From left, Kathryn Hollar, Hunter Reidhead, Tori-Lynn Largo, Lynette Castillo, Teshi Begay, Elmer Guy, Karen Dan, Thiagarajan Soundappan, Casmir Agbaraji, Wayant Billey and Gaile Martin. Navajo Technical University student participants were recently part of the NTU’s PREM VENTURES, that provided advisers for academic and career pathways at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Courtesy photo
From left, Kathryn Hollar, Hunter Reidhead, Tori-Lynn Largo, Lynette Castillo, Teshi Begay, Elmer Guy, Karen Dan, Thiagarajan Soundappan, Casmir Agbaraji, Wayant Billey and Gaile Martin. Navajo Technical University student participants were recently part of the NTU’s PREM VENTURES, that provided advisers for academic and career pathways at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Courtesy photo

Seven students from Navajo Technical University on Aug. 4 participated in the 10 week Harvard University Research Experience for Undergraduates program, an immersive initiative of collaboration with mentors, rigorous research projects and exploring long-term career opportunities in the sciences.

The curriculum required students to design their own schedules within specific REU Research Areas under the supervision of faculty advisers and mentors. Alongside their laboratory work, the undergraduates engaged with the local community, toured regional innovation centers and explored the cultural landscape of the Cambridge area.

Students also attended weekly training sessions designed to sharpen their professional communication skills, with a strong focus on manuscript preparation, personal narratives and data articulation.

The summer experience concluded with students sharing their methodologies and outcomes with prominent faculty and peers during the formal REU symposium. They were joined by student researchers from other institutions including the University of Massachusetts, the University of New Mexico, Johns Hopkins University and Princeton University.

Following the research sessions, panels composed of faculty and program alumni provided strategic guidance on entering graduate school and exploring various professional paths.

The final research projects undertaken by the NTU students spanned diverse scientific inquiries:

Teshi Begay, Tori-Lynn Largo and Hunter Reidhead led presentations on their study, “Native American Tea & Herb Bioactive Extraction and their Antimicrobial Effects,” which combined scientific analysis with a critical look at research ethics.Lynette Castillo compiled a comprehensive report, abstract and oral presentation detailing her scientific progress on “The chemistry and spectroscopy of turquoise – relevance to cultural history.”Gaile Martin offered novel perspectives on the dynamics of mechanically soft systems far from equilibrium with her project, “Fabricating passive flow devices with custom-built check valves.”Wayant Billey and Karen Dan focused on environmental monitoring in the Charles River, presenting their work on “Real-time spatial mapping of heavy metal contamination using a 3D printed electrochemical sensing boat.”

Kathryn Hollar, Director of Community Engagement, said the program provides a dedicated avenue for training undergraduates across vital fields such as biomaterials, materials science, robotics, computer science, and energy and the environment, while helping them discover pathways to graduate school.

“The program definitely is life-changing,” said Thiagarajan Soundappan, associate professor at NTU.

He said the primary goal is to train and retain a diverse generation of professionals in materials science and engineering by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the entire community.