)

Prikura Guahan’s latte-stone-shaped stamp and inkpad set crafted from locally sourced wood and invasive bamboo. G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub has been actively involved in assisting Junior Achievement Guam teams such as Prikura (Preserve) Guahan in crafting products for the annual JA Company of the Year Competition Hub (Photo credit: UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant)

The Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub (G3 Makerspace) opened its doors to Junior Achievement (JA) Guam teams as they prepared for a competition for young entrepreneurs.

JA is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating students about work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs.

In February of this year, the non-profit held the 2023-2024 JA Company of the Year Competition at the Guam Community College in Mangilao to recognize these young entrepreneurs and their innovative products.

Each year, G3 Makerspace has been actively involved in assisting JA teams such as Prikura (Preserve) Guahan, whose members consist of students from Harvest Christian Academy and St. John’s School.

In December, Prikura Guahan attended mentorship sessions and workshops focused on using the cutting-edge equipment at the G3 Makerspace. At the end of the sessions, Prikura Guahan used the G3 Makerspace equipment to turn locally sourced wood and invasive bamboo into a latte-stone-shaped stamp and inkpad set for the competition.

“The reason why we chose the stamp is because we wanted to show how invasive bamboo is to Guam. So, for our inkpads, we used invasive species bamboo to make the ink itself,” said Yang Wang, Harvest Christian Academy student and Prikura Guahan president.

The team engraved positive messages such as ‘good work’ and ‘hafa adai’ into the latte stone-shaped stamps. “For the stamp, we used locally sourced wood and laser-cutting and wood-cutting machines to create the (latte stone) shape and laser-engraved parts,” she added.

Wang credits G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub coordinator Abby Crain for providing guidance in the production process. Wang said Crain suggested using charcoalized and crushed invasive bamboo for the inkpads.

“We assist the teams however we can — whether mentoring, counseling, consulting on materials to use, packaging, and even during conceptualization. We also help them develop and find the most cost-effective ways for production,” Crain said on the range of assistance provided by G3 Makerspace to Prikura Guahan and other JA teams.

“We have a partnership with Junior Achievement. Our (Makerspace’s) mission is to promote circular economy and sustainability, and we also aim to promote local production and utilize the plethora of resources available on Guam. We encourage people to buy local instead of importing, and we want to help business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs,” Crain added.

According to a release from JA, 146 high school students joined this year’s competition, with nine student companies stepping up to the challenge. Companies such as Graphic Center, Title Guaranty of Guam, GTA, Dusit Thani Resort Guam, Bank of Hawaii, and Community First Guam provided support to the student teams.

February 25, 2024March 6, 2024

Young entrepreneurs receive mentorship from G3 Makerspace

January 25, 2024January 25, 2024

Three represent UOG at international coastal sciences conference

A team from the University of Guam attends the 2023 Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation Conference (CERF) from November 12 - 16, 2023, in Portland, Oregon. (From top left) Sarai Vega, Dr. Cheryl Sangueza, Anna Aguirre, Anthony Ritter, Tonya McDaniel, Lynn Galang, and Anela Duenas — A team from the University of Guam attends the 2023 Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation Conference (CERF) from November 12 – 16, 2023, in Portland, Oregon. (From top left) Sarai Vega, Dr. Cheryl Sangueza, Anna Aguirre, Anthony Ritter, Tonya McDaniel, Lynn Galang, and Anela Duenas

During the event, UOG students had the opportunity to interact with peers, network with scientists within their fields, and attend workshops and panel discussions. This year’s delegation included Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistants Anela Duenas and Sarai Vega as well as Lynn Galang, a 2022 undergraduate student researcher.

Three student researchers from the University of Guam attended the 2023 Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation Conference (CERF), which was held from November 12 – 16, 2023, in Portland, Oregon.

The conference is a biennial international meeting of coastal and estuarine scientists and managers that aims to advance the understanding and stewardship of these ecosystems worldwide.

This year’s conference theme was “Resilience and Recovery,” which was chosen to reflect not only the scientific context of those terms but also the resilience of CERF’s community members through the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the event, students had the opportunity to interact with peers, network with scientists within their fields, and attend workshops and panel discussions.

