Dr. Gomillion and members of the Gomillion lab are committed to integrating their research activities with service and educational activities to ensure broad dissemination of their work in an effort to enhance the recruitment and retention of students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). We believe in engaging the broader community to introduce various populations to biomedical science and research. We have actively engaged in campus/community activities such as hosting tours for students and teachers from local K-12 schools in Clarke and Hart County, participating in the College of Engineering E-day/E-week events, and other regional events, such as “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day”. In addition to these activities, we also participate in the following:
ESTEEMED
Working with collaborators Dr. Karen Burg and Dr. Angela Birkes, Dr. Gomillion comprises the PI team that led the UGA ESTEEMED program. The ESTEEMED program aimed to “support educational activities that enhance the biomedical research workforce through early preparation for undergraduate students in STEM fields”, with UGA ESTEEMED designed to prepare well-rounded students majoring in STEM disciplines for biomedical research careers in academia or industry.
Peach State LSAMP
UGA was the lead institution for the Peach State LSAMP program, a collaborative effort of 6 colleges and universities in Georgia. The mission of this program was to increase the number of students pursuing degrees in STEM. Dr. Gomillion engaged in supporting campus activities and students, including participating in panel discussions and a research “speed-dating”-style event as part of recruitment of students for undergraduate research. From these events, a number of students joined the Gomillion lab to conduct research projects. Dr. Gomillion also traveled to Uganda with 3 students as a co-mentor for an undergraduate summer research project focused on sustainable solutions for developing countries with colleague, Dr. Kisaalita.
National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU)
The UGA College of Engineering is home to the NSF-supported NanoBIO REU. This program provides an interdisciplinary research experience at the interface of nanotechnology and biomedicine to undergraduate students over a ten-week period during the summer. In addition to presenting seminars during the professional development lunch seminars, we have been pleased to host a number of students in this program each summer. Past NanoBIO REU participants include:
National Science Foundation Cell Manufacturing Technologies Engineering Research Center (NSF CMaT)
UGA is a partner institution with Georgia Tech, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez for the CMaT Engineering Research Center. This center aims to develop strategies for developing robust and scalable processes for production of therapeutic cells. An essential component of CMaT’s overall mission is workforce development and engagement in diversity and inclusion initiatives. As part of these efforts is the Research Experiences and Mentoring (REM) program where faculty and student participants from our local technical college, Athens Tech, have engaged in a research experience and mentoring activities. In addition, the CMaT REU program supports summer research experiences for undergraduates focused on cell manufacturing topics.
UGA Young Dawgs Program
The UGA Young Dawgs Program is a high school internship program designed to prepare high-achieving high school juniors and seniors for post-secondary education and future careers in their areas of interest. Students accepted into the program participate in internships on campus–in placements throughout the university–as well as in the community. We have been pleased to become a part of this program, and look forward to hosting students conducting research in our lab.
Gomillion Lab 