UCSC’s Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department is known for its high-impact, hands-on field and research opportunities for undergraduate students. However, our junior transfer students often have limited time to build the faculty connections necessary to access these opportunities.
Your support can help fund and create partnerships with faculty to provide paid research experiences for transfer students during their first year or summer at UCSC.
Why is this important?
Transfer students may initially feel isolated when they arrive at the university. Building a community can be hard with so many new transitions. Structured paid research opportunities can accelerate students' sense of belonging and develop their scientific identity by immersing them in a faculty member’s lab, where they can connect with graduate student mentors and lab peers. Early engagement is critical for student retention and success!
Firsthand impact: EEB alum Aubrie Tait, Plant Sciences B.S. '23, shared this about her research experience:
"Transferring to UCSC came with unique challenges, especially knowing I had only two years instead of four to explore opportunities. It felt daunting to navigate a new environment and find research opportunities quickly, especially when I initially felt I was already playing catch-up. During my time as an undergrad at UCSC, I had the incredible opportunity to join the Kay Lab, where I worked closely with Julia Harenčár and Kathleen Kay on the hybridization and data collection of Costus plants for gene mapping. This experience allowed me to deepen my skills as a researcher while gaining practical expertise in horticulture and data collection. My time in the Kay Lab challenged me and enriched my education, sharpening my ability to carry out meticulous scientific work and igniting a lasting appreciation for plant science."
Your action matters: Share our project page on your social media and donate today! No gift is too small to support transfer students with exceptional opportunities.
Thank you for your support,
Rita Mehta, Chair, EEB Department
P.S. Help us win a time challenge by making your gift between 3-4 PM on November 20, 2024. Prizes are awarded to the organization with the highest number of donations during this time!
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