This year’s delegation included Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistants Anela Duenas and Sarai Vega as well as Lynn Galang, a 2022 undergraduate student researcher.

During the conference, Duenas presented her research poster entitled, “Ecophysiology of reef flat coral species replacement in the Mariana Islands.” Her study focused on analyzing endosymbiont communities within stony corals such as Acropora pulchra and Pavona decussata to gather insight about their role in coral resilience.

“My CERF 2023 experience was amazing! I felt so inspired by all the research and people I met. I especially loved the CERF Conference because it was not too big of a conference where you could feel lost and out of place. Instead, the conference felt warm and welcoming like catching up with old friends,” said Duenas.

Galang’s presentation was titled “Taxonomic and Genetic Diversity of the Corallivorous Snail, Drupella spp., on Guam.” Her study focused on determining what species of coral-eating snails are present on Guam to better inform coral management practices.

For her poster presentation entitled, “A seasonal study of meiofauna distribution in Pago Bay, Guam,” Vega explored the world of meiofauna — invertebrates that live in marine and freshwater environments between sand and mud on the seafloor and riverbeds. Copepods, flatworms, and nematodes fall under meiofauna. Vega’s study focused on how environmental changes affect meiobenthic communities

In a session called “Stories from the Braided River: Nonlinear, Enriching Workforce Pathways and Narratives in Coastal Science and Management,” Vega also delivered a presentation about her journey to graduate school in a session entitled, “How many turns does it take? My path to graduate school and beyond.”

Vega’s oral presentation detailed the challenges and successes she faced navigating higher education as an international student, changing her major and choice of career, as well as working while taking classes.

“I learned that when I have doubts in my abilities by taking a hold in the confidence other people have in me, I am able to make the first step,” said Vega. “It’s not “fake it till you make it” – it’s a lot better than that. It’s knowing that you have the support of your ancestors, generations behind you who have worked hard for us to get to where we are. It’s knowing that no matter what, my value as someone in science goes beyond what I can or cannot do. It’s understanding that in a safe environment, learning is bound to take place. “

January 9, 2024January 17, 2024

Two graduate research assistants defend theses

MacKenzie Heagy defends her master’s thesis on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at the University of Guam Marine Laboratory.

Grace McDermott virtually defends her master’s thesis entitled, “Intraspecific color variation in Porites cylindrica: the role of color variation in coral resilience,” on Monday, December 1, 2023.

Two Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research assistants closed out their time with the program by defending their master’s theses.

MacKenzie Heagy, a graduate in the University of Guam’s master of science in biology program, defended her master’s thesis on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at the UOG Marine Laboratory.

Her thesis was titled, “Diversity and biogeography of the Mastophoraceae in the Mariana Islands.”

Mastophoraceae is a family of crustose calcifying red algae. Representatives of this family are widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific and are particularly abundant on tropical reefs.

As part of her study, Heagy collected samples off the coast of Guam, Saipan, and Rota from various habitats such as surf benches, algal bridges, and reef flats. Over the course of her project, around 300 presumed mastophoroid specimens were collected – including seven new species.

Her advisor was Tom Schils, Ph.D., a UOG professor of marine biology. Heagy’s committee consisted of Bastian Bentlage, Ph.D., the co-principal of Guam NSF EPSCoR and Gavin Maneveldt, Ph.D, a professor of marine biology and biodiversity studies from the University of the Western Cape.

In addition, Grace McDermott, a graduate biology student at UOG, virtually defended her master’s thesis entitled, “Intraspecific color variation in Porites cylindrica: the role of color variation in coral resilience,” on Monday, December 1, 2023.

McDermott collected samples of Porites cylindrica, a species of stony coral, from Luminao, Piti East, and Tumon to compare how their brown and yellow color morphs responded to disease and bleaching conditions.

Her advisor was UOG Marine Laboratory Director Laurie Raymundo, Ph.D. McDermott’s committee consisted of Raymundo, Bentlage, and Héloïse Louise Rouzé, Ph.D., a senior research associate from UOG.

