McNair Fellow Stacy Uchendu Presents Research Project

2017 May 4

Stacy Uchendu was one of 10 senior McNair Fellows to present their undergraduate research projects, conducted with faculty mentors, at Senior Talks this spring.

The Wesleyan University Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program, established in 2007, assists students from underrepresented groups with preparing for, entering, and progressing successfully through postgraduate education by providing guidance, research opportunities, and academic and financial support to students planning to pursue PhDs. Junior and Senior Fellows do research with faculty mentors and participate in program activities with the McNair cohort.

Uchendu's talk was on “Characterizing Protocatechuate Dioxygenase Superfamily Members: Exploring DesB Inhibition.” Her mentor was Associate Professor of Chemistry Erika Taylor.

Reflecting on this year's fellows, McNair Faculty Director Suzanne O'Connell said, "For [Associate Director] Ronnie Hendrix and me, what was most impressive about this group was how well they worked together and supported each other through their research projects and the graduate school application process. They were a pleasure to work with."