Undergraduate student Joselyn Soto was awarded a SACNAS Student Presentation Award for her presentation, “Morphological and Functional Consequences of Hippocampal Demyelination and Remyelination-Induced Recovery,” at 2016 SACNAS: The National Diversity in STEM Conference in Long Beach, Calif., Oct. 13-15.

In a message to Ernest Martinez, associate professor of biochemistry and director of UCR’s MARC U-STAR program, and Michael McKibben, associate professor of geology and CNAS divisional dean of student academic affairs, the SACNAS Student Presentations Committee wrote:

We are writing to share with you the superb research presentation Joselyn Soto recently delivered at 2016 SACNAS: The National Diversity in STEM Conference in Long Beach, CA. At the conference, our judges recognized Joselyn Soto's work, titled "Morphological and Functional Consequences of Hippocampal Demyelination and Remyelination-Induced Recovery," as a standout among the student presentations, and selected Joselyn Soto to receive one of the 2016 SACNAS Student Presentation Awards.

SACNAS is a society of scientists dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientists—from college students to professionals—to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in science. This year, the National Conference gathered over 4000 students and professionals. Taking place over three days, the conference showcased both undergraduate and graduate student presentations, offered scientific symposia, keynote addresses, professional development sessions, and a grand exhibit hall in which students interacted with over 300 exhibitors representing colleges and universities across the nation.

In addition to these activities, the conference was also an opportunity for students to present their research in a professional setting. This year, over 1000 posters and oral presentations were delivered at the conference. Each year we receive comments from attendees highly impressed by the caliber of student research. Our undergraduate and graduate students consistently present research that surpasses expectations in their respective categories.

It is our honor to share that Joselyn Soto’s communication skills and command of the research topic were exemplary. This letter recognizes the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice necessary for a student to standout from their fellow presenters. We feel that your program is enhanced by the participation of Joselyn Soto, as such commitment will drive fellow researchers to similar heights.

Congratulations on hosting such a talent!

In addition to her research in the lab of Associate Professor SeemaTiwari-Woodruff in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Soto is a member of the MARC-U STAR program (Maximizing Access to Research Careers - Undergraduate Student Student Training in Academic Research) and serves as a CNAS Science Ambassador, Supplemental Instruction (SI) leader in the UCR Academic Resource Center, and participated in the UCR School of Medicine’s FastStart program.