The student wrote a letter thanking the administrators of the RISE program for their support during the fall semester. She took a course on scientific literature that improved her skills in reading research papers, writing annotated bibliographies, and presenting. She also attended seminars that inspired her career goals and helped her prepare for a summer research internship. The various workshops encouraged her to pursue a Ph.D. The experiences through RISE have helped her academically and professionally by teaching scientific concepts and connecting her with experts, motivating her continued research. She looks forward to learning more lab and research methods to be better prepared for future opportunities.

1. December 15, 2011.
To: RISE Program at UPR Cayey
205 Barceló Av., Cayey, Puerto Rico 00736
South Science Bldg. - MMM Room 206
(787) 738-2161, exts. 2173, 2287, 2283, 2285 Fax: (787) 263-6426
From: Angélica M. González Sánchez
UPR Cayey
angelica.gonzalez10@upredu
787-506-3168
Dear professors and administrators of the RISE Program:
During this fall semester, the RISE program has been a very significant part of my
development as a freshman student. That’s why I would like to let you know how the program
has helped me during this time. First of all, throughout this semester I took the Scientific
Literature on Biological Topics course which was definitely a great mean of learning lots of new
concepts and structures of writing commonly used in the scientific field. For example, I learned
how to distinguish between a primary literature article and a review paper, how to properly read
and analyze scientific literature, the correct way of making an annotated bibliography, the citing
method used in Biology, among others. I also got to lose my fear and be more confident on
asking questions to speakers and on giving presentations. Moreover, this course gave me the
opportunity to write my own review paper on a topic of my interest and to present it. This was a
very enriching experience because it made me feel like a real researcher who was presenting the
results of his or her research. Therefore, I think that this experience definitely got me to know a
little bit of the duties of a researcher.
On this fall semester I also went for the first time to several seminars on actual topics of
Science, which resulted very interesting and inspiring for my future career. I also learned a lot by
reading and analyzing the articles that the speakers recommended. I got the great opportunity to
attend several interviews given by some of the speakers as well. This has been a very meaningful
experience because it has gotten me even closer to achieve a summer research internship. On the
other hand, I went to various workshops on topics related to preparing for graduate school, which
really encouraged me to continue working hard to achieve a Ph.D.
I’m very sure that all of these experiences will help me both on my academic career and
on my professional life because they taught me the basis on many scientific terminology and
techniques so that I will be able to apply them further on. They also got me in contact with
experts of different areas of Science, which have enthused myself to follow their path on
achieving a Ph.D. and making research.
That’s why, next semester I expect to learn even more techniques to be a good researcher
and a good candidate for graduate school. Therefore I will like to get to know more about lab and
research methods to be really prepared for my possible summer research internships, which in
turn will give me more experiences to get to graduate school.
Finally I would like to thank all of you, professors and administrators of the RISE
Program, for helping me during all the time I’ve been on the program and for your deep interest
on our success. Keep on with the good work!
Sincerely,
Angélica M. González Sánchez