CHS Undergrads Discover the World of Research at NCUR
Published April 20, 2023 By Darlene Muguiro UTEP College of Health Sciences
Earlier this month, a group of eight undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences (BS-RHSC) Program had a taste of a possible future in research while attending the National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR), hosted by the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.
NCUR is an annual event that offers opportunities for undergraduates from across the nation and across disciplines to network with other student researchers. This year, nearly 4,000 participants presented their projects across a three-day timeframe. The CHS students were divided into four groups, three of which sent representatives from their groups to present data collected earlier in the year for their $100 Solution projects. $100 Solution-based poster presentations included “Efficacy of Social and Physical Support for Patients with Cancer” (represented by Sebastian Blancas, Manuel Morales and Valeria Valencia); “Recipe for Success: Impact of Implementation of Sensory Safe Cooking Classes for Individuals with Autism” (represented by Karla Chairez); and “Seniors on the Move” (represented by Jesus Avila, Angelica Garcia, and Michelle Martin). BS-RHSC student Pamela Escobar represented the group working under the direction of Dr. Gregory Schober on a project entitled “Government Assistance Programs and Health Insurance Coverage in a Predominantly Hispanic Community in the United States.”
Dr. Carolina Valencia, faculty mentor for the $100 Solution projects and director of the BS-RHSC program, also attended the conference. She said that the program prioritizes engaging students in extra-curricular experiences like NCUR and provides funding for travel and related expenses for students who want to participate.
“For some of these students, it was their first time outside of El Paso and the state of Texas. It was really eye-opening,” she said. “Just watching them throughout their experience, networking with other students and professors, was wonderful. These high-impact practices are the main reason why I love academia.”
Manuel Morales, one of the student representatives for the cancer-focused project, said that he will cherish the experience he had at NCUR, which was “overwhelming and invaluable” at the same time.
“Each day was packed with activities that kept us engaged and challenged our thinking. We had the opportunity to hear from renowned researchers and experts in different fields, who shared their insights and experiences with us,” he said. “We also had the opportunity to present our own research, which was an incredible experience in itself. It was a chance to showcase our hard work and dedication to our projects, and to receive feedback and criticism from other researchers in our field.”
Morales said he felt inspired to see so many young researchers speaking passionately about their fields and thinking about the impact of their work on the world.
Pamela Escobar, one of the students who worked with Dr. Gregory Schober on the government assistance and health insurance project, said she was also slightly intimidated upon arriving at the conference, but felt at ease once she began receiving positive feedback on her presentation and felt the support of her peers and faculty mentors.
“The best part of this experience was getting to know my peers. We became friends thanks to this conference, and I felt that we all had each other's back,” she said. “I really felt the support from them, Dr. Valencia and Dr. Schober, and I'm extremely grateful for that.”
Escobar will graduate this December and plans to apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at UTEP. She says that the NCUR experience has helped her prepare for her next steps as a graduate student, and as a future professional.
“I plan to continue seeking opportunities to participate in research because it is wonderful to get to know people and have the opportunity to listen their research and future projects,” she said. “This experience has also helped me improve my communication skills, and as a future healthcare practitioner, communication is key.”
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Go Miners!
For more information about the Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences Program, please visit: www.utep.edu/chs/bsrhsc.