Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center

McNair Scholars Program

The McNair Scholars Program is embedded within the UROC Scholars program and prepares academically-talented and motivated CSUMB undergraduates from all majors for doctoral level studies via engagement in research and other scholarly activities that support the successful transition to graduate programs.

The McNair Scholars Program is supported by the Department of Education and established in memory of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, a physicist and NASA astronaut who served on the Challenger space shuttle.

The McNair Program is for students who:

  • Enjoy being part of a student cohort striving for graduate degrees.
  • Strive for intensive research experiences.
  • Dedicate themselves to scholarship, leadership, and high-achievement.
  • Commit to pursuing a Ph.D. in a research-focused graduate program.

Learn more about the McNair experience in the Stories of Dos Mujeres McNair at CSUMB podcast. 

Efrain Ramirez and Oscar Murillo-Espinoza preparing for the 2023 Summer Research Symposium.

McNair Scholars visit Arizona State University to learn more about graduate school. 

Damaris Ispache conducting summer research at the University of Minnesota.

Current McNair Scholars

  • Reina Yorba-Rico, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Renee Penalver, Assistant Professor, Psychology Department
  • Aaron Wickware, Marine Science. Faculty Mentor: Cheryl Logan, Professor, Department of Marine Science
  • Anastasia Swann, Biology. Faculty Mentor: Nathaniel Jue, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
  • Heaven Smith, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Jennifer Dyer-Seymour, Professor, Psychology Department
  • Latasha Neal, Music. Faculty Mentor: Jeremias Zunguze, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Communication
  • Dolores Haidee Marquez, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Renee Penalver, Assistant Professor, Psychology Department
  • Ramona Jalomo, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Jill Yamashita, Professor, Psychology Department
  • Nancy Espitia, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Justin Matthews, Associate Professor, Psychology Department
  • Mikayla Castillo, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Christine Rosales, Assistant Professor, Psychology Department
  • Sofia Barajas, Marine Science. Faculty Mentor: Cheryl Logan, Professor, Department of Marine Science
  • Melanie Abarca, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Jennifer Lovell, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
  • Connor Quiroz, Environmental Science, Technology, and Policy. Faculty Mentor: John Olson, Professor, Department of Applied Environmental Science
  • Sarina Regis, Biology. Faculty Mentor: McKenzie Floyd, Lecturer, Department of Biology & Chemistry
  • Moncerat Navarro Carpio, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Christine Rosales, Assistant Professor, Psychology Department
  • Karla Buitrago-Yepes, Marine Science. Faculty Mentor: Cheryl Logan, Professor, Department of Marine Science
  • Marlenne Ortega, Environmental Science, Technology, & Policy. Faculty Mentor: James Guilinger, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Environmental Science 
  • Milo Ramos, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Jennifer Dyer-Seymour, Professor, Professor, Psychology Department
  • Yeritzi Victoria, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Renee Penalver, Assistant Professor, Psychology Department
  • Samantha Ulloa, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Renee Penalver, Assistant Professor, Psychology Department
  • Efrain Ramirez, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Danielle Burchett, Associate Professor, Psychology Department
  • Oscar Murillo-Espinoza, Mathematics. Faculty Mentor: Alison Lynch, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
  • Jhoana Morales-Lopez, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Jennifer Dyer-Seymour, Professor, Psychology Department
  • Levi Mahler, Japanese Language and Culture. Faculty Mentor: Shigeko Sekine, Professor, School of Languages and Cultures
  • Jasmin Juarez-Gonzalez, Marine Science. Faculty Mentor: Cheryl Logan, Professor, Department of Marine Science
  • Damaris Ispache, Agricultural Plant and Soil Science. Faculty Mentor: Arun Jani, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
  • Caleb Hernandez, Marine Science. Faculty Mentor: Cheryl Logan, Professor, Department of Marine Science
  • Derek Flores, Kinesiology. Faculty Mentor: Maria Bellumuri, Associate Professor, Kinesiology Department
  • Maria Fernanda Corral, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Jennifer Dyer-Seymour, Professor, Psychology Department
  • Sofia Campos, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Jennifer Dyer-Seymour, Professor, Psychology Department
  • Jissel Antonio, Human Communication. Faculty Mentor: Chrissy Hernandez, Assistant Professor, Service Learning Institute
  • Rosa Acevedo Duran, Psychology. Faculty Mentor: Jennifer Lovell, Associate Professor, Psychology
  • Kimmy Smith, Collaborative Health and Human Services. Faculty Mentor: Jennifer Lovell, Associate Professor, Psychology

Benefits

  • Discipline-specific faculty mentoring
  • Comprehensive research seminar
  • $2800 annual research scholarship
  • National recognition
  • Graduate school preparation and funding advisement
  • GRE fee reduction waivers and GRE preparation workshops including study materials
  • Travel support to present research at nationally recognized research conferences
  • Supportive network of McNair Scholars
  • Graduate programs/schools visits
  • Opportunity to publish in peer-reviewed journals
  • Participation in cultural events and social gatherings

Eligibility

  • Strong academic records (recommended minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA)
  • U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency
  • Be either a first-generation & low-income college student or belong to a group traditionally underrepresented in higher education
Ronald E. McNair, African American Astronaut
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Who was Ronald McNair?

Dr. Ronald Erwin McNair was an American NASA astronaut and physicist who died during the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on January 28, 1986. Growing up in a low-income community in South Carolina, McNair overcame obstacle after obstacle ultimately being selected as one of 35 new astronauts from 8,000 applicants in 1978. He was also one of just three African Americans selected, which included Col. Guion Bluford, the first African American to travel in space. McNair would become the second African American to fly in space in 1984. McNair was also an accomplished saxophonist and even played while in space.

Following his death, members of Congress provided funding to create the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program. It is intended to encourage students who come from low-income, first-generation college backgrounds, or are members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education to pursue doctoral level students through involvement in research and other scholarly activity.