Summer interns provide foundation for research work

Oluwatoyin Asojo, Ph.D., and Kohei Homma, Ph.D., right, spend part of their summer mentoring high school students Merelyn Price, second from left, Katherine Ordonez and Leonardo Estrada. (Andrew E. Nelson/UNMC public relations)

For many gifted high school students, the interest is there — but the opportunities are few.

They may want to pursue a career in science but instead must spend their summers working to support their family.

That’s why Oluwatoyin Asojo, Ph.D., assistant professor in UNMC’s pathology and microbiology department, participates in the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Project SEED program. Eight years ago, she started mentoring students through this program at Tibotec in Rockville, Maryland.

“I noticed a need for Project SEED in Nebraska. There are many talented young people who are high-achievers but may not fit into other traditional program boxes,” Dr. Asojo said. “For 41 years, Project SEED has introduced students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to scientific research.”

More about SEED Kohei Homma, Ph.D., instructor of pathology and microbiology, is a co-mentor on the ACS grant that supports the program. Other funding from the program is from the pathology and microbiology department.

This summer, three teens spent their summer in Dr. Asojo’s lab learning research techniques, conducting experiments and shadowing other health care professionals. Their most important work: growing protein crystals for future research studies on breast cancer and infectious diseases.

“It’s been an awesome experience,” said Leonardo Estrada, a senior at Omaha South High School. “I have never worked in a lab before and was curious about what went on. I never thought about being a scientist but now — it’s possible.”

Those words alone are proof the program works, Dr. Asojo said.

“It boosts students’ self-esteem and gives them greater insight into health care careers,” she said. “Before coming into this program, they may not have known all of the options open to them especially if they don’t have relatives, friends or other role models to expose them to various career paths.

Merelyn Price, Leonardo Estrada and Katherine Ordonez develop their lab techniques as Project SEED interns. (Andrew E. Nelson/UNMC public relations)

“Now, they can share their experiences at UNMC with their friends and that knowledge has a domino effect in the community.”

Those students who joined Estrada in the lab this summer are:

• Katherine Ordonez, a Millard South High School graduate who will attend University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the fall. This is second summer Ordonez has spent in Dr. Asojo’s lab; and
  
• Merelyn Price, a senior, previously at Mercy High School but will transfer to Eisenhower High School in Lawton, Okla.