Meet Kely Nicole Juan, a UNT undergraduate who is working on her bachelor's degree in chemistry with a minor in biology and a forensic science accreditation. Kely has been interested in forensic science ever since she was thirteen years old and enrolled in her first forensics course in high school to see if it was something she wanted to pursue as a future career.

"On the first day of that class, we analyzed the relationship between the public understanding of forensics and crime shows depictions, called the CSI effect. I recognized my lack of awareness of how education, socioeconomic factors, and identity affected relationships with the criminal justice system," she said. "To further my understanding, I learned how to read crime scene layouts, make models from books, and observe microscopic data to further my studies after high school. I earned a certificate in Medical Forensics and a professional award highlighting my aptitude and growth."

Since then, Kely has also obtained her Criminal Justice Forensic Science Technician certificate and an associate degree. This is her first official semester at UNT after transferring from Dallas College, though she participated in a REU at UNT over the summer with funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This allowed her to get to know the Chemistry Education Research (CER) lab she now works with under the guidance of Dr. Molly Atkinson.

"Our research aims to analyze structures for transferring students from two-year to four-year institutions, highlighting the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and Latine students pursuing chemistry and STEM degrees," Kely said. 'The goal is to use evidence collected at all stakeholder levels to make equitable changes to better support transfer at two institutions, Dallas College and the University of North Texas."

For their current project, the group interviewed 35 students to understand their transfer experiences and analyzed the data using the Four Frames for Systemic Change theoretical framework and Garcia's Hispanic-Servingness framework. Kely's research focuses on students' understanding and awareness of specialized degrees and programs during the transfer process.

"A lot of our research involves talking to fellow students and trying to find a way to represent their experiences accurately," said Kely. "The end goal of this project is to enact the change students want and need, while taking into consideration the structures maneuvered by faculty and staff. Although we have not reached this point of the data it will be one of our main goals for spring 2024."

Kely was one of several UNT students who attended the most recent SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) conference in Portland, which she says was a major milestone for her:

"Going to the conference was full of many first-time experiences. I had never traveled outside of Texas before, except for occasional day trips to Oklahoma with my family. It was also my first time traveling by plane and attending a research conference. I'm extremely grateful to my research team for helping me navigate these new experiences.

"Arriving at the conference, I was filled with immense pride and a sense of belonging. The event was attended by a lot of undergraduate researchers who looked like me and shared the same "big picture" dreams I did. It's hard to put into words how healing and rejuvenating it felt to be among them. I had the opportunity to interact with researchers with different experiences, goals, and backgrounds, and even made some long-lasting friends during my trip. I am eager to see where many of my peers will be in just a few years."

Kely, who has already received several scholarships and awards at UNT, including the SURPA Award, Transfer Excellence Scholarship, and Undergraduate Research Fellowship Award, was excited to receive recognition for her research poster (titled "Assessment of Current Support for Chemistry Students Transferring from Two- to Four-Year Institutions") on the last day of the SACNAS conference.

"As the names of poster presentation award winners were announced, I eagerly waited to hear if my name would be called. Our team's category, STEM Education, was announced as the final category. To my surprise, my name was called," she said. "I was stunned. To me, it was a validation of our team's hard work."

Kely collaborates heavily with fellow undergraduate students Darien Garza-Lund and Marian Martinez, who are working on different aspects of the team's research. Their primary mentors are Drs. Molly Atkinson, Adriana Corrales, and Rebecca Weber.

"I am lucky to have such a patient, welcoming, and knowledgeable team who all bring their own experiences to the table. I look forward to continuing learning from them," said Kely, who plans to graduate in 2025 and continue her education by pursuing crime lab experience and a PhD.

Kely said the most rewarding aspect of her UNT experience so far has been finding community, especially with other students who want to do forensic science. She looks forward to continuing work that promotes inclusion and equity in STEM and higher education.

Dr. Atkinson's CER group will be presenting their posters in person on campus at UNT Scholars Day this spring. For more information about their research, please visit: https://mollyatkinson92.wixsite.com/atkinson