ABINGTON, Pa.— Two Penn State Abington students are boosting their own professional skills while helping peers get started with faculty-mentored research, a cornerstone of the Abington Experience that builds in-demand skills to help increase job offers, salaries and long-term success.
Jonathan Alavez Reyes and Anvarjon Nematov serve as undergraduate research ambassadors, guiding students as they discover opportunities and sharing their experiences with faculty-mentored research, also known as Abington College Undergraduate Research Activities (ACURA). The pair visit classrooms and host events to help students connect with faculty mentors, offer guidance on developing research topics and presentation skills.
“The mentor-mentee relationship in research is very personal and meaningful,” said Alavez Reyes, a third-year computer science major. “It’s often a one-on-one connection where you can share your passions, learn deeply from your mentor’s experience and build a professional relationship that can open many doors for your future.”
During his first year at Abington, Alavez Reyes said he noticed faculty and students collaborating on research and reached out to learn more. The professor supported his robotics and image recognition project, and during his second year, he shifted to exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) could improve communication self-efficacy skills.
His projects advance his professional interests in AI, machine learning and technology that positively impacts lives. He plans to leverage his research and leadership experiences to grow as a developer, solving challenges in defense, enterprise and emerging tech spaces.
“The undergraduate research experience was something I never expected to be involved in, but it has truly transformed my life and shaped my career goals,” he continued.
Nematov, a fourth-year biology major, began with a project on radio astronomy and later turned to organic chemistry.
“As a research ambassador, I’m excited to share my journey and help other students explore research opportunities,” said Nematov, who wants to pursue a career in dermatology with a clinical research focus.
Research guided by faculty and leadership roles like serving as undergraduate research ambassadors fulfill two pillars of the Abington Experience — a roadmap from campus to career for every student. Internships and short-term academic travel round out the initiative, providing students with skills and professional connections in the Philadelphia region and beyond.
The University’s Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring office selected Alavez Reyes and Nematov as undergraduate research ambassadors at Abington.
About Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington, home to nearly 3,000 students and just minutes from Philadelphia, offers 26 four-year majors and 14 NCAA Division III athletics teams. The Abington Experience launches students from campus to career through internships, leadership development, short-term academic travel, and faculty-led research. Penn State Abington — where the city’s energy meets the best of the suburbs.