Arianna Smith
Arianna Smith is a Biotechnology major, conducting research with Dr. Takashi Ueda. Arianna has held leadership roles in the Honors College as an Honors Mentor and Honors House Leader. Arianna is a recipient of the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of South Carolina.
Arianna is an FGCU grad, class of '22, and will attend the University of Florida for her Ph.D.
How did your mentor encourage and foster your research and academic trajectory?
On the first day of my Honors Biology class, I knew I wanted to research with the professor, Dr. Takashi Ueda. Even with just being in his class for one day I knew he had a strong passion for his field and wanted to share that with each and every one of us. Throughout my time working with Dr. Ueda, I have experienced multiple setbacks in my research project. However, every shared victory we have, no matter what size, continues to remind me why I wanted to pursue a career in research as well as a position in mentorship where I can instill my passion in others just as Dr. Ueda did for me.
What does the OCF mean to you?
I can still remember the day my roommate excitedly told me about a new office on campus and the crazy man they hired to run it. The OCF was where dreamers could make their dreams a reality. However, after each failed application, it did not feel like that to me. Between Dr. Terumi and my research mentor, I pushed through more applications and finally landed a REU at the University of South Carolina. The OCF is so much more than an application or winning an award; it is an office of personal development ran by one of the most supportive people I know.
What is the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates?
The National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF REU) provides opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in research through REU sites. At REU sites small groups of students collaborate with faculty and other researchers at a host institution. Arianna’s NSF REU is through the University of South Carolina, where she is involved with the research “Engineering Medical Advances at the Interface of Experiments and Computation.” Arianna is investigating the biomechanics of heart failure with preserve ejection fraction.
