Research at Tufts
Alejandro Baez ‘21
Las Vegas, NV
Major(s): Community Health, Clinical Psychology
Involvements on campus: Involvements on campus: Tisch Scholar, Tufts United for Immigrant Justice
I participated in the Visiting Early Research Scholars’ Experience (VERSE) Program in the summer after my freshman year concluded. This cohort style program provides mentoring, research experience, and is geared towards helping underrepresented students gain a foothold in the field of research. In this program I was paired with a research mentor, Christine McWayne, and assisted their Readiness through Integrative Science and Engineering (RISE) Project. It focused on developing science, technology, and engineering curriculum and professional development resources for preschool educators who serve dual language learners (DLLs). I helped by performing data management, coding, and used available research to develop and present my own research poster. This program helped me acquire additional research experiences due to the skills acquired and networking opportunities available. This experience is one of many that you can find at Tufts that will sharpen and expose you to the many riveting fields that encompass research.
Genesis Garcia ‘15
Providence, RI
Major: American Studies; Minor: Education
Involvements on campus: Diversity Council- Undergraduate Student Experience Working Group, Living in La Casa (Latino Culture House), work for the Tufts Literacy Corps, Synaptic Scholar, Tufts Summer Scholar ’13, former Co-President of Pan-African Alliance, former Latino Peer Leader, former cast member in Welcome to Arroyo's and Our Private Lives theatre productions
As an American Studies major, I’m exploring issues of the US education system starting right here in Boston. I’m currently filming a documentary about Diploma Plus; a program at Charlestown High School that helps "at-risk" students and/or high school "dropouts" to graduate. I use both of these terms in quotes because I’m essentially trying to deconstruct the dominant narrative about these students, question the common misperceptions about them and the schools that they attend. Using a racial and social class lens, I believe that by looking at this population that has had trouble with schooling or has already left school, you can reveal important information about what is working in schools and what’s not. I started this project last summer as a part of Tufts Summer Scholars, which allows upperclassmen to conduct 10 weeks of research with a stipend and a faculty mentor. I will continue to work on this film through my senior year and hopefully have it culminate into my American Studies senior capstone project.
Jacquelyn Nwagwu ‘17
Los Angeles, California
Major: Chemical Engineering
Involvements on campus: Society of Women Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Society of Latino Engineers and Scientists
I am currently working in Professor Asatekin's [Smart Polymers, Membranes and Separations] Lab. My research project focuses on the diffusion of different dyes through a semi permeable membrane. Professor Asatekin and Dean Darryl Williams [Director for The Center for STEM Diversity] have exposed me to the many possibilities within the field of chemical engineering.
Michael Zalesne ‘16
Columbia, SC
Major: Biopsychology
Involvements on campus: Synthetic Biology Club, Tufts Sustainability Collective, Active Minds, Tufts Mountain Club, TA for Introduction to Biology courses, Voices of Tufts Diversity Experience Ambassador
I am working with Tufts iGEM group. We are a student run organization that is working with several departments on campus from Computer Science to Chemical Engineering and several administrators, including President Monaco, in order to write project proposals, find funding, and teach ourselves lab techniques.