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Students Build Distinguished Resumes with Research Opportunities
Undergraduate students at LSU are offered the unique opportunity to perform state-of-the-art research. Working side by side with some of the University's prominent thinkers, students are able to enhance their education beyond the classroom. Programs such as the Chancellor's Future Leaders in Research, the Howard Hughes Undergraduate Biological Sciences Program, and the Ronald E. McNair Program create opportunities for stipends and faculty mentorships, allowing undergraduate students to conduct graduate-level research. LSU is proud of the fact that its undergraduates have the credentials that make them competitive for jobs and post-graduate programs. Here are three undergraduate students that have taken advantage of what LSU and its faculty have to offer.
Like many prospective students, Jason was looking for the perfect university. What sold him on LSU were its facilities, research opportunities, and the beautiful campus. What Jason didn't know then, was that he would conduct research that may ultimately help impact NASA's plans for long-term space flight. NASA has noted for years that astronauts have experienced physiological side effects, such as loss of bone mass, from long-term periods in orbit. Jason and Vince LiCata, assistant professor in LSU's Department of Biological Sciences, are conducting NASA-sponsored experiments in an attempt to understand the effect of micro-gravity on specific biochemical processes.
LiCata sees a great deal of promise in Jason. "Jason and I work very closely in experimental design and analysis and we go through Jason's data sets quite frequently," LiCata said. "Jason is working on a very difficult project, which is also being worked on by a graduate student and a post-doc in my lab. It has been fun and gratifying to watch Jason's continuing growth as a researcher in my lab." Aside from conducting research, Jason said he stays involved in campus activities and is an ambassador for the LSU Honors College. After graduating in May, Jason plans on attending graduate school to pursue a doctorate of biochemistry.
As an international student from Macedonia, Nadia took an exciting leap when she moved to the United States to attend LSU. Her initial journey to the United States was through a one-year exchange program in which she studied English at a local Louisiana high school. After hearing about LSU from fellow classmates, she decided to look into attending college here. It did not take long for her to realize that LSU was the place for her. Nadia conducts research under the Howard Hughes Medical Institute grant for Undergraduate Education. Working with Professor Mark A. Batzer and under the supervision of Jerylin Walker in LSU's Department of Biological Sciences, Nadia works with human gender DNA using fluorogenic probes for ALU element detection. Her research will help to allow forensic laboratories to rapidly screen a mixed sample of DNA and identify the male and female components.
Nadia plans on remaining in the United States and attending medical school after graduating from LSU. "What I like best about LSU is the warm people and diversity," Nadia remarked. "I've met people from Kenya!" While maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average and conducting research, Nadia said she finds time to shop with her friends and participate in LSU organizations. She is a member of the honor society Phi Kappa Phi and LSU's chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a society for undergraduates preparing for medical school.
Last summer, Tanisha Fleming opened new doors to her educational journey when she was paired with a faculty mentor at LSU. Through the Ronald E. McNair program, Tanisha began working with Professor Emeritus James Geer from LSU's Department of Psychology. Over the course of last summer, Tanisha worked with Geer on a research project designed to study the effects childhood sexual abuse had on adult behavior in today's society. Tanisha conducted an extensive literature review on children, adolescents, and adults who were sexually abused at a young age. Through the research, she found that sexually abused children grow into adulthood with emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, anger, and poor self-esteem. Tanisha said one of her more interesting observations was that it is harder for men to admit their abuse because societal stereotypes dictate that men are not supposed to be victims. Geer worked closely with Tanisha to ensure that she reviewed the proper psychological journals. "Dr. Geer is very precise. He just wants the best out of everything you do. He is very established in his field and his advice was extremely helpful," said Tanisha.
Tanisha is currently working as a research assistant and continues to collect data on gender differences in cognitive processes. She also participates in weekly research meetings with Dr. Geer and other students. Tanisha plans to attend graduate school and wants to work in the field of forensic psychology. When asked how she feels about LSU and the McNair program, she responded, "It's been the greatest experience," she said. "It really prepares you for graduate school." In her spare time she enjoys going out with her friends, reading, listening to music, and watching television. Tanisha is actively involved in the LSU service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and Psi Chi, a national psychology honor society. Contact Katiana Johnson or Robin
Dunkin | LSU University Relations Related Links Chancellor's Future Leaders in Research |
Jason began working with Dr. LiCata beginning his freshman year. When LiCata received the NASA grant, he asked Jason to be part of his research team. "LiCata never gives me more assignments than he thinks I can handle," Jason remarked. "The projects he has given me have always been appropriate to my understanding."
"I think Nadia is a terrific student, and she has been a real positive asset to my laboratory," said Batzer. 
Geer said he is certain that Tanisha is actively pursuing a path of study that will lead to a promising future. "Tanisha is a very highly motivated young woman who has set for herself high goals," he said.
