The Nebraska Institutional Development Award Program (IDeA) Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program has welcomed 27 undergraduate students from across Nebraska as they embark on their summer research experience at Creighton University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and UNMC.
Below, Jaqwonna Sawyer, a chemistry major at Clark Atlanta University, talks about her experience in both programs.
Who is your hero?
My hero is President Barack Obama. He shows that no matter where you came from and how you were raised; with hard work, dedication and motivation you can still achieve your dreams and be the greatest.
Has science always been a part of your life?
Yes, science has always been part of my life; I wanted to be physician (obstetrician/gynecologist) ever since I was in the fourth grade. I loved learning about biology until I took a chemistry class in high school. That class opened my eyes to a new world. I wanted to learn more about chemistry. That’s why I choose chemistry as a major over biology.
How is it important to you?
It’s important to me because I know it will help me in my future career in the medical field and in medical school. Science shows why we are living and how to live healthy.
Why did you choose to participate in the INBRE program?
The INBRE program will help me to be better in research like it does for others. With the wonderful principal investigators and mentors, I know they can help make me better than I am now in research.
What do you hope to gain from the program?
I hope to increase my knowledge of research and how it would help me in my future career.