ANA G. MENDEZ UNIVERSITY SYSTEM STUDENT RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CENTER AGMUS Ins tute of Mathema cs CARIBBEAN COMPUTING CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE

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1 ANA G. MENDEZ UNIVERSITY SYSTEM STUDENT RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CENTER AGMUS Ins tute of Mathema cs CARIBBEAN COMPUTING CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE Funding provided by the Na onal Science Founda on (NSF) Grants DMS & CNS

2 Index Message from the Director 3 University of Vermont 4 UCAR 6 MIT Haystack 8 Lawrence Livermore 10 Vanderbilt University 11 Lawrence Berkeley 12 List of Schools 14 Aknowledgements 15 2

3 Message from the Execu ve Director The Ana G. Méndez University System (AGMUS) 2011 Pre College Summer Research Internship Program was a great success. Twenty nine (29) high school students from public and private schools across Puerto Rico travelled to six research sites at ins tu ons in six states, the University of Vermont, MIT Haystack Observatory, Purdue University, the Na onal Center for Atmospheric Research, University of Texas, El Paso and Lawrence Livermore Na onal Laboratory. The pre college students worked with research mentors in projects in the areas of computer science, mathema cs, computa onal biology, astronomy and atmospheric sciences. According to the research mentors, the pre college students had be er performance than the average undergraduate student par cipa ng in research experiences for undergraduates (REU). The success of this program is based on the selec on process and the experience of the AGMUS Saturday Research Academy, where all the student par cipants learned the first steps of the research methodology. I would like to recognize the dedica on of the coordinators and mentors at all the sites where our pre college students worked for a period of six to eight weeks; and the staff of the AGMUS Ins tute of Mathema cs, the Caribbean Compu ng Center for Excellence and the Student Research Development Center. Mentoring pre college students during the summer was a great experience. Personally, I enjoyed having daily and weekly contact with all the par cipants. Visi ng them during the month of July, 2012 was a unique experience. I wish all the par cipants success in their university careers. I know that all of them will reach Ph.D. studies in the near future. The funding of the Na onal Science Founda on was well invested in preparing the next genera on of scien sts from Puerto Rico. Juan F. Arra a, Ph.D. Execu ve Director 3

4 The University of Vermont, Burlington "This inves ga on has mo vated me more and it has invigorated me in terms of inves ga ng methods and the observa on they make here about the wide diversity of the animals opportunity Michelle C. Perez 4

5 The University of Vermont University of Vermont Pre College Student Researchers I am grateful that such a great and unforge able experience has made me grow as a researcher, enhance my knowledge and my passion for science Netsha San ago 5

6 Purdue University, Indiana "Working in Purdue University provided me the opportunity to choose from various research topics ranging from mechanical engineering to molecular biology, teaching me the importance of having an open mind for interdisciplinary research." Kevin Joel Marrero Nieves 6

7 Research is not something you're sent to do without knowledge, real research begins when you have the knowledge, and yet you ask yourself; "Why?" Edwin Lopez Purdue University Pre College Student Researchers It is very rewarding to have the chance of designing your own experiment by yourself under the guidance of adequate mentorship, for you learn that you have the ability to tackle important issues if you acquire as much knowledge as you can about them Arnaldo Mercado 7

8 University Corpora on for Atmospheric Research This summer opportunity has enriched my way of thinking and increases my vocabulary in the area I plan to study; is a big step to my future professional life. Yesenia Rivera...ideas come from the heart and PROGRAMMING from computa on but research opens up a space for both experience Angel Andino 8

9 University Corpora on for Atmospheric Research Not only is this program a path to academic success but also a path to achievement in life. This mixture of knowledge, culture and experiences is the perfect recipe to mold a future researcher. One step at a me, with complete dedica on, determina on, pa ence and strength one will not only become an outstanding researcher but a remarkable ci zen as well. Xavier Figueroa UCAR Pre College Student Researchers Today is the tomrrow that you cared and thanks to a past of hard work I have a future of excellence Osvaldo Massanet 9

10 MIT Haystack Observatory jdl dlfld o dlkfdo al;kfldkflkdf;ksd al; Ediel Corujo (Pre College Intern at MIT Haystack) 10

11 MIT Haystack Observatory This research internship (MIT Haystack in my case) has not only opened doors for me; I feel it has stern me in the correct path towards a successful college educa on and a good career Javier Rodríguez MIT Haystack Pre College Student Researchers This summer,was the opportunity I was chasing for. It was a life journey. I have acquired knowledge from the real professionals in this field, a unique experience, and memories that will never be forgo en. Natasha García 11

12 Morehead State University, Kentucky This internship has been an amazing experience, it encouraged me to con nue studying science Jessica Pita 12

13 Morehead State University, Kentucky "Experiences like this ones are the ones who shape your future and refine your mind Guillermo Díaz Morehead State University Pre College Student Researchers 13

14 Lawrence Livermore Na onal Laboratory It has been an exhilara ng experience that has taught me how interested I am in science Eddrick Alvarado The skills and the experience you get here will help you anywhere you go and it will put you miles above other students." Anthony R. Bonilla San ago Lawrence Livermore Pre College Student Researchers 14

15 University of Texas, El Paso "I never thought I could be working with doctors and post docs. Truly a life changing experience." Kevin Matos University of Texas Pre College Student Researchers 15

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17 Pre College Student Researchers 17

18 ACKNOLEGMENT The Execu ve Director would like to thank: University of Vermont Mentors: Dr. Declan McCabe, Dr. Eugene Delay, Dr. Bryan Ballif, Dr. Jim Vigoreaux (Coordinator) Chaperone: Ms. Yaina Hernaiz, doctoral student, University of Vermont and Ms. Maxine Gonzalez, undergraduate student, Universidad Metropolitana UCAR Mentors: Dr. James W. Elkins, Mr. Sco Landolt, Dr. Amy Solomon, Dr. Lyne e Laffea, Brandi McCarty, Christoph Senff, Dr. Pieter Tans Program Coordinators: Dr. Rajul Pandya, Ms. Rebecca Hacker Chaperone: Ms. Nitsa, undergraduate student, Universidad del Turabo MIT Haystack Observatory Mentors: Dr. William Rideout, Dr. Larisa Goncharenko, Dr. Robert Schaefer, Dr. Shurong Zhang Program Coordinator: Dr. Phil Erickson Lawrence Livermore Na onal Laboratory Mentors: Dr. Laura Shulz, Dr. Michael Barne Chaperone and Program Coordinator: Mr. Anthony Baylis Morehead State University Mentor: Program Coordinator: Wilson J. González Chaperone: Ms. Natalia San ago University of Texas El Paso Mentors: Dr. Jason Hick, Dr. John Wu, Dr. Helen He, Dr. Shane Canon, Dr. David Bailey Coordinator: Dr. Manuel Ramos Chaperone: Ms. Weyshla Ramos, undergraduate student Universidad Metropolitana Purdue University Mentors: Dr. Jason Hick, Dr. John Wu, Dr. Helen He, Dr. Shane Canon, Dr. David Bailey Coordinator: Dr. Manuel Ramos Chaperone: Ms. Weyshla Ramos, undergraduate student Universidad Metropolitana SRDC Staff AGMUS Ins tute of Mathema cs: Ms. Wanda Rodríguez CCCE: Mr. Tomas Yan Melo SRCD: Ms. Zulma Irizarry, Ms. Thelma Graniela, Ms. Ive e Miranda and Mr. Nicholas Natalizio Parents of all the pre college students 18

19 Funding provided by the Na onal Science Founda on (NSF) Grants DMS & CNS