KINGSTON, R.I., — Oct. 22, 2018 — University of Rhode Island senior Tailynn McCarty spent her summer at the Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology) in Atlanta, conducting bioengineering research.

This was no ordinary research for the chemical engineering major on the pharmaceutical track, as she investigated mouse embryonic stem cells, MCF-7 breast cancer cells and more. That experience led her to an exciting realization.

“There were days when I spent more than 12 hours in the lab. I never lost my focus or felt the need to complain. This confirmed that I was working in a field that I love,” said the Providence, native.

The exceptional opportunity was presented to her by Charles Watson, assistant director of diversity in the College of Engineering.

“Charles Watson informs students about opportunities like this regularly. However, this one caught my eye because Georgia Tech is number one on my grad school list,” McCarty says.

Watson wasn’t the only one who supported her internship experience. At Georgia Tech, McCarty worked closely with Hang Lu and her graduate mentor, Seleipiri Charles.

“My experience would not have been the same without my graduate mentor. She’s a strong and intelligent black woman who became a role model to me. I learned so much from her during my short time there.”

McCarty also worked closely with other students who were interested in the same kind of work.

“There were students from Puerto Rico, California, New Jersey, Georgia, New York, Michigan, so many places. It was amazing to see all different kinds of students connecting through one research project,” McCarty said.

As she approaches graduation in May, McCarty says, “I hope to attend graduate school and receive a Ph.D. After graduate school, I hope to develop cost-effective therapeutics for chronic conditions.”

This press release was written by Josh Reyes, a public relations major and intern at the URI