Regional Students Wrap Up Summer Bridge to Bachelor’s Program at UOG With Science Café Presentations

The University of Guam hosted students from across Micronesia who showcased their research findings at a Science Café held at the Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub.

The event provided an opportunity for the students to share their work with the community and engage in dialogue about the importance of STEM education and research.

The students are part of the National Science Foundation’s Increasing Numbers, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Success Supporting Emerging Aquatic Scientists (NSF INCLUDES SEAS) Islands Alliance Guam Hub Bridge to Bachelor’s program.

The Bridge to Bachelor’s program is designed to support students in transitioning from community college to a four-year degree in STEM fields. As part of their program, students undertake research projects under the mentorship of faculty and industry professionals.

Cheryl Sangueza, Ph.D., co-principal investigator for the program, said the Café experience was beneficial for both the presenters and the audience.

“For these amazing students, being able to share their experiences showcased their awesome increase in confidence and knowledge in research.  Many of them said they had never engaged in science research or presented like in our program,” explained Sangueza. “For the audience, hearing the perspectives of those living in our neighboring islands was a highlight – they opened up new ways of seeing things for all of us.”

The Science Café featured presentations on a variety of topics that were researched with the assistance of the faculty mentors from UOG. Attendees had the chance to interact with the students and ask questions about their research.

Presentations:

The Effect of Coconut Fibers in Fine Recycled Concrete Aggregate Mortar Specimen Mixtures
Presenter: Azer L. Bilimon, College of the Marshall Islands
Mentor: Ernesto J.Guades Ph.D., Alvin Page

The Evolution of Traditional Plant Uses in Guam and Palau
Presenter: Daissy Demei, Palau Community College
Mentor: Else Demeulenaere, Ph.D., Vernice Yuzi

New Species Microtabella udotensis from Chuuk Coral Reef
Presenter: Deniena Fred, College of Micronesia
Mentor: Christopher S. Lobban, Ph.D., Jeniel C. Mian,  MaryJolleen Perez, Margarita Cholymay

What Role Do Plants Play in Our Culture?
Presenter: Leann Gabriel, College of Micronesia
Mentor: Else Demeulenaere, Ph.D., Peltin Olter-Pelep

A New Diatom from Marshall Islands Coral Reefs
Presenter: Lucey Mea, College of the Marshall Islands
Mentor: Christopher S. Lobban, Ph.D., Jeniel C. Mian, Alvin Page, MaryJolleen Perez

My Experience in Dr. Lobban’s and Dr. Guades’ Laboratory
Presenter: Paul Elanzo
Mentor: Christopher S. Lobban, Ph.D., Jeniel C. Mian, Alvin Page, MaryJolleen Perez

“The Science Café demonstrated the talent and potential of young scientists in Guam and the rest of Micronesia,” added Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant and principal investigator of the program. “The event highlighted the importance of supporting STEM education and research initiatives to foster innovation and economic growth throughout our region.”

The UOG CIS and Sea Grant capacity building portfolio of programs also includes NSF Navigating Home, a program that brings college graduates who may have relocated off island for jobs back home with a year or summer-long assignment in local agencies with the intention of securing full-time employment, along with several STEM related fellowships for high school and college students currently enrolled on Guam.