This summer, three Winthrop students won awards at a national research conference for undergraduate and graduate students where schools such as Harvard University were also represented.
Seniors Chandani Mitchell, Ta’Niss Robinson and junior Kalea Young-Gibson placed first and second in their respective categories at the 23rd Annual SAEOPP McNair/SSS Scholars Research Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. These three students, along with 15 other Winthrop students, represented the Winthrop University McNair Scholars Program.
The Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program is a federally-funded TRIO Program that prepares first-generation, low-income and underrepresented undergraduates to be successful in doctoral programs. Winthrop’s McNair Scholars participate in a paid research experience with a faculty mentor, in addition to workshops and graduate school preparation from May to July.
The students constructed either an oral presentation or a poster presentation in one of six categories: education, humanities, health, life science or physical science. They then travelled to Atlanta for a weekend to present their research, network with other students and explore graduate school options.
McNair scholar Chandani Mitchell’s research topic was “Locating Mutagen-sensitivity Gene mus109 in the Drosophila melanogaster Genome Using Deficiency Mapping.” She worked with faculty mentor Dr. Kathryn Kohl to discover whether fruit flies were sensitive to a DNA damaging agent. Her oral presentation won first place in the life science category.
Mitchell, a senior biology major, described the McNair program as a catalyst for success.
“Without McNair, I wouldn’t have been challenged and I wouldn’t have been able to pursue the research. I definitely think McNair challenged me, but in a good way, where I could reach my potential,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell also said the McNair program changed her perspective on graduate school, inspiring her now to pursue a doctorate instead of just a master’s degree.
Mitchell is continuing her research, which she says could contribute to understanding neurodegeneration and hereditary cancer, and looking into graduate programs. She will pursue a doctorate in biomedical science or surgical science. She hopes to become a pediatric surgeon.
Ta’Niss Robinson, a senior psychology major also won first place for her social science presentation, “A Look at Mentorship in a Structured Undergraduate Program.”
Robinson worked with Dr. Darren Ritzer, studying the relationship between students and their mentors.
“I was surrounded by like-minded students, who also have drive and passion and ambition, so that was a really cool, vibrant energy to be around,” Robinson said.
Robinson also mentioned the faculty advisors and mentors had a substantial impact on her experience and her academic and professional development.
Robinson knew she always wanted to go to graduate school, but she didn’t know where to start. She said McNair helped provide a lot of resources and makes her feel more confident.
Robinson looks to earn her master’s or doctorate in industrial organizational psychology. She wants to work as a professor or in-house psychologist.
Junior Kalea Young-Gibson worked with Dr. Merry Sleigh on “Entitlement, Empathy, and Dark Triad Predict Political Attitudes and Knowledge,” to examine the relationship between political preferences and personality traits. She tied for second place in the social science category.
Young-Gibson is a double major in psychology and political science from Rock Hill, South Carolina.
“Before McNair, grad school wasn’t even on the table for me because I thought I wasn’t going to be able to afford it. I’m first-generation, low-income, so money is always tight, and I really felt that I’m doing good to able to be in undergraduate right now,” Young-Gibson said.
Young-Gibson plans to study public policy and administration and potentially earn a Juris Doctorate degree in law. She wants to pursue a career as a political advisor and a political analyst.
Though all three students’ presentations stood out amongst hundreds of other research projects, each student expressed that they were nervous before presenting and didn’t expect they would win.
“I thought ‘there is no way’, “Young-Gibson said of her chances of winning. “I know my topic is cool, but I’ve seen what other people are doing.”
“I was confident in my presentation, but I didn’t think I’d win,” Mitchell said.
“Winning gave me a boost of confidence,” Robinson said. “I was surprised and very proud of myself.”
Each student shared the same advice for any students considering applying for the McNair Scholars program: apply and apply early.
“You’re not going to go in perfect, and you’re not going to leave perfect, but you will leave better,” Robinson said.
“It’s an amazing experience. It challenges you in a good way,” Mitchell said.
The Winthrop McNair Scholars Program will accept applications through Friday, October 12, 2018. More information about eligibility and application requirements can be found on the McNair Scholars page of the Winthrop University website.
