UTSA team visits D.C. to highlight undergraduate research

UTSA representatives Darrell C. Balderrama, Miguel Rivera, Allen Brown-Zubillaga and Jennifer Mendoza met with elected officials in Washington, D.C., to showcase the impact of UTSA's undergraduate research opportunities.

MARCH 14, 2025 — Last week, a team from UTSA joined representatives from 53 other universities to meet with stakeholders and elected officials in Washington, D.C., to showcase the impact of undergraduate research opportunities.

The visit marked the culmination of the 2024-25 Scholars Transforming Through Research (STR) Program, an initiative of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), a national organization dedicated to advancing high-quality mentored undergraduate research, scholarship and creative inquiry.

Representing UTSA in the program were Darrell C. Balderrama, director of undergraduate research, along with McNair Scholars Allen Brown-Zubillaga, Jennifer Mendoza and Miguel Rivera.

“Undergraduate research is a cornerstone of UTSA’s commitment to experiential learning, providing students with hands-on opportunities to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills that are essential for success in the workforce,” said Balderrama, who has supported undergraduate student researchers at UTSA for over 16 years. “Participating in the STR program was incredibly valuable in helping us highlight the importance of undergraduate research in preparing students to be skilled and impactful contributors in their careers.”

“Undergraduate research is more than just an academic experience. It empowers students and shapes the next generation of leaders and researchers.”

Pictured from left to right: Darrell C. Balderrama, Eyole M. Mbongo M.P.A. ’15 (senior legislative assistant to Congressman Joaquin Castro), Miguel Rivera, Allen Brown-Zubillaga and Jennifer Mendoza

Rivera is a junior majoring in chemical engineering. Under the mentorship of UTSA Klesse Endowed Professor and Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Vikram Kapoor, his research focuses on the effects of metal oxide nanoparticles on nitrifying bacteria in soils.

“Undergraduate research is more than just an academic experience,” Rivera said. “It empowers students and shapes the next generation of leaders and researchers. I’m truly grateful to have had this opportunity to represent Texas, stand alongside other passionate scholars, and ensure that our voices are heard.”

Mendoza, a senior in public health, researches the environmental impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aqueous film-forming foam in San Antonio. She gained hands-on experience in environmental health research through a 10-week summer internship with Leanne Fawkes, DrPH, MPH, at the UT School of Public Health San Antonio.

“This was such an unforgettable experience,” Mendoza said. “This program allowed me to advocate on the importance of undergraduate research programs and how they not only shaped my life but have also influenced my daughter’s interest and passion for STEM.”

Brown-Zubillaga, a senior in sociology and member of the UTSA Honors College, was already interning this semester in D.C. at the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University through the Archer Fellowship Program. Last summer, he participated in a summer undergraduate research experience studying the relationship between alcohol use and intimate partner violence under the mentorship of Brandi Scott, a lecturer in the UTSA College of Education and Human Development.

“Being able to represent UTSA and the McNair Scholars Program on Capitol Hill with my peers from all over Texas was an honor,” Brown-Zubillaga said. “I felt like I got to be part of real action-for-change moments in D.C.”

The STR Program is a six-month professional development initiative for undergraduate students and their mentors. Participants learn how to translate their research and effectively convey its impact to policymakers, funding agencies, media and the broader community.

The program began with virtual training in November, covering topics such as policy brief writing and stakeholder engagement strategies. It concluded with an in-person session in Washington, D.C., where participants met with congressional representative staff from the offices of U.S. Senator John Cornyn, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, U.S. Congressman Tony Gonzales and U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro.

UTSA is committed to fostering undergraduate research through initiatives led by the Office of Undergraduate Research and integrated across all colleges. The office connects students with research opportunities and helps them present their work at national and international conferences. Each year, UTSA also participates in National Undergraduate Research Week activities, providing students from all majors a platform to showcase their scholarly and creative work to the university community. This year, UTSA’s Undergraduate Research Week will take place April 14-18.

The university’s involvement in these initiatives underscores its dedication to academic excellence and preparing students for leadership roles through research and innovation.

— KC Gonzalez