Lucero Ramirez Moreno, a first-generation college student from Reno, Nevada, is pursuing a dual bachelor's degree in Spanish and nutrition with a dietetics specialization at the University of Nevada, Reno.
“I was motivated to choose these majors because I wanted to help the community – especially the Spanish-speaking community,” Ramirez Moreno said. “As a Latina, I saw a struggle within my community, especially with nutrition and healthcare.”
After completing her undergraduate degree, Ramirez Moreno aims to pursue a master’s degree in nutrition and is considering a physician assistant program.
“I work at the Office of Admissions and Records, and my role as a student researcher was like a second job,” Ramirez Moreno said. “Working at the University, they understand that school comes first.”
As a first-generation student, Ramirez Moreno is a part of the TRIO Scholars program, which provides support for income-qualified, first-generation students with academic assistance and support necessary to complete a baccalaureate degree.
“The TRIO Scholars program introduced me to the PREP program,” Ramirez Moreno said. “I really do owe it to my TRIO Coach Jarell Green for helping me to get my toes in the water in terms of research experience.”
Lucero Ramirez Moreno poses with students in her ACE 110 class, a course provided by the TRIO Scholars ProgramThe Pack Research Experience Program (PREP) is a research award for first-year or sophomore students to join an existing research project under the guidance of a faculty member.
"The PREP program is designed for students like Lucero who have little or no research experience when they arrive at the University,” Pamela Zeiser, Ph.D., director of Undergraduate Research, said. “It provides first-generation and all students with an early opportunity to explore research during their first or sophomore year by working on a faculty mentor’s project. As they build knowledge and skills, students can progress to more advanced opportunities, such as the Nevada Undergraduate Research Award, where they develop and propose their own research projects.”
Ramirez Moreno worked with Laura Blume, Ph.D., associate professor in the political science department.
"Dr. Blume was wonderful; her experiences and journey have really helped me open doors, and working with her was incredible,” Ramirez Moreno said.
Through PREP, Blume and Ramirez Moreno examined violence against public figures in Central America.
“We looked at general violence against public figures, and the rippling effects on the society in which the violence took place,” Ramirez Moreno said. “For example, if a mayoral candidate was murdered, that would delay elections."
Ramirez Moreno also learned of the violence against land defenders, who are individuals seeking to protect land from commercial exploitation.
“I found the government involvement or possible government involvement to be quite shocking in the killing of land defenders,” she said.
Ramirez Moreno enjoyed doing this research with Blume.
“This was my first time doing research; I didn’t really have previous connections to those involved in research,” she said. “The undergrad PREP program really did help me understand what conducting research is like.”
Ramirez Moreno participated in Wolf Pack Discoveries this spring.
“It was really nerve-wracking for me; I thought no one would want to come and learn about my research,” she said. “But they did come to my station, and it was such a cool experience; a definite stepping stone for my future.”
Wolf Pack Discoveries is a research symposium that celebrates the achievements of student researchers and occurs at the end of each term for the fall, spring and summer.
Discover additional outside grants, resources and opportunities through the Undergraduate Research.
