Caption: ASCC student Miracle Tali, pictured here, left the island this past weekend to spend six weeks at the University of Connecticut as a Marine Science intern.
(Courtesy Photo)

Milton Manase, an ASCC Liberal Arts major, traveled to the University of Hawaii at Manoa for the Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology (UMEB) program.  UMEB is an interdisciplinary program in Environmental Science for students from the Pacific islands, funded by the National Science Foundation. The goal is to train and educate undergraduate students who are permanent Pacific island residents in aspects of environmental science and conservation, so that a knowledge base is provided for their region. Manase will work with Chaminade University Professor Gail Grabowsky on Coral Reef Conservation. Manase enthused, “This is an awesome opportunity to work along side first class researchers and gain hands-on experience which will allow me to gain knowledge for my future endeavors.”

Miracle Tali, a recent ASCC Marine Science graduate, traveled to the University of Connecticut, where she will participate in the Northeast Alliance at the University of Connecticut Summer Research Program for Minority Undergraduates (SRPMU).  SRPMU is a National Science Foundation-funded alliance of 10 research-extensive universities led by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Their goal is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities obtaining Ph.D. degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics disciplines. Tali will work under the supervision of Louise Lewis, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She will learn the basics of algae biology, ecology of desert organisms and biotic crusts, and how to obtain and use DNA sequence data to identify organisms. “I have been blessed to be given an opportunity to represent ASCC at this program. It will be hard work but I am determined to be successful,” said Tali.

Both students will conduct independent research projects, with guidance and supervision from their advisors, and will present their findings at the end of their internship to their peers and other mentors.  Throughout the six weeks, both students will participate in seminars and workshops focusing on issues directly related to the academic, personal and professional growth of the participants.  Manase and Tali will return home in August.

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