Summer program lets students be scientists

Local college students rolled up their sleeves and found out what the life of a research scientist is all about during a two-week program and symposium this summer.

Under the guidance of chemistry professor Mary McCarthy Hintz, geology professor Timothy Horner and environmental sciences professor Edward Martinez, some of the students studied the effects of a plant substance on breast cancer cells while others looked at spawning sites for salmon in the American River, the antibacterial properties of osha root and the health of the American River.

The research experience was sponsored by the Sacramento Science Educational Equity Program, a Sacramento State program that encourages students who might face social or economic hurdles in their pursuit of a career in the professions, science research and science teaching.

The student cancer researchers chose specimens they thought would be effective in the fight to cure breast cancer and then conducted their own experiments on live cancer cells. Some students chose plants that family members or ancestors used for medicinal purposes such as yams, sage, ginger root, dandelion roots and papaya. They made extracts from their plant materials, using water and ethanol and then compared the results.

Marisa Bautista, a Sacramento State senior, helped lead students through the procedures. She had participated in the same program two years ago.

“I didn’t know I wanted to be a researcher until I was in this program,” Bautista says. “I found out I love it. I’m now planning to go on to graduate school.”

Students from Sacramento City, Cosumnes River and American River Colleges, as well as Sacramento State took part in the program. Afterward they gave Power Point presentations to their colleagues and family members, giving them the opportunity to share their experiences.

Grants from the National Science Foundation (HRD03331537) and National Institute of General Medical Sciences (GM56645) funded the summer project.

For more information about this program, visit www.csus.edu/sedeq.