December 26, 2023December 27, 2023

University of Guam researchers develop new way of analyzing coral-associated microalgae

UOG biology alumnus Colin Anthony authored the research report “Rapid, high-throughput phenotypic profiling of endosymbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodiniaceae) using benchtop flow cytometry,” which was published in PLoS ONE in September 2023 (Photos courtesy of Guam NSF EPSCoR).

UOG biology alumnus Colin Lock co-authored the paper along with Anthony and assisted with the development of the new method (Photos courtesy of Guam NSF EPSCoR).

This new method of analyzing Symbiodiniaceae utilizes flow cytometry, a technique that uses lasers to detect and measure the physical and chemical characteristics of a population of cells (Photos courtesy of Guam NSF EPSCoR).

Before a sample can be processed by a flow cytometer, algal cells have to be separated from the coral skeleton and coral tissue (Photos courtesy of Guam NSF EPSCoR).

Researchers from the University of Guam have published a study in the journal PLoS ONE detailing a new method for analyzing Symbiodiniaceae, a type of microalgae vital to coral reef health. According to the paper, published in September, this procedure allows scientists to receive data within one day compared to other methods that are either expensive, take months to process, or lack resolution.

Symbiodiniaceae is a family of marine microalgae known for their symbiotic relationships with reef-building corals, giant clams, jellyfish, and other marine invertebrates. Understanding Symbiodiniaceae is crucial to those working to protect and restore coral reefs that are under threat around the world due to climate change.

According to the article, many techniques used to analyze Symbiodiniaceae are often low resolution, expensive, and inaccessible to researchers.

To address this issue, two research associates from the UOG Marine Laboratory developed a protocol that collects information on cell shape, size, and photopigments for thousands of Symbiodiniaceae cells in just a few minutes.

“We basically showed that you can use flow cytometry to better understand coral-associated algae,” said lead author Colin Anthony, a former Guam NSF EPSCoR graduate research assistant. “Using this method, you remove the algal cells from within the coral tissue, process them with the flow cytometer which hits them with a bunch of lasers, and then you get an idea of the state of the algae and its ability to acclimate or adapt to environmental conditions.”

Flow cytometry is a technique that uses lasers to detect and measure the physical and chemical characteristics of a population of cells. This technology is typically used in drug testing and cancer research.

“It’s a pretty widely accepted technique,” said co-author Colin Lock. “Within the coral world, flow cytometry is hugely underutilized. Regarding algae, what we’re finding out is that there are different species with different tolerances, so you can look at the shifts between species within a coral host.”

Anthony developed this new method while pursuing his graduate degree at UOG.

“When I started my master’s in 2020, I thought I was going to look at the biodiversity of Symbiodiniaceae,” said Anthony. “I later realized that there were all these other aspects of flow cytometry that people don’t really acknowledge or understand in the coral community.”

While the technique mentioned in the paper is designed for corals, Anthony said that with slight modification, it can be used for any organism that contains endosymbiotic algae such as upside-down jellyfish as well as any free-living ocean algae.

Because this method produces such a high output of data in a significantly shorter amount of time compared to other procedures, both Anthony and Lock hope that other scientists within their field start using this technique.

“It’s a lot of work to come up with a new method because there’s so much troubleshooting involved with its development,” said Lock. “This can be used to examine responses in a lot of different organisms, and we just hope that people adopt it and start integrating it into their work.”

December 21, 2023December 21, 2023

Discovering 3D printing at Hagåtña’s G3 Makerspace

Tim Udo, G3 Makerspace Coordinator discussing details of his team's 3D printing workshop

Two of the 3D printing machines housed at the Guam Green Growth Circular Economy & Inovation Hub in Hagatña

The polyethylene terephthalate machine (PET), used to make 3D printing fillament

A brid's-eye view of the PET machine with pictured fillament coiled on the left

A 3D printed karabao (water buffalo) created from fillament using recycled plastics

More 3D printed objects, including two karaboa and a replica of the mermaid statue found in Sirena Park in Hagatña, all accomplished using a special 3D scanning phone application

Leading the charge in showcasing the possibilities of 3D printing to the public is the Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace & Innovation Hub, located in Chamorro Village in Hagåtña.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, operates similarly to a conventional printer. Instead of using ink on paper, it builds an object by layering filament—material used in 3D printing—to recreate a 3D scanned object.

