The U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE) is funding a grant thay will be sending five University of Guam students to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Washington. The internship will be a 10-week immersive experience during the summer.

Their internships are the result of a partnership between the University of Guam and PNNL and funding from the U.S. DOE through the Basic Energy Sciences, Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (BES-RENEW) grant.

The grant fosters mentoring to undergraduate students in their pursuit of a career in STEM-related fields.

UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez said, “We have advanced our ecosystem of support for student researchers, with faculty providing mentorship and pathways to internship opportunities…We have scientists in the making at UOG, and, along with our future nurses, teachers, accountants, social workers, and engineers, and others, they will one day become part of our professional workforce on the island and region to support renewable energy and other STEM-related innovative solutions.”

Dr. Pamela Peralta, Interim Vice Provost, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs who also is the Director of Contracts and Grants at UOG, said the students will receive hands-on training while they learn about cutting-edge scientific research and technology.

“They will be learning alongside PNNL's great minds in renewable and clean energy and will bring back home their knowledge about climate change and sustainable energy,” said Dr. Peralta.

A UOG Chemistry Professor, Dr. John Limtiaco said, “These students will learn important research and laboratory skills while making lasting personal and professional connections.” He also honed his knowledge about renewable energy at PNNL last summer.

The five UOG students come from different backgrounds in their pursuit of a STEM education.

Hallie Hainrik is a freshman biology major who works with the 4H Program at UOG and finds joy in sharing science with kindergarten to 12th grade students.

Irish Fontanilla, a sophomore working on a pre-med track, said she will use the internship experience to help her define her career goals.

Cassandra Paule, a junior pursuing a dual major in biology-chemistry, aspires to work in the renewable energy field.

Tristan Pajela, a senior studying civil engineering, wants to incorporate the fields of engineering and alternative energy in his future career.

Brandon Respicio, a senior pursuing a bachelor’s in education, wants to learn more about mathematics and programming in data analysis to solve real-world problems.