UOG students join NSF INCLUDES student fellowship program

The NSF INCLUDES: SEAS Islands Alliance program welcomes seven undergraduates from the University of Guam to its student research fellowship in which they will gain valuable research experience and mentorship while pursuing a locally relevant project under the mentorship of scientists and subject matter experts from UOG.  

Ranie Jay Ubaldo: 

Although Ranie Jay Ubaldo is a bit nervous about his new venture into INCLUDES Fellowship activities, the feeling is coupled with excitement.  

According to Ubaldo, he is ready for the new experience in research.  

As a junior college student pursuing a civil engineering major, Ubaldo looks forward to experimenting in a laboratory, utilizing science equipment to discover new data.  

“I am glad to be having my first experience in research that is related to my major of civil engineering.” 

Presently, Ubaldo is researching new methods to fortify recycled concrete aggregates with the goal of introducing sustainable solutions to the ongoing practice of milling local limestone aggregates, all under the mentorship of Ernesto J. Guades, Ph.D., P.E.. 

Nadley Yow

As a second-year college student pursuing a major through a medical track in biology, Nadley Yow feels refreshed by the INCLUDES Fellowship program. 

Yow has grown accustomed to her experiments and research being conducted simply for a letter grade, so the opportunity to apply her research in a more impactful way feels like a nice change of pace. 

As Yow puts it, “Being an INCLUDES Fellow and having the opportunity to do research for something that interests me is just truly refreshing.” 

Currently researching correlation and differences between methods of plant use in Guam and Yap, Yow is guided through her research under the mentorship of Else N. Demeulenaere, Ph.D. 

Relative to Yow’s research, she is most excited about learning about methods used culturally throughout Guam to cultivate plant-life and seeing how they are similar or different to methods used in Yap.  

Ale’a Duenas

Although she is a college freshman, Ale’a Duenas has already set her ambitions high.  

Majoring in integrative biology, she is currently under the mentorship of Brett Taylor, Ph. D. studying reef fish demographics within Marine Protected areas and adjacent non-protected marine areas in Guam.  

With the help of stereo-video cameras, it is her goal through field work and surveys to determine if protected marine areas are indeed working to contribute to the growth of fish species on the island.  

As a new INCLUDES fellow, she is exhilarated to acquire experience in her field.  

“I feel excited and honored to be an INCLUDES fellow and I can’t wait to get a chance to have hands on experience on things that could possibly clear my vision of my future career path and teach me valuable skills and life lessons.” 

Ava Suba

Ava Suba is looking forward to the opportunities being an INCLUDES Fellow will present to her within STEM.  

“I am excited about being an INCLUDES Fellow. I believe that this experience can bring me great opportunities in the future and give me the tools necessary to become a better researcher in the STEM field.” 

Although currently a college freshman, by the time she enters the second half of her INCLUDES internship, she will be a sophomore and plans to amass a deeper research experience by then.  

Suba is currently working under the mentorship of Bastian Bentlage, Ph.D. researching the effects of climate change on coral reefs, exploring the metabolic responses of heat tolerant coral Pavona decussata and its associated symbionts under controlled heat stress conditions. 

“We hope to understand if photosynthesis and respiration rates differ significantly from baseline in the heat-tolerant coral and how quickly it returns to baseline metabolism following thermal stress to give us more insights on how these corals are able to cope with the increasing sea temperatures,” said Suba.  

Suba looks forward to participating in a professional lab space and working with other STEM field professionals to establish significant connections to her research. 

Jenial Mian

Being an integrative biology major only further fuels Jeniel Mian’s excitement as a new NSF INCLUDES fellow. 

Under the mentorship of Christopher Lobban, Ph.D., Mian is researching diatoms in the genus Mastogloia. She is looking forward to developing new lab techniques and sharpening her skills as a researcher. 

“I am very excited and grateful to be an INCLUDES Fellow because I am not only gaining first-hand experiences that will assist me in my future career but I am also involved in a community where I am surrounded by people who share the same passions and goals as me,” said Mian.  

Cyril Concepcion

Becoming an NSF INCLUDES fellow is a full-circle moment for college freshman Cyril Concepcion.  

Having first interacted with NSF INCLUDES as a participant in the STEM High School Internship Program, Concepcion was left with a positive experience and a drive to experience more as a researcher.  

“I feel super grateful I have been given this opportunity! In this program, I get to meet peers, mentors, and advisors who help me to grow and learn. I learn about myself as I learn and experience new things. I feel good about my work and myself,” said Concepcion. 

Presently, Concepcion is researching the efficiency and durability of concrete mixed with fine recycled aggregates under the mentorship of Ernesto J. Guades, Ph.D., P.E.. 

“I am super excited to learn about the sustainable ways we can produce concrete while also maintaining the strength of regular concrete. It will be helpful to the island of Guam if we were to find ways to use aggregates other than corals.” 

Makayla Dela Cruz

As a second-year college student majoring in secondary education with an emphasis in general science and a minor in biology, Makayla Dela Cruz is excited to be a part of the INCLUDES Fellowship Program.  

As Dela Cruz journeys through the program, she says, “ I am excited to be able to do research that could be of help to Guam’s environment and community.” 

Dela Cruz is currently under the mentorship of Else N. Demeulenaere, Ph.D. researching the various ethnobotanical connections and uses of specific plant species known to be used as åmot, or medicine in the CHamoru culture. 

Within the program, Dela Cruz looks forward to the chance to acquire field experience, develop nursery skills, the opportunity to mentor high school students, and deepening her connection to Guam through her research.