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CSU Fullerton biological science major nets $101,500
National Science Foundation awards funds to Carmen Cortez to conduct research.
By Kristen SchottPublished: May 22, 2009 09:44 AM
Carmen Cortez, a biological science major at Cal State Fullerton, received $101,500 from the National Science Foundation to perform scientific research.
Cortez, a 23-year-old Anaheim resident, is graduating Sunday during the university's commencement exercises and will begin work on her doctorate in ecology at UC Davis this fall.
Cal State Fullerton's McNair Scholars and Equal Opportunity programs, professors and administrators were instrumental in getting Cortez to where she is now. The program works to encourage students to pursue graduate studies and provides opportunities for them to participate in research courses with faculty mentors.
“Coming from a humble background with aspirations just to be able to get a bachelor’s degree, Carmen is living proof that with a strong support system and an opportunity to showcase her talents, there are no limits to what she can achieve,” says Gerald Bryant, director of the McNair Scholars program.
Originally from Lynwood, Calif., Cortez decided on this path of study after reading a chapter in her 12th-grade science book that focused on photosynthesis. She says the plant process "fascinated" her.
“As inner-city kids, we tend to see plants just as decoration in our landscape, but photosynthesis really teaches you about the world, how we’re connected to the Earth,” continues Cortez.
It wasn't easy for Cortez – her biology teacher didn't believe she'd even get into college, she says. And UC Santa Barbara rejected her application for admission.
But Cortez battled on and is now the first in her family to attend college.
During her freshman year, Cortez says she heard Bryant talk about graduate school and the McNair program, as well as the opportunities presented by CSU Fullerton.
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Cortez, a 23-year-old Anaheim resident, is graduating Sunday during the university's commencement exercises and will begin work on her doctorate in ecology at UC Davis this fall. Cal State Fullerton's McNair Scholars and Equal Opportunity programs, professors and administrators were instrumental in getting Cortez to where she is now. The program works to encourage students to pursue graduate studies and provides opportunities for them to participate in research courses with faculty mentors. “Coming from a humble background with aspirations just to be able to get a bachelor’s degree, Carmen is living proof that with a strong support system and an opportunity to showcase her talents, there are no limits to what she can achieve,” says Gerald Bryant, director of the McNair Scholars program. Originally from Lynwood, Calif., Cortez decided on this path of study after reading a chapter in her 12th-grade science book that focused on photosynthesis. She says the plant process "fascinated" her. “As inner-city kids, we tend to see plants just as decoration in our landscape, but photosynthesis really teaches you about the world, how we’re connected to the Earth,” continues Cortez. It wasn't easy for Cortez – her biology teacher didn't believe she'd even get into college, she says. And UC Santa Barbara rejected her application for admission. But Cortez battled on and is now the first in her family to attend college. During her freshman year, Cortez says she heard Bryant talk about graduate school and the McNair program, as well as the opportunities presented by CSU Fullerton. NEXT PAGE >> Related headlines UC Irvine, Chapman, CSUF talk about global warming 'OC METRO Minute,' May 21: UCI's law school awarded $2 million grant Anaheim University: many shades of green UC Irvine banks $45 million for infectious disease research |
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