UMES holds 26th Winter Commencement

The research and experiential learning opportunities that have come Raekayla Johnson’s (at left) way during her pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore have set her well on the way to accomplishing her future goals.

Johnson, who crossed the dais on Dec. 16 along with some 167 degree candidates during UMES’ 26^th Winter Commencement to accept her well-earned diploma, has applied to pharmaceutical science doctoral programs including UMES’.

“I hope to obtain my Ph.D. and continue to pursue my passion for research while working in the pharmaceutical industry,” said Johnson, who calls Columbia, Maryland, home.

Johnson has spent the past two years working in the lab with chemistry professor Victoria Volkis and fellow student researchers. Her work is funded by the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation, a collaboration among University System of Maryland partner institutions aimed at increasing the number and success of minority students in STEM disciplines.

Participants in LSAMP work closely with faculty mentors developing their scientific acumen and STEM identity with the hope of influencing their decision to pursue graduate study or enter the workforce in science, technology, mathematics or related fields.

“LSAMP has provided me with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful as a Black woman in STEM,” Johnson said. “It also allowed me to get research experience that has opened doors for me that only LSAMP was able to provide.”

Johnson’s research prowess earned her first place in a poster presentation during UMES’ Spring 2023 Regional Research Symposium. Titled, “Carbon capture using chitin from seafood shells,” it addresses the problem of carbon dioxide pollution as one of the issues affectioning global warming. Amines, like regionally accessible chitin, have been found to be able to capture carbon, store and reduce it through reversible reactions and products like carbonate.

The budding scientist also received funding through a Dreyfus scholarship for the research project that she presented at the Spring 2023 American Chemistry Society’s national meeting in Indianapolis.  

When she leaves UMES as an undergraduate, Johnson will be the author on a research paper about the hydrolysis of chitin to improve carbon dioxide sequestration properties. The paper is due to be published in spring 2024, Volkis said.

Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, gcstephens@umes.edu

Photos by Todd Dudek, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural Sciences, tdudek@umes.edu