Unusual Event at EFRI: Researchers Report Remarkable Electrochemical Discovery

Unusual Event at EFRI: Researchers Report Remarkable Electrochemical Discovery

The Research Experience and Mentoring (REM) Program at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) provides a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to delve into scientific research, guided by experienced mentors, and gain valuable professional development skills.

The REM Program, designed for high school or undergraduate students with a keen interest in research, offers a competitive selection process. Participants engage in active scientific inquiry, working on research projects under the supervision of faculty or professional mentors. The program focuses on instruction relevant to the research area, data collection and analysis, scientific communication, and presentations.

The REM Program emphasizes skills development and professional growth, preparing participants for future academic and research opportunities. The program recruits 4-6 undergraduate students each year and offers a stipend of $6,000 for a 6-week period at UCSD, with potential housing or commuting support.

This year, a group of undergraduate students, including Josue Navarrete, Talia Quiroga, Areya Blanco, Mayra Fonseca, Saidi Garcia, Rebecca Mendoza, Jayden Chaloux, Antoinette Jane Dizon, and Harshika Rathod, participated in the REM Program's summer research experience in 2023 and 2024.

Talia Quiroga, for instance, worked with Dr. Rebecca Fielding-Miller's lab to develop ethical and legal guidelines for the implementation of living materials in healthcare settings. Meanwhile, Josue Navarrete performed computational metabolic modeling of bacterial interactions in Dr. Karsten Zengler's lab. Jayden Chaloux, on the other hand, fabricated living materials with 3D bioprinters in Dr. Shaochen Chen's lab. Antoinette Jane Dizon researched microbial competition in the built environment in Dr. Jack Gilbert's lab.

The REM Program offers a wide range of research projects under four general themes: Microbial competition in the built environment, Computational metabolic modeling, Materials science and 3D printing, and Ethical and responsible translational activities.

It's important to note that the REM Program is part of an NSF-funded project entitled, "Developing probiotic interventions to reduce the emergence and persistence of pathogens in built environments."

The REM Program is open to currently enrolled undergraduate students who are US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents and will be attending in the upcoming fall. International students may apply but might face limitations due to shipping restrictions for remote lab kits or other logistical considerations.

Talia Quiroga, a passionate advocate for assisting marginalized communities, plans to attend graduate school for marine biotechnology and biomedicine after completing the REM Program. Antoinette Jane Dizon, who aims to pursue a career in marine biotechnology and biomedicine, also plans to attend graduate school after her participation in the REM Program.

For those interested in applying, materials such as a personal statement, short-answer questions, resume, transcript, and a letter of recommendation are typically required. Detailed application steps for the general REM program can be found on UCSD’s Research Scholars or departmental websites.

Unfortunately, the REM Program at UCSD is paused for 2025 due to lack of funding. However, the program continues to offer valuable opportunities for students interested in scientific research and professional development.

[1] UC San Diego, "Undergraduate Research," accessed March 15, 2023, [2] UC San Diego, "REM Program," accessed March 15, 2023, [3] UC San Diego, "Bioengineering Research Scholars," accessed March 15, 2023,

1. The REM Program at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is a unique opportunity for undergraduate students, providing a platform for scientific research in various fields including marine biology, climate science, and more.
2. The REM Program, open to high school or undergraduate students with a keen interest in research, offers a competitive selection process.
3. Participants engage in active scientific inquiry, working on research projects under the supervision of faculty or professional mentors.
4. The program focuses on instruction relevant to the research area, data collection and analysis, scientific communication, and presentations.
5. Skills development and professional growth are emphasized, preparing participants for future academic and research opportunities.
6. The program recruits 4-6 undergraduate students each year and offers a stipend of $6,000 for a 6-week period at UCSD, with potential housing or commuting support.
7. This year, a group of undergraduate students, including Josue Navarrete, Talia Quiroga, Areya Blanco, Mayra Fonseca, Saidi Garcia, Rebecca Mendoza, Jayden Chaloux, Antoinette Jane Dizon, and Harshika Rathod, participated in the REM Program's summer research experience.
8. Talia Quiroga worked with Dr. Rebecca Fielding-Miller's lab on ethical and legal guidelines for living materials in healthcare settings.
9. Josue Navarrete performed computational metabolic modeling of bacterial interactions in Dr. Karsten Zengler's lab.
10. Jayden Chaloux fabricated living materials with 3D bioprinters in Dr. Shaochen Chen's lab.
11. Antoinette Jane Dizon researched microbial competition in the built environment in Dr. Jack Gilbert's lab.
12. The REM Program offers a wide range of research projects under four general themes: Microbial competition in the built environment, Computational metabolic modeling, Materials science and 3D printing, and Ethical and responsible translational activities.
13. It's important to note that the REM Program is part of an NSF-funded project entitled, "Developing probiotic interventions to reduce the emergence and persistence of pathogens in built environments."
14. The REM Program is open to currently enrolled undergraduate students who are US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents and will be attending in the upcoming fall.
15. International students may apply but might face limitations due to shipping restrictions for remote lab kits or other logistical considerations.
16. Talia Quiroga, a passionate advocate for assisting marginalized communities, plans to attend graduate school for marine biotechnology and biomedicine after completing the REM Program.
17. Antoinette Jane Dizon, who aims to pursue a career in marine biotechnology and biomedicine, also plans to attend graduate school after her participation in the REM Program.
18. For those interested in applying, materials such as a personal statement, short-answer questions, resume, transcript, and a letter of recommendation are typically required.
19. Detailed application steps for the general REM program can be found on UCSD’s Research Scholars or departmental websites.
20. Unfortunately, the REM Program at UCSD is paused for 2025 due to lack of funding.
21. However, the program continues to offer valuable opportunities for students interested in scientific research and professional development.
22. In addition to scientific research, the REM Program also covers areas like health and wellness, including mental health, men's health, women's health, and various medical conditions such as cancers, chronic diseases, and autoimmune disorders.
23. Fitness and exercise, nutrition, skin care, and eye-health are also part of the program, emphasizing overall health and wellness.
24. The REM Program also touches upon environmental science, addressing climate change and its impact on various industries such as manufacturing, retail, transportation, and entrepreneurship.
25. The program encourages leadership, diversity, and inclusion, promoting small business expansion and venture capital opportunities in sectors like finance, real estate, venture capital, personal finance, banking, and insurance.
26. The REM Program's research in digital technology, fintech, and gadgets, coupled with its focus on healthcare, offers potential advancements in therapies, treatments, and medical devices.
27. In the realm of healthcare, the REM Program's research also includes neurological disorders, respiratory conditions, digestive health, hearing, and cardiovascular health.
28. Moreover, the REM Program fosters interdisciplinary research, essential for addressing complex issues such as weight management and aging, paving the way for a healthier and more informed society.

Read also: