Record 48 students earn travel grants

The 27-year-old Guerrero began his time at UNG pursuing a degree in music before switching to nursing. While taking his prerequisites for nursing, he discovered a love for a chemistry before switching into his current degree path.

His CURCA travel grant is the latest funding he has secured to support his education. Guerrero has also earned scholarships from the American Chemical Society, McNair Scholars Program, and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholars (STEMS) Program funded by the National Science Foundation.

Guerrero previously thought graduate school was unattainable, but now he is preparing to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry.

"I've been extremely well-supported by the chemistry faculty here," he said.

Lillie Hayes, a senior from Johns Creek, Georgia, pursuing a degree in biology, and her fellow student Laura Kate Gleaton each received a CURCA travel grant to present their research at The Wildlife Society's Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, held Oct. 19-23.

Hayes and Gleaton's research was a trail camera study testing which bait were attractive to animals. Hayes, who is a member of the Honors Program and served as a CURCA ambassador for 2023-24, has also taken part in CURCA's Faculty Undergraduate Summer Engagement program in 2023 and the Fulbright Canada Mitacs Globalink program in summer 2024.

"CURCA has been instrumental in my process of getting involved in research," Hayes said. "I've had so many great research experiences at UNG."

Hayes has been accepted to Mercer University School of Medicine, where she will enroll in August. Her main medical interests are in hematology and oncology, which involve blood and cancer disorders. Volunteer experiences at Good News Clinics in Gainesville, Georgia, and the Community Helping Place's Anne Green Free Clinic in Dahlonega, Georgia, and volunteer stints alongside hospice and oncology professionals have helped her realize her passions.

"I enjoyed that clinical experience and interacting with patients," Hayes said. "It's so interesting and fits my personality type."