On-campus organization supports Hispanic, Native American students in sciences

The Rutgers chapter of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) is an undergraduate and graduate on-campus organization that promotes the awareness of research and professional development for minority STEM students, according to the club's getINVOLVED page.

Steven Montecinos Montes, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences senior and co-president of the undergraduate chapter of the organization, said that he joined the club due to its focus on expanding access for underrepresented students who are interested in the sciences. He also said that the purpose of the organization is to give students knowledge, ideas and opportunities to become more involved in scientific fields.

He also said that it is rare to find another Latino person or anyone who is part of an underrepresented community in science-related fields.

"I do want to emphasize, while our acronym and our organization is focused on underrepresented students, we are really just open to accepting anyone," he said.

Montecinos Montes said that he helps run the Rutgers chapter of the national organization. By establishing professional development programs, events and chapters across the country, the national organization hopes to improve diversity in science.

Montecinos Montes told The Daily Targum that he went to the SACNAS national conference in Portland, Oregon, to present his research on the interactions between bile acids and the immune system.

Furthermore, he said that through his internship at The Scripps Research Institute in Florida, he researched the potential relationship between the two in resulting in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.

The Scripps Research Institute advances core bioscience knowledge and aims to use these discoveries to create meaningful solutions that enhance health. The Institute hosts educational and training programs for students who are interested in bioscience. 

"It was really interesting hearing about other people's experiences doing some research at different institutions, as well as being able to talk and guide some of the students that were there based on what they would want to do in their future," he said, on attending the conference.

Montencinos Montes said that the undergraduate Rutgers chapter hosts research panels and networking events for the students. For example, he said the undergraduate and graduate SACNAS Rutgers chapters network with one another in gatherings.

"We're interested in potentially holding … a little symposium with other organizations on campus to help give students the opportunity to practice … public speaking, presenting their work and getting feedback," he said.

Montecinos Montes said that it is important that there is a space to support underrepresented communities in the sciences due to their lack of representation and access to knowledge in the fields. He said that the organization addresses the issue and creates more spaces to help students.

"I remember growing up seeing scientists on TV," he said. "It seemed like such an obscure job, and this was completely inaccessible to me."

Montecinos Montes said to the Targum that he hopes students will allow themselves to foster their own communities between each other in the SACNAS undergraduate chapter. For example, he said that he wants the students to be able to search and apply for programs that they want to pursue and gain research experience from.

Additionally, he said that the chapter can help students this semester by looking at their resumes, providing mentorship for their personal statements or extending access to various connections such as labs. Overall, he said that he wants students to gain the opportunity to learn what science could mean for them.

"Spread the knowledge, spread the opportunities, as well as allow students to network and create their own community within science," he said.