Ten Henry Ford College students were selected to participate in a research fellowship this summer at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The Undergrad Research Opportunity Program, or UROP, is a program where students can research a topic in their area of study. A division of this is the Community College Summer Research Program or CCSFP. The CCSFP is for community college students that are interested in transferring to the University of Michigan. For ten weeks, students work full-time on the U of M campus with university advisors they call sponsors. Research projects are pre-selected by staff.

It is important to note that these students are paid for their work and given full time hours, a maximum of forty a week. This can help with either gas, if you are commuting, or living expenses if you chose to rent nearby for the duration of the fellowship. U of M also offers housing stipends for students living outside of Wayne or Washtenaw counties. James Stambaugh participated in the program in the summer of 2014 and was able to continue to work with UROP throughout the year and expand upon his research developing nano-porous electrodes to be used in micro-fluidic devices. I figured it had something to do with robots. Actually, he was working with tiny electrodes designed to test blood on the spot instead of having to send it to a lab and wait for test results. Stambaugh drove to the university every day when he was a part of the summer research fellowship, but observed that those that lived in Ann Arbor (near campus) had developed a stronger bond.

This program also helps to acclimate prospective students. They learn the layout of campus as well as how to find resources. “The transition from community college to a university can be intimidating. There are so many buildings and so many different people, and tons of paperwork…” states Halimah Amatullah “But the time we spent on campus really took away a lot of those fears.” For ten weeks Amatullah lived in downtown Ann Arbor while researching stem cells.

At the end of the fellowship, an event was held for all of the students to present their projects. Four students were selected to give an oral presentation to kick-off the event. Amongst those chosen was HFC’s own: Hector Ochoa. He presented his research on the heightened Co2 levels since the cretaceous period by studying sea shells. “The research project I was involved with is so interesting, it almost presents itself,” Ochoa expressed. “Climate change is something that is happening and it is important to understand how temperatures will feel like as Co2 levels continue to rise.” Ochoa practiced his presentation with colleagues and staff. “I learned how to better receive advice and criticisms.”

Once the speakers were finished, a larger room showcased all of the student’s poster boards. Each stood next to their display and answered the passerby’s questions. Within the crowd were unmarked judges – much like secret shoppers. They would ask questions of the students and if the judges were satisfied with the participant’s knowledge of their research, they would be awarded a blue ribbon. Two Henry Ford students won this blue ribbon. They were Thaer Arafat and Xavier Owens. “I really improved on my networking, communication, and professional skills,” says Owens about his experience with UROP. “The most impactful part of the program was working closely with people that are pioneers in their field.”

Henry Ford College’s Honors Program will be hosting a field trip to University of Michigan in this fall semester. Seven of the ten students that participated this summer were active Honors Students at Henry Ford College. If you are not an Honors Student, but are interested in checking out the UROP program, you can contact Dr. Michael Daher at mdaher@hfcc.edu.