Filament can range from materials such as plastics, clay, or even concrete, though the scope of substances used in printing will broaden as the industry continues to develop.

Tim Udo, G3 Makerspace coordinator, who helps teach the introductory classes for 3D printing, explains how this new industry can contribute to a circular economy and a cleaner environment in many ways.

Along with the creation of a machine that turns non-recyclable plastics like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into filament for 3D printers, the machines at G3 Makerspace can also print objects from polyether ether ketone (PEEK), which, after printing and annealing (heat treatment), has the same strength as steel.

Additionally, G3 Makerspace has another 3D printer specifically for using clay as a filament, which Udo says can be used for building structures or tiles that can further regrow coral.

At the G3 Makerspace 3D Printing Basics Workshop, classes are capped at three participants per class, allowing instructors ample one-on-one time with students.

Although classes generally take place on Wednesday nights during the Chamorro Village night market festivities, Udo welcomes anyone wanting to take classes during the day to speak with him at the G3 Makerspace, and he will work with their schedule.

Additionally, participants can look forward to Udo and other instructors teaching students about G-code, which is a widely used Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and 3D printing language used to communicate ideas to the 3D printing software.

At the end of the class, students will get to print their keychains, whistles, or 3D-printed characters as keepsakes to take home.

With the seemingly endless potential of the 3D printing industry, Udo, a mechanical engineer by trade, imparts some advice for any aspiring engineers regarding the limitations of additive manufacturing.

“If you want to do any kind of engineering, carpentry, or any kind of fabricating work, what you need to have is creativity. As long as you have creativity and interest to learn, you can make anything. [The Makerspace] can help you along the way with technical knowledge and the software, but as long as your mind can think of it, you can create it.”

As classes and activities expand at the G3 Makerspace & Innovation Hub, Tim Udo encourages the public to pay a visit to the shop at Chamorro Village.

“I think it is valuable for people to know that we are open to the public. People can get memberships here either on a monthly or yearly basis and then they can come here and utilize all the machinery we have. You can come and take a class for the laser [engraver], learn how it works, and then start cranking out your own products. The same goes for the CNC and the 3D printer. Come here, and we will teach you how to make all of it.”

Classes take place on Wednesdays during the Chamorro Village Night Market festivities. Participants who are 18 years old and older are welcome to sign up either in person or on the G3 Makerspace’s Instagram page.

December 5, 2023January 4, 2024

New Student Researchers Complete Guam NSF EPSCoR 2023 Student Research Experience Program

Guam NSF EPSCoR is excited to celebrate five undergraduate students from the University of Guam for completing their term with the 2023 Student Research Experience, which provides research opportunities and mentorship to selected students for a year.

As part of their research training, these students conducted field work to investigate coral reefs and learned skills such as DNA extraction and sequencing.

This year, the program’s student researchers engaged in a variety of fields such as coral genomics, marine microbiology, marine ecophysiology, and more.

ANNA MALLARI

Anna Mallari is a civil engineering student who, under the mentorship of Dr. Bastian Bentlage, studied microbial communities in the soils within the La Sa Fua Watershed in southern Guam.

“I believe that learning goes beyond the classroom setting, as it involves not only understanding theories and concepts but also applying them to solve real-world problems,” Mallari said. “Having the opportunity to conduct research that could contribute to our island’s sustainability is such a rewarding feeling.”

Mallari said that engaging in a research experience as an undergraduate was a privilege for her and that she found conducting research outside of the field of engineering a welcome challenge.

During her time in the program, Mallari was one of two UOG students who researched how to convert seawater into renewable energy as part of a summer program held at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

MERRY ANN OCAMPO

Integrative biology major Merry Ann Ocampo said that the Guam NSF EPSCoR SRE program has not only opened up research opportunities for her, but the chance to connect with the community.

“As much as I enjoy my research, sharing it with the community is the best part because I get to interact with others about my new findings and my experience in being a student researcher,” said Ocampo. “Seeing others interested in my research makes me really happy and reminds me why I love science and research.”

