{"id":63484,"date":"2024-06-25T16:45:54","date_gmt":"2024-06-25T20:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/?p=63484"},"modified":"2024-07-03T14:19:07","modified_gmt":"2024-07-03T18:19:07","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.

\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

\"Emma
Emma Myer-Medina’s love for hands-on chemistry exploration led her to become an undergraduate researcher at the Wilson College of Textiles. Last year, she proudly presented her findings at NC State\u2019s Summer Research Symposium. In this photo, Myer-Medina (left) and Assistant Professor Januka Budhathoki-Uprety were hard at work in the lab.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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