Allison Oster
Senior Public Relations Specialist
(626) 815-4518
Local High School Student Expands Learning Through University Research
August 29, 2007
AZUSA, Calif. –
Azusa Pacific University's Department of Biology and Chemistry received a research grant from the American Chemical Society (ACS) to establish Project SEED, which encourages high school students to develop an interest in chemical science careers and to pursue higher education. The grant provides financial assistance to an economically disadvantaged, minority high school student, allowing the student to participate in meaningful research.
Research staff at APU selected Hector Correa, a junior from Azusa High School, to participate in research with Kevin S. Huang, Ph.D., director of undergraduate research and assistant professor of chemistry at APU. Correa came highly recommended by Chuck Ernst, his chemistry teacher, vice principle Leroy Sherman, and principle David Williams at Azusa High School. At his interview, Correa articulated his passion and enthusiasm for mathematics and chemistry.
During the eight-week period, Correa assisted in constructing small molecules that could be valuable to the medicinal drug industry. The project, "The Role of Organic Synthesis in Drug Discovery," was based on Huang's post-doctoral research at Yale University. Huang explained that a strong demand exists for the efficient and rapid synthesis of large libraries of small molecules for drug discovery, and organic synthesis plays a critical role in addressing this need. The research group constructed new molecules that may have potential pharmaceutical applications. Two APU students, Mary J. Hernandez and Christopher F. Saucedo, supervised these efforts, furthering their learning as well. The group will present their findings at the regional ACS Conference in San Diego this October.
Project SEED aims to promote diversity in the field of chemical sciences. In keeping with this goal, the program encourages participants to take field trips to see science in action. Huang and Correa visited the City of Hope Cancer Research Center in Duarte. There, Correa was exposed to the current state-of-the-art research in fighting cancer.
Huang explained his motivation for participating in Project SEED. "For me, it's about sharing my faith with the community," said Huang. "To be able to share with a local high school student from an economically disadvantaged background about what it means to be a Christian chemist is rewarding."
For more information, contact Huang in the Department of Biology and Chemistry at (626) 815-6000, Ext. 3353.
Editor's Note: In October, Huang, Correa, Hernandez, and Saucedo attended the 41st Annual Western Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego, where Correa presented the work the group accomplished during the summer. Correa was one of five winners announced in the undergraduate/graduate student poster competition, competing against students from the Claremont Colleges and UCLA. The competition evaluated the "quality of the research, the presentation, and the professionalism of the student."
Featured in TIME magazine and ranked as one of the nation’s best by U.S.News & World Report and The Princeton Review, Azusa Pacific is a comprehensive, Christian, evangelical university, committed to God First and known for excellence in higher education. Azusa Pacific’s main campus lies just 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley, while its seven Southern California regional centers bring convenience and extend quality programming. The university offers more than 50 areas of undergraduate study, 23 master's degrees, and 7 doctorates to a total student population of more than 8,100.
