Student Research Catapults Next Generation of Leaders, Innovators, and Faculty

 

CSULB is a proud hub of intellectual achievement, innovation, and research. To promote these three pillars, our campus offers many exciting student research opportunities in a variety of disciplines. Facilitated by our Office of Undergraduate Research Services (OURS), we aim to expand undergraduate research opportunities for all students and prepare them for future success.  

This piece follows the story of six students who have benefitted from CSULB’s fruitful research programs and their endeavors to build a robust professional portfolio and cultivate impactful, lifelong skills – testifying to the value and long-term success of our research programs at The Beach. 

Testaments of Success 

Thomas Carrillo Jr. 

Carrillo Jr. is a biology major whose research in virology and microbiology examines the role of Annexin A2 in HIV-1 Nef Activity.  

The most useful skill he learned in the lab was how to build from failure to reach a goal. As a result, he developed a persevering mindset that encouraged him to pursue his passions, poising him for success in his current quest to apply for doctoral programs. 

“I find that there is beauty in trial and error through experimentation. Throughout life, growing from my failures has led to the most self-improvement,” says Carrillo Jr., “I appreciate the similarities between my lab work and life.” 

Faculty Mentor: Assistant Professor of biology, Dr. Peter Ramirez   

Program of Affiliation: Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement  

Diego Chinchilla 

Chinchilla was an engineering major whose research experience helped him obtain a fruitful career. His research project, “Predicting Solid Propellant Performance Based on Formulation,” examined the combustion process inside propellants and experimented with different sized ammonium perchlorate (AP) particles to determine which particles would prolong the combustion process. 

Today, Chinchilla is a Systems Safety Engineer at Boeing. Research opened many doors for him, including networking opportunities with like-minded peers, the cultivation of strong friendships, and an impressive record of experience and knowledge that eased his job search.  

Faculty Mentor: Assistant Professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, Dr. Joseph Kalman 

Program of Affiliation: Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program 

Alexander García 

García conducts research in a virology lab studying HIV-1 protein interactions. His project is titled "Determining whether Moesin is a cellular dependency factor of HIV-1 Nef." 

His journey to research began during the second year of his undergraduate career. Since joining his first lab, García’s ardor for research in virology exponentially grew. Today, he is applying for doctorate programs, where he puts his accumulated experiences, talents, and skills to use. 

Faculty Mentor: Assistant Professor of biology, Dr. Peter Ramirez. 

Program of Affiliation: Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement  

Huy Phan 

A linguistics scholar, Phan’s research interests shed light on Tây, a historically underrepresented, threatened, and understudied Southern Vietnamese dialect. His projects document Tây’s unique sound system, grammar, and vocabulary for future community-based activities to maintain and promote it. His undergraduate project, "Aspects of Bến Tre Phonology," provides a first, in-depth examination of Tây’s sound system.  

Phan’s rigorous research experiences were instrumental in bolstering his interpersonal communication skills and acceptance into the University of California, Santa Barbara’s (UCSB) doctorate program in linguistics. Today, he inspires others and gives back to his community by mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds. 

Faculty Mentor: Associate Professor and Undergraduate Advisor in the department of linguistics, Dr. Michael Ahland 

Program of Affiliation: Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program 

Alexi Reed 

Reed has conducted research both in health psychology and biomedical engineering. Her projects are titled “Qualitative Data: Answering What Numbers Can't” and “Collagen-Based Scaffolds for Muscle Regeneration.” With research projects examining the body and mind, Reed owes it to The Beach for the enriching, interdisciplinary journey she has led. 

Reed’s research catapulted her to academic success at other distinguished institutions. She attended Purdue University’s Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program for Translational Biomedical Sciences, where she implemented skills learned at CSULB like attention to detail, following and writing protocol, and exhibiting impeccable lab etiquette. She still uses those same foundational talents through her PhD program at Arizona State University, which she began in August 2023. 

Faculty Mentors:  

• Professor of psychology, Dr. Guido Urizar  

• Associate Professor of biomedical engineering, Dr. Perla Ayala 

Programs of Affiliation:  

• Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program 

• Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program  

Demetrius Tien 

A PhD student in global and international studies at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), Tien reminisces on his undergraduate years at CSULB, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in Asian American studies. His undergraduate project, “The Exhibition of Afong Moy: Racial Construction of The Chinese Lady through Representation" looks at racial and gendered constructions of Chinese femininity in a 19th century exhibition of Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman in the United States. 

A future faculty member, the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship equipped Tien with many skills that alleviated the challenges of graduate school, such as crafting grant proposals, applying for conferences, and preparing intellectually stimulating courses. 

Faculty Mentor: Assistant Professor of history, Dr. Rajbir Singh Judge 

Program of Affiliation: Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship 

A Conference’s Purpose 

Conferences immensely help to shape our students’ success in their academic fields by providing opportunities to present research, network among peers, and become subject matter specialists.  

“My first conference experience was amazing. It was my first time presenting my research outside of a school setting. I remember being very nervous and anxious about what to expect from the event as a whole,” says García, “Once I got there, I really enjoyed it, being around a community of people interested in science is very motivating and gives you a rewarding feeling. Presenting was not as bad as I thought it would be. It was just like having a conversation about what you have worked on.” 

With research conference season under way, CSULB encourages students to take advantage of the many innovative opportunities we offer on our campus. 

This spring, we also encourage ALL to see the insightful research of our Beach students at the 36th Annual Student Research Competition on March 8 and the National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR) from April 8 – 10. Join us and review the impeccable exploration, study, and discoveries conducted by our brilliant students. For a comprehensive list of student research programs, resources, and sponsorship opportunities, visit the OURS’ website.  

For funding opportunities for the Office of Undergraduate Research Services, please visit their giving page.