{"id":63484,"date":"2024-06-25T16:45:54","date_gmt":"2024-06-25T20:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/?p=63484"},"modified":"2024-06-25T18:05:19","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T22:05:19","slug":"emma-myer-medina-24-is-driven-by-curiosity-and-discovery-her-path-as-an-inaugural-textile-pioneer-scholar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/2024\/06\/emma-myer-medina-24-is-driven-by-curiosity-and-discovery-her-path-as-an-inaugural-textile-pioneer-scholar\/","title":{"rendered":"Emma Myer-Medina \u201924 is Driven by Curiosity and Discovery: Her Path as an Inaugural Textile Pioneer Scholar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
When it comes to excelling in science, chemistry and biology, Emma Myer-Medina has always been a natural. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Given her innate talent, it was no surprise to friends and family when she found her perfect fit in the Wilson College of Textiles\u2019 polymer and color chemistry program<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This specialized major opened Myer-Medina\u2019s eyes to future career pathways in textiles, medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics and \u2014 most importantly \u2014 research. While on campus, she dove headfirst into academia after accepting an undergraduate researcher<\/a> position in Assistant Professor Januka Budhathoki-Uprety\u2019s lab. Through multiple in-lab experiments and hands-on exploration, Myer-Medina\u2019s research examines the structure-property relationship between polymers and dyes. A passion for volunteerism led Myer-Medina to another significant campus memory: serving as the volunteer coordinator for NC State\u2019s Feed the Pack Food Pantry<\/a> \u2014 a student-led food pantry open to all members of the campus community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a first-generation college graduate, Myer-Medina proudly credits her Glen Raven Textile Pioneer Scholarship for empowering her to make the most of her college experience and to apply for graduate school programs this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDonor support has given me the confidence to continue my education,\u201d says Myer-Medina, a Belhaven, North Carolina, native. \u201cBecause of this generous donation from Glen Raven, I have had more time to explore my interests in research and give back to my community through volunteering.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI will always carry the research skills I\u2019ve learned with me as I move forward in my career,\u201d the 2024 graduate explains. \u201cI have learned so many personal and professional lessons from both my professors and my classmates that I will carry with me as I go through life. This was not something that I had ever pictured I would be able to do, especially as an undergraduate!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n