Wharton County Junior College student Brenton Beck of Missouri City will conduct research at Rice University this summer as part of the Research Experiences for Undergrads (REU) program.
WHARTON, TEXAS — For the third year in a row, Wharton County Junior College students will spend part of their summer conducting scientific research through Rice University’s BioNetworks Research Experiences for Undergrads (REU) program. This summer, Brenton Beck of Missouri City and Maxwell Hartman of Eagle Lake will work in the labs of Rice University professors to learn more about bacteria, viruses and research methodology.
“Brenton’s and Max’s acceptance into an elite undergraduate research program not only reflects their dedication and accomplishments, but also affirms that WCJC’s curriculum model is providing the academic rigor and preparation that our students — and our community — expect,” said Jennifer Mahlmann, Biology Department Head for WCJC. “As faculty, this is why we teach — to prepare students academically so they can competitively pursue their collegiate and career goals.”
Beck attends WCJC’s Sugar Land campus and is mentored by WCJC Instructor of Biology Dr. Ben Johnson.
“I am very excited for this opportunity for Brenton,” Johnson said. “I am pleased with is commitment to both understand his scientific studies as well as further his education by participating in cutting-edge research at Rice University.”
Beck will graduate from WCJC later this week and plans to study public health at Texas A&M University with the hopes of becoming a physician. During the REU program, he will work under the tutelage of a Rice professor and focus on the biotechnological applications of bacterial toxins.
“I am very excited,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in these topics and look forward to learning all I can.”
Hartman is a biology major and attends WCJC’s Wharton campus. He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and eventually work in a research lab. WCJC Instructor of Biology Dr. Joseph Reeve said Hartman has demonstrated a keen interest in classroom topics.
“It was apparent that Max was a standout student from the start,” Reeve said. “It was a pleasure seeing his interest in the biological sciences develop over the course of the semester. The (REU program) will be a wonderful opportunity for him to experience science in action and further refine his future education and career goals as he takes his next steps.”
Hartman said the summer program will be beneficial not only for deepening his understanding of scientific topics but also for expanding his career opportunities down the road.
“I expect it will be an extremely valuable opportunity and is a good way to get your foot in the door,” he said. “It’s an amazing opportunity.”
Beck and Hartman will be housed on the Rice University campus in Houston and earn a stipend during the REU program, which lasts from May 26 to Aug. 1. The program is funded by the National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences.
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