SACNAS Helps Scholars Plan for Their Future
In September, 49 BUILD Scholars attended the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Conference, which was held here in Long Beach and was proudly co-sponsored by the California State University system. Nine of them also presented their research. Many of our trainees felt that this conference was a great way to ease them into the large professional conference experience, as well as prepare them for a career in research.
SACNAS offered “a great opportunity to network with different graduate school recruiters, and look into different potential summer internship programs,” said Tatiana Avila, a First Year BUILD Scholar who presented her research on aggression at SACNAS.
“People are so easy to talk to at SACNAS!” said Vivianna Goh, also a First Year BUILD Scholar. This was her second professional conference – she presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in May. “So many professionals are willing to answer questions, exchange business cards, and have a good conversation with students,” she said. “I was able to talk to a USDA researcher after his presentation, and hope to do my internship there over the summer.”
SACNAS was First-Year BUILD Scholar Michael Torres’ first professional conference. “Since it was my first research conference, I did not know what to expect,” he said. “I really enjoyed the workshops that were given, as they were insightful. In addition, the exhibit booths were very informative about where to apply for summer research internships and gave perspective on graduate schools.”
SACNAS offered a variety of networking opportunities, including the workshops, lectures, exhibitor area and adjunct events. Torres learned about MD/Ph.D. programs and how valuable they can be. He also enjoyed “the time to blend together with fellow BUILD students,” and getting to meet students from other BUILD Programs such as Cal State Northridge, San Francisco State, and University of Alaska Fairbanks and NIH program officers at the Diversity Program Consortium mixer that was held on the evening of Oct. 12.
Goh loved “the useful workshops, graduate school/Ph.D. programs/industry booths, and the wonderful research presented by the students,” she said. “I also enjoyed learning more about Native American and other cultures.”
As a presenter, Avila appreciated that they “had two hours to present and disseminate our findings.” She also enjoyed being the only presenter that attended SACNAS for her research. When she presented at Western Psychological Association in April, she was one of four authors attending. “I had the opportunity to explain everything, instead of taking turns with others.”
SACNAS is one of two major conferences CSULB BUILD program trainees are required to choose from to attend. The other is the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS).
