Recent Headlines
Mighty Oak Monday: Gaby Wemple
Major 1: Sustainable Resources Management, master's degree
Hometown: Delmar, NY
Gaby Wemple wants to support more BIPOC students pursuing degrees in environmental science.
Over the years, she's been involved with CSTEP (Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program) and LSAMP (Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation), both of which are programs designed to support and increase the number of underrepresented students pursuing STEM degrees. Through her participation, she's seen many students thrive, but others whose initial sparks of excitement for science start to dim or go out completely for any number of reasons:
- "I can't take an unpaid internship over a job."
- "I've got too much going on at home and can't focus."
- "I just don't feel like I belong in science."
Gaby believes that anyone who has an interest in the environmental field should have the opportunity and support to pursue careers in the field; there is both a need for their expertise and plenty of work to do. It's why she's focusing on barriers and supporting factors for BIPOC students for her master's thesis.
"I'm passionate about science support programs because they work," she said. "Programs like CSTEP gave me confidence."
As part of her research, Gaby will be interviewing LSAMP students to understand how programming can be better set up to help students achieve their environmental career goals. The insights will help guide the creation of inclusive and science-driven public policy. She also learns firsthand from the students she mentors through LSAMP, 18 of whom she supported through a two-week summer bridge program. She currently serves as the LSAMP Graduate Assistant.
Gaby plans to complete her master's thesis by December 2023. Thank you for the work you're doing to improve your world, Gaby!