Under the mentorship of Christopher Lobban, Ph.D., Ocampo studied the diatom genus Mastogloia on sea grass leaves. Diatoms are microalgae which can be found in every habitat where water is present. For her research project, Ocampo collected sea grass from various parts of Guam including sandy beaches and mangrove forests.

MADELINE GONZALEZ

Integrative biology major Madeline Gonzalez said that the Guam NSF EPSCoR SRE program is a great opportunity to learn new skills and explore careers.

Under the mentorship of Sarah Lemer, Ph.D., Gonalez studied the phylogeny of Spondylidae, a family of bivalve mollusks.

“Seeing the real-world applications of what I have been learning in my courses has been exciting.” said Gonzalez. “I’m always looking forward to learning something new – and there is always something new to learn in the lab.”

CASSANDRA PAULE

During her time in the Guam NSF EPSCoR SRE program, integrative biology major Cassandra Paule studied coral reproduction under the mentorship of Ciemon Caballes, Ph.D.

“I’m ecstatic to be a part of this research community,” said Paule.

BRANDON RESPICIO

Brandon Respicio is a secondary education major with a focus in mathematics who studied under the mentorship of Héloïse Rouzé, Ph.D., during his time in the SRE program.

Respicio’s project focused on the endolithic algae Ostreobium and the effect it has on the coral species Porites cylindrica. For his study, he compared P. cylindrica from Luminao and Tumon based on the eutrophication levels found in these areas.

Before his time in the SRE program, Respicio was in the 2022 Guam NSF EPSCoR Summer Math Research Program. During his time in the program, he was able to produce mathematical models based on coral reef dynamics in relation to algae.

“I enjoyed the research and experience I gained while being a EPSCoR SRE,” Respicio said.

In October 2023, Respicio’s project won a student poster award at this year’s 2023 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference.

October 20, 2023December 27, 2023

Guam NSF EPSCoR prepares students for SACNAS conference

Guam NSF EPSCoR along with the NSF INCLUDES: SEAS Islands Alliance Guam Hub held a near peer session last Thursday, October 12, at the University of Guam to prepare their program participants for the upcoming 2023 SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science) NDISTEM Conference, which will take place in Portland, Oregon from October 26 - 28.

During the session, undergraduate and graduate student researchers talked about their experiences at past SACNAS conferences and gave advice to those who will attend the event for the first time.

This year, five undergraduate student researchers, four graduate research assistants, and three current summer math research program participants along with one alum from Guam NSF EPSCoR will be a part of a cohort of 34 students from the University of Guam who will attend the conference.

Guam NSF EPSCoR along with the NSF INCLUDES: SEAS Islands Alliance Guam Hub held a near peer session on Thursday, October 12, at the University of Guam to prepare their program participants for the upcoming 2023 SACNAS NDISTEM Conference, which took place in Portland, Oregon from October 26 – 28.

This year, five undergraduate student researchers, four graduate research assistants, and two current summer math research program participants along with one alum from Guam NSF EPSCoR will be a part of a cohort of 34 students from the University of Guam who will attend the conference.

During the session, undergraduate and graduate student researchers talked about their experiences at past SACNAS conferences and gave advice to those who will attend the event for the first time.

“Students got into their individualized groups and learned how to better design their posters so that they’re not overwhelming but also still eye-catching,” said Emily Wendte, the Guam NSF EPSCoR Education and Workforce Development program associate. “When it comes to these sessions, we like to incorporate our own culture and identity while also relaying this scientific research in a very credible way.”

With guidance from Guam NSF EPSCOR and NSF INCLUDES staff, students discussed strategies on how to network at conference, entice attendees to visit their poster presentations, and bring their most authentic selves to the event.

“I really love the community that these near peer sessions have created,” said Wendte. “Students who have been to SACNAs or who have been a world traveler are able to relay tips and information on what to expect and what things will be like. We have some students who have never flown before and they’ve never gone that far. It’s really exciting to take them all the way to Oregon, but also be at a conference that supports who they are and the work that they do.”