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<\/a>Pajarillo, a senior cell and molecular biology major, has been involved in various feminist and community-building programs at 溏心vlog免费B站, but says being a NIH-MARC-U*STAR trainee is her proudest accomplishment. NIH-Marc-U* STAR stands for the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR). It is a research and professional development program supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)\/ National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) for undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds<\/a>. As a MARC-U*STAR trainee, she mentored students, hosted panels, presented research at diverse conferences, and helped underrepresented students succeed in higher education. As a part of her Coronavirus research study, Pajarillo collected nasal and saliva samples at the 溏心vlog免费B站 Mobile Health Unit, which was located in a predominantly-Hispanic community in Pawtucket. Through her work, she learned that several community members were unaware of the severity of COVID-19. She reached out to marginalized communities to explain the testing process and educated people about the virus in Spanish.<\/p>\n Moreover, as the president of CELS (College of the Environment and Life Sciences) Seeds of Success, Pajarillo encouraged black, Indigenous and people of color undergraduate students to apply for summer research internships, hosted STEM panels to discuss science as an inclusive field, and inspired the community to combat the stigma of underrepresented people in academia. A mental health advocate, she also raised more than $21,000 through a GoFundMe campaign for the family of her friend who died by suicide. “Bringing awareness, persuasion, empathy and listening are the aspects of leadership that I feel need to be reinforced in the community,” said Pajarillo. “Whichever role I am in, I always try to understand what they other person is trying to express, what their concerns and goals are, and try to figure out how I can positively impact their situation.”<\/span> <\/p>\n Employee Excellence Award recipient: James Cocozza \u201822<\/p>\n Pharmacy major, James Cocozza, credits being a Resident Assistant for more than 5 years and the president of the Housing and Residential Life Community Leadership Board for teaching him what true leadership is about. Cocozza has been nominated for a Rainville award for five consecutive years. Cocozza helped create, organize and present training for more than 100 hundred student and professional staff. Under his leadership, the leadership board became a vehicle that allowed RAs to express their concerns and speak about issues they wanted to be addressed. \u201cJames\u2019 true strength is in his ability to care for others and to forget about himself while doing that,\u201d said Wesley Cabral \u201821, chair of the diversity council for the residence council. \u201cHe is constantly encouraging the students within his residence halls and the RA community to push past their limits and make the environment safe and inspiring, while taking on one of the most difficult majors ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>