Four U of A Alumni Return as Post-Baccalaureate Students Through the NSF’s ‘REPS’ Program

L-R: Alexia Maceda, Ruben Michael Ceballos, Mareva Ford, Leandro Mozzoni, Guillermo Leyva, Adnan Alrubaye, Emily Carter and Michelle Evans-White.

The National Science Foundation has awarded four Research Experiences for Post-Baccalaureate Students (REPS) supplementals attached to NSF grants directed by assistant professor Ruben Michael Ceballos and professor Michelle Evans-White, both of the U of A’s Department of Biological Sciences.

The NSF REPS program provides oneyear of full-time salary support for graduates who seek an additional year of post-baccalaureate research experience in preparation for a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

A post-baccalaureate scholar is defined as an individual who has a bachelor’s degree but is not currently enrolled in another degree program.

Aligned with the U of A’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, the NSF BIO directorate is particularly interested in increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in biological research and education such as women, persons with disabilities and those from historically underrepresented racial or ethnic groups.

U of A alumna Alexia Maceda (’20) will work with Ceballos Lab on an archaeal virus project. Graduate Guillermo Leyva (’20) will work on a collaborative project between the Ceballos Lab and the lab of research assistant professor of biological sciences and poultry science Adnan Alrubaye investigating the use of engineered mobile enzyme sequestration platforms (MESPs) as a probiotic supplement in chicken feed to increase food-conversion-ratio.

In addition to their research obligations, Leyva and Maceda will work closely with U of A outreach partner, Ozark Catholic Academy (OCA), to design science curriculum and deliver lectures to help develop a robust science program at this area high school.

Mareva Ford (’20) will work on a collaborative project between the Ceballos Lab and the lab of associate professor of crop, soil and environmental science Leandro Mozzoni investigating the physiology and biochemistry of Bacillus subtilis var. natto.

Colby College graduate Emily Carter (’20) will work with the Evans-White lab to assess the occurrence and distribution of rivercane, a culturally-significant plant to Native American tribes, in Arkansas.

In total, over $175,000 was secured through NSF supplemental funding to support the continued STEM training of these graduates.

All four REPS scholars are from backgrounds that are considered by the NSF to be underrepresented in STEM.

“These post-baccalaureate opportunities demonstrate the university’s commitment to enhancing human resources in STEM in the state of Arkansas and represent another way that the university is addressing disparities in STEM as part of ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives,” Ceballos said.

This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.