Report on Academic Showcase

Kenneth Geh
Bongnwi N. Tangyie
Nayo Shell

Kenneth Geh
Science & Global Change
Title of Project: Who am I? Differential Diagnostic Approach to Holistic Healthcare

Description of Project: Kenneth shadowed a distinguished doctor. He worked at Crossroads Medical Associates in Ellicott City, MD. Dr. Warren Ross diagnosed patients’ conditions using various data. He would factor in a patients race, ethnicity and other things to determine how they would age. Kenneth would take notes and study the doctor’s methods for addressing each patient and how he, himself, could adapt the methods later on in his career.

What were the main benefits you received from doing the project?: Kenneth realized how in depth a doctor’s work really is. At first, he believed that being a doctor was just about diagnosing a patient’s condition, referring ways for them to get better and then repeat the process for subsequent patients. Kenneth learned to appreciate the multi-layered approach that Dr. Ross had with each individual.

What were the main pitfalls or obstacles during the development and/or undertaking of the project?: During the course of the internship, he had to acclimate himself to the various terminology. Dr. Ross, being a distinguished practitioner, used term that Kenneth did not know to describe the diagnosis. The obstacle came in understanding how such diagnoses were reached, while also understanding how they were described. It required multi-tasking.

How has the internship affected your decision to pursue Pre-Med?: Kenneth became more in-tune with his career and appreciated the interaction between the patient and doctor. He looks forward to developing that trust in his own future.

Bongnwi N. Tangyie
Science & Global Change
Title of Project: Quest to Energize and Expand Young Minds

Description of Project: During the summer, Bongnwi participated in a 4 week commuter and residential program called ESTEEM/SER-Quest. About 20 rising high school seniors were offered the opportunity to do research over the summer. Bongnwi was a leader during the program and was in charge of the students while they engaged in multiple activities. He lead campus tours and supervised field trips to places such as NASA. This program was made to expose students to the scientific world and give them more reasons to apply to the UMD College Park and pursue S.T.E.M. majors.

What were the main benefits you received from doing the project?: The project enabled Bongnwi to develop professionally. He had to uphold and image for the students he oversaw so that they would look up to him as a role model. He also developed better communication skills in having to oversee projects and help the students understand the work they were doing. This ultimately resulted in him gaining more leadership skills because he had to fulfill his responsibilities.

What were the main pitfalls or obstacles during the development and/or undertaking of the project?: Since the students were still in high school, there were moments when keeping them in line was a problem. They became distracted at times and had to refocus on their work. Also, the program being in the summer caused tension because of the hot temperature. There were a few things to work through.

Do you still keep in contact with the students?: In the past year, the same students he helped applied to the UMD and he served as a liaison during their application process. He gave them advice on what to highlight on their applications and how to effectively move forward as potential college students.

Nayo Shell
Science & Global Change
Title of Project: Conserving Sage-Grouse in the United States and Canada

Description of Project: Nayo did research on ways to save the endangered Sage-Grouse Species in the U.S. and Canada. She researched states that contain the endangered population and worked with her employer in DC to create new protection plans. She used the internet to search for current protection plans developed by federal agencies. Nayo even aided Nevada in developing new conservation plans.

What were the main benefits you received from doing the project?: She gained exposure in approaching different people. She learned how to approach various congressmen. She also gained insight into her future career plans; she understood that wild life research was not her real interest, but appreciated the exposure.

What were the main pitfalls or obstacles during the development and/or undertaking of the project?: In trying to further her project, she ran into speed bumps will contacting congressmen. Sometimes she would get no response and this caused stagnation in the process.

How did the project fit into your major?: As an environmental science and policy maker major, she experienced the process of pursuing her own policies. She had to struggle at times which made her realize that she did not want to focus on wild-life policies that much.

Last modified: 25 May 2014