During the pandemic-laden 2020-2021 academic year, Clark student volunteers had to get creative in finding ways to help out the Worcester community. Using COVID-safe practices, students worked with children in the Worcester schools. We celebrate these Clarkies’ service!
“I know how challenging and isolating the college application process can be during normal circumstances. With the experiences I had applying to college, I felt that those challenges would only be heightened due to Covid-19 and the complete isolation we are all facing, and this pushed me to want to help students at Claremont as a friendly face to be there for them.”
“I’m from Manchester, New Hampshire, and I went to Trinity High School. I’m studying to become a teacher and hope to stay in the Worcester public school system after graduation. I’m interested in this work because the college application process can be so daunting and inaccessible to so many. As someone who has gone through the process and knows how difficult it can be, I know how feeling supported can make it less overwhelming.”
“I wanted to help students and give my experience in college that I have had so far,” Rao says.
He was familiar with, and comfortable mentoring this age group too; in addition to previously volunteering with CSI, he had logged numerous hours volunteering in the Worcester schools.
“I know that online school can be challenging and not having a physical school environment can make it more difficult to focus and stay motivated. I think the idea of college is really intimidating to many high school students, especially to those who do not have family or friends who can provide that information. I think that CSI helped show that college does not have to be scary and really intense all of the time.”
“Being a first-generation college student, I remember how difficult it was to break into the college application process. Without the encouragement of my teachers at Oceanside High School in Rockland, Maine, I would never have found my footing. Remembering the support I received, I chose to participate in the CSI mentor program because I wanted to help students demystify the college application, this task that seems daunting but–with the right help–can be made uncomplicated. Our work is so important because the challenges of education have been amplified by the pandemic. Most students have lost access to support, and through the CSI program, they can find specified help in pursuing a post-secondary institution.”
Thanks to these Clark students, children in the Worcester schools got the chance to hear what it’s like to major in the sciences and work in laboratories. The Clarkies talked about their academic journeys and their research — and shared what it’s like to navigate a new culture and community: college.
“My name is Ariane Borges, I’m from Cape Verde, West Coast of Africa. I’m currently getting my Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology. My research focus is in developing a technology to synthesize and screen macrocyclic peptides as potential therapeutic for cancer treatment.”
“My name is Ariane Borges, I’m from Cape Verde, West Coast of Africa. I’m currently getting my Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology. My research focus is in developing a technology to synthesize and screen macrocyclic peptides as potential therapeutic for cancer treatment.”
“My name is Ariane Borges, I’m from Cape Verde, West Coast of Africa. I’m currently getting my Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology. My research focus is in developing a technology to synthesize and screen macrocyclic peptides as potential therapeutic for cancer treatment.”
“Right now, I’m working in Dr. Arundhati Nag’s lab on constructing a macrocyclic peptide library for mutant K-Ras (G12V) inhibition. As a foreigner in this country, my confidence in studying science was always defeated by the language barrier. However, because of the encouragement and support from my mentor and lab mates, I am able to continue my passion and pursuit in life science. Therefore, I’m pleased that I was given the opportunity to share my journey to life science to inspire others in the Worcester community. I hope my story can motivate students to pursue their passion despite any obstacles.”
“Right now, I’m working in Dr. Arundhati Nag’s lab on constructing a macrocyclic peptide library for mutant K-Ras (G12V) inhibition. As a foreigner in this country, my confidence in studying science was always defeated by the language barrier. However, because of the encouragement and support from my mentor and lab mates, I am able to continue my passion and pursuit in life science. Therefore, I’m pleased that I was given the opportunity to share my journey to life science to inspire others in the Worcester community. I hope my story can motivate students to pursue their passion despite any obstacles.”
“Right now, I’m working in Dr. Arundhati Nag’s lab on constructing a macrocyclic peptide library for mutant K-Ras (G12V) inhibition. As a foreigner in this country, my confidence in studying science was always defeated by the language barrier. However, because of the encouragement and support from my mentor and lab mates, I am able to continue my passion and pursuit in life science. Therefore, I’m pleased that I was given the opportunity to share my journey to life science to inspire others in the Worcester community. I hope my story can motivate students to pursue their passion despite any obstacles.”
“I am currently pursuing my fifth-year master’s degree (’21), also in biochemistry. I am from Mansfield, Mass., and I hope to work in research and development of biopharmaceuticals in the future.
“Throughout my career in science, I have struggled with ‘imposter syndrome,’ or feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. I think particularly as a woman in science, many of us struggle with this feeling. I remember being in high school and feeling passionate about science and healthcare, but thinking there was no way that I was hardworking enough or intelligent enough to pursue it. I think that it is very important to establish a supportive and encouraging environment for students who are interested in pursuing a career in science. Especially in a field that can tend to be harsh and competitive, I think it is important to remind kids how capable they are, and that science can be fun!”
“I am currently pursuing my fifth-year master’s degree (’21), also in biochemistry. I am from Mansfield, Mass., and I hope to work in research and development of biopharmaceuticals in the future.
“Throughout my career in science, I have struggled with ‘imposter syndrome,’ or feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. I think particularly as a woman in science, many of us struggle with this feeling. I remember being in high school and feeling passionate about science and healthcare, but thinking there was no way that I was hardworking enough or intelligent enough to pursue it. I think that it is very important to establish a supportive and encouraging environment for students who are interested in pursuing a career in science. Especially in a field that can tend to be harsh and competitive, I think it is important to remind kids how capable they are, and that science can be fun!”
“I am currently pursuing my fifth-year master’s degree (’21), also in biochemistry. I am from Mansfield, Mass., and I hope to work in research and development of biopharmaceuticals in the future.
“Throughout my career in science, I have struggled with ‘imposter syndrome,’ or feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. I think particularly as a woman in science, many of us struggle with this feeling. I remember being in high school and feeling passionate about science and healthcare, but thinking there was no way that I was hardworking enough or intelligent enough to pursue it. I think that it is very important to establish a supportive and encouraging environment for students who are interested in pursuing a career in science. Especially in a field that can tend to be harsh and competitive, I think it is important to remind kids how capable they are, and that science can be fun!”
“My name is Chi Nguyen, I’m from Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Currently, I am doing research in Dr. Nag’s lab, and my research is focused on the synthesis and cyclization of peptides to be used as cancer therapeutics. It was my pleasure to share my journey to science and my research with high school students. When I was in high school, I knew I liked science but had no idea what I could do with a science degree. Therefore, I think it is important for students to have a glimpse into what doing research looks like and how to get there. I hope that my story (and struggles) somewhat inspired these students to pursue science, knowing that it is a bumpy road but a very exciting one nonetheless.”
“My name is Chi Nguyen, I’m from Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Currently, I am doing research in Dr. Nag’s lab, and my research is focused on the synthesis and cyclization of peptides to be used as cancer therapeutics. It was my pleasure to share my journey to science and my research with high school students. When I was in high school, I knew I liked science but had no idea what I could do with a science degree. Therefore, I think it is important for students to have a glimpse into what doing research looks like and how to get there. I hope that my story (and struggles) somewhat inspired these students to pursue science, knowing that it is a bumpy road but a very exciting one nonetheless.”
“My name is Chi Nguyen, I’m from Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Currently, I am doing research in Dr. Nag’s lab, and my research is focused on the synthesis and cyclization of peptides to be used as cancer therapeutics. It was my pleasure to share my journey to science and my research with high school students. When I was in high school, I knew I liked science but had no idea what I could do with a science degree. Therefore, I think it is important for students to have a glimpse into what doing research looks like and how to get there. I hope that my story (and struggles) somewhat inspired these students to pursue science, knowing that it is a bumpy road but a very exciting one nonetheless.”
“I’m interested in drug and therapeutics development as my hope is to improve healthcare and advance medicine. Currently, in Dr. Nag’s lab, I’ve been working on a tyrosinase mimic project to understand the neurodegenerative process of Parkinson’s disease. I’m also getting involved in the Kras inhibition project as potential cancer therapeutics.
I think doing outreach is very important, especially for younger students since it helps them to see a career in science more accessible. No one in my family works in the scientific field, so I think having someone who acts as a guidance and mentor helps the students consider options that are probably not very familiar to them. Moreover, we need more people in STEM coming from different backgrounds and perspectives. This hopefully encourages more women and minorities to work in STEM. Finally, I hope to let the students know that working in research can be very exciting and rewarding as we’re making real meaningful impacts. I hope the students can see science through a new lens that it’s not tedious, or too difficult that they cannot do it.”
“I’m interested in drug and therapeutics development as my hope is to improve healthcare and advance medicine. Currently, in Dr. Nag’s lab, I’ve been working on a tyrosinase mimic project to understand the neurodegenerative process of Parkinson’s disease. I’m also getting involved in the Kras inhibition project as potential cancer therapeutics.
I think doing outreach is very important, especially for younger students since it helps them to see a career in science more accessible. No one in my family works in the scientific field, so I think having someone who acts as a guidance and mentor helps the students consider options that are probably not very familiar to them. Moreover, we need more people in STEM coming from different backgrounds and perspectives. This hopefully encourages more women and minorities to work in STEM. Finally, I hope to let the students know that working in research can be very exciting and rewarding as we’re making real meaningful impacts. I hope the students can see science through a new lens that it’s not tedious, or too difficult that they cannot do it.”
“I’m interested in drug and therapeutics development as my hope is to improve healthcare and advance medicine. Currently, in Dr. Nag’s lab, I’ve been working on a tyrosinase mimic project to understand the neurodegenerative process of Parkinson’s disease. I’m also getting involved in the Kras inhibition project as potential cancer therapeutics.
I think doing outreach is very important, especially for younger students since it helps them to see a career in science more accessible. No one in my family works in the scientific field, so I think having someone who acts as a guidance and mentor helps the students consider options that are probably not very familiar to them. Moreover, we need more people in STEM coming from different backgrounds and perspectives. This hopefully encourages more women and minorities to work in STEM. Finally, I hope to let the students know that working in research can be very exciting and rewarding as we’re making real meaningful impacts. I hope the students can see science through a new lens that it’s not tedious, or too difficult that they cannot do it.”
“My name is Iryna Onasenko, and I am originally from Ukraine but have been living in New Hampshire for several years. I am really interested in drug research and development and would like to pursue this passion as my career. It was quite important for me to be able to share the limitless world of science with young students and show them that science can be fun and impactful. Even if one student decides to pursue science as their learning path after the presentation, I would be extremely happy.”
“My name is Iryna Onasenko, and I am originally from Ukraine but have been living in New Hampshire for several years. I am really interested in drug research and development and would like to pursue this passion as my career. It was quite important for me to be able to share the limitless world of science with young students and show them that science can be fun and impactful. Even if one student decides to pursue science as their learning path after the presentation, I would be extremely happy.”
“My name is Iryna Onasenko, and I am originally from Ukraine but have been living in New Hampshire for several years. I am really interested in drug research and development and would like to pursue this passion as my career. It was quite important for me to be able to share the limitless world of science with young students and show them that science can be fun and impactful. Even if one student decides to pursue science as their learning path after the presentation, I would be extremely happy.”
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