Two LBCC students got the opportunity to conduct independent chemistry and biochemistry research in a nine-week summer program by Cal State LA that aims to provide undergraduates and community college students with early research opportunities.
These students were invited by LBCC science professors to speak at a Sip N Science event held recently, where attendees could ask questions about their experience and research while enjoying a meal.
Student speakers Elise Hastie and Jorman Villavicencio spent their summer at Cal State LA’s Research Experience for Undergraduates in Chemistry and Biochemistry program, where they were given the opportunity to be hands-on with science research being conducted right now.
The program picks ten students every year and provides them with dorms at CSULA for the summer, as well as a $6,000 stipend for living expenses.
Hastie shared that she really enjoyed being on the cutting edge of science and seeing things that are happening that could potentially change the world one day and connect with all the professors and the research leaders.
“I think a lot of us were first-generation college students, so it was great to have that kind of influence in our life and see what higher education looks like,” Hastie said.
Villavicencio shared that he’s from Venezuela, and he was thankful to have that opportunity to work in an organic lab as a first-generation college student.
“The experience made me realize the business side of this and how I can make a great lifestyle out of this and the networking and friendships, because you meet so many people and make friendships that will last a long time,” Villavicencio said.
Jorman Villavicencio, a chemistry major student at Long Beach City College, presents his collaborative undergrad research study on Nov. 9 at one of the Sip N Science events being held this month. (Alma Tamara)
Assistant Professor of Microbiology Erika Calle-Poppe alongside Chemistry Professor Lizeth Perez started Sip N Science to make science accessible to the college community and expose students to real-world scientific research in a way that they can understand.
Perez shared that bringing in Hastie and Villavicencio was a great way to demonstrate to students that they too can apply for this program and dip their toes into the field, because people who were once in their shoes have accomplished this and enjoyed the experience overall.
This particular event was also marketed as a part of the college’s Filipino American History Month event series.
“Usually we try to do a theme or a speaker that’s related to the heritage, but we brought some Filipino food in order to celebrate,” Perez said.
Perez elaborated that next month the Chief of Surgery at UCLA, Argentinian Dr. Christian Virgilio will be speaking at their event, included in the Native American & Indigenous Heritage Events.
“We wanted representation in science, so multiple people from multiple backgrounds and ethnicities, which are not represented in science,” Calle-Poppe said.
Calle-Poppe shared that Sip N Science is basically like a “Science Cafe” in which science is discussed in terms that anyone can understand and become interested in, in a more casual environment.
Calle-Poppe said that when she was a student she struggled to understand how to make professional connections, and get research opportunities like Hastie and Villavicencio.
Hastie and Villavicencio were both thrilled about the turnout of the event and the opportunity to share their research and experiences with the research program.
They both encouraged students to apply for the program and take the risk because they may end up loving it.