Accomplishments & Events
Daniel Idowu
Trainee Spotlight
The NIH R25 UPWARDS program has formed a partnership with a community advocate, Gustavia Pearl’s Outreach. During an scholarship and awards luncheon hosted by Gustaiva’s Pearls on May 1st 2022, trainee Daniel Idowu presented to encourage the 2022 high school graduates who were attending to keep excelling and introducing them to consider STEM careers. Many of the honorees were receiving either scholarship and/or community services awards.
2021-2022 Outreach Activities
Blood Drive and The Science Behind Blood
UPWARDS trainees Rubi Avendano Sanchez and Maria Puche
organized a Blood Drive at Houston Baptist University and presented
information on dehydration, plasma, platelets, and red blood cell
restoration to all participants.
Scientific Method + Chemical Reactions & pH
UPWARDS trainees Raul Caballero Montes, Jene Samuels, and Christopher Trinh delivered a presentation explainig the scientific method and performed two experiements to a seventh grade science class at Albright Middle School. One illustrating the pH of bottled water and the other demonstrating milk spoilage and the formation of casein.
Pathways to Science and College Prep
UPWARDS trainee Daniel Idowu and his faculty mentor, Dr. Richard Behringer, presented to seniors at Mayde Creek High School on different pathways in science and provided tips on how to prepare for college.
Egg Drop Experiment
UPWARDS trainee Codi Mai assisted a group of kids from the Ronald McDonald House of Houston in an egg drop experiment by explaining and illustrating Sir Isaac Newton's law of motion.
Strawberry DNA Extraction
UPWARDS trainee Saman Nekoobahr gave a short talk to a
senior science class at Cesar Chavez High School on DNA and the
importance of scientifc research and concluded with an scientific
demonstration involving the extraction of DNA from a strawberry.
Professional Development Events
Journal Club 2022
In February, our UPWARDS trainees had the opportunity to attend the monthly CPRIT journal club. During this time, the UPWARDS trainees were able to see our CPRIT Graduate Scholars and TRIUMPH Postdoctoral Fellows present their research.