{"id":9131,"date":"2023-12-18T15:01:57","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T20:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/?p=9131"},"modified":"2023-12-18T16:27:25","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T21:27:25","slug":"umes-holds-26th-winter-commencement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/sans-monthly-digest\/umes-holds-26th-winter-commencement\/","title":{"rendered":"UMES holds 26th Winter Commencement"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Raekayla Johnson, a biology major from Columbia, Maryland, left, gets help from Nicole Warren with her mortar board.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The research and experiential learning opportunities that have come Raekayla Johnson<\/strong>\u2019s (at left) <\/em>way during her pursuit of a bachelor\u2019s degree in biology at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore have set her well on the way to accomplishing her future goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johnson, who crossed the dais on Dec. 16 along with some 167 degree candidates during UMES\u2019 26th<\/sup> Winter Commencement to accept her well-earned diploma, has applied to pharmaceutical science doctoral programs including UMES\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hope to obtain my Ph.D. and continue to pursue my passion for research while working in the pharmaceutical industry,\u201d said Johnson, who calls Columbia, Maryland, home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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>, a collaboration among University System of Maryland partner institutions aimed at increasing the number and success of minority students in STEM disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cLSAMP has provided me with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful as a Black woman in STEM,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cIt also allowed me to get research experience that has opened doors for me that only LSAMP was able to provide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johnson\u2019s research prowess earned her first place in a poster presentation during UMES\u2019 Spring 2023 Regional Research Symposium. Titled, \u201cCarbon capture using chitin from seafood shells,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The budding scientist also received funding through a Dreyfus scholarship for the research project that she presented at the Spring 2023 American Chemistry Society\u2019s national meeting in Indianapolis.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, <\/em>gcstephens@umes.edu<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos by Todd Dudek, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural Sciences, <\/em>tdudek@umes.edu<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Students file into the William P. Hytche Arena as almost 200 graduates from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduated Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 during Winter 2023 Commencement in Princess Anne. (Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Agriculture Communication Photographer)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Ragina Whyte, a Biology major from Brooklyn, Kaylin Nichols, a Animal Science major from Clinton and Raekayla Johnson, a Biology major from Columbia pose for a photo as almost 200 graduates from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduated Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 during Winter 2023 Commencement in Princess Anne. (Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Agriculture Communication Photographer)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Jennifer Wright with the registrars office, right, leads graduates from the School of Agricultural and Natural Science (SANS) into the arena as almost 200 graduates from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduated Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 during Winter 2023 Commencement in Princess Anne. (Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Agriculture Communication Photographer)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Braydan Graham, right, a environmental science graduate from Seaford waves to the crowd as almost 200 graduates from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduated Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 during Winter 2023 Commencement in Princess Anne. (Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Agriculture Communication Photographer)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Grad Student Ebony Jenkins poses for a photo as almost 200 graduates from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduated Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 during Winter 2023 Commencement in Princess Anne. (Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Agriculture Communication Photographer)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Yahzamon Jackson, a Pre-Vet student from Baltimore shows off her mortar board as almost 200 graduates from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduated Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 during Winter 2023 Commencement in Princess Anne. (Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Agriculture Communication Photographer)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Grad Student Jasmine Smalls with the LMRCSC program enters the arena as almost 200 graduates from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduated Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 during Winter 2023 Commencement in Princess Anne. (Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Agriculture Communication Photographer)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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UMES President Heidi Anderson enters into the William P. Hytche Arena as almost 200 graduates from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduated Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 during Winter 2023 Commencement in Princess Anne. (Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Agriculture Communication Photographer)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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UMES President Heidi Anderson enters into the William P. Hytche Arena as almost 200 graduates from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduated Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 during Winter 2023 Commencement in Princess Anne. (Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Agriculture Communication Photographer)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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A student decorated her mortar board as she graduated from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 during Winter 2023 Commencement in Princess Anne. (Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Agriculture Communication Photographer)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>