Mexico's David Rach Receives UW's INBRE Transition Scholarship

David Rach received some valuable laboratory research experience at Northwest College. The INBRE Transition Scholarship he received from the University of Wyoming will allow him to probe further, this time in the area of molecular biology.

“The INBRE Transition Scholarship means a lot to me personally because conducting INBRE research at Northwest College not only allowed me to pursue my passion supported by faculty, but to delve deeper into other areas of biology and chemistry I had never experienced,” says Rach, who originally hails from Comitan, Mexico. “It is because of this experience that I choose to major in molecular biology, and I am excited that I will be able to conduct undergraduate research with INBRE at UW.”

Rach, who recently received his associate of science degree in natural resources biology from Northwest College, is one of seven students from Wyoming’s community colleges who received INBRE Transition Scholarships to study and conduct research at UW this fall.

UW’s IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program awards INBRE Transition Scholarships to outstanding life science students from Wyoming's community colleges where INBRE-sponsored research is conducted. For two years, students receive up to $2,500 each semester to pursue degrees and receive training in UW research laboratories.

After their first semester, students join a UW faculty member's lab, where they will conduct research for the remainder of their degree programs.

“Since I also am putting myself through college entirely on financial aid, the scholarship component really helps as I work to complete my bachelor’s degree before going to graduate school,” Rach says.

UW is one of 22 institutions funded by the National Institutes for Health INBRE Program. INBRE funding is intended to enhance biomedical research capacity; expand and strengthen the research capabilities of biomedical faculty; and provide access to biomedical resources for promising undergraduate students throughout the eligible states.

Other students who received the scholarship include:

Cody -- Wyatt Fabrizio, Northwest College.

Conrad, Mont. -- Rachel Lamb, Central Wyoming College.

Kinnear -- Russell Goff, Central Wyoming College.

Riverton -- Tyler Graham, Central Wyoming College.

Rock Springs -- Anne Salisbury, Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College.

Rock Springs -- Brent Rhodes, Western Wyoming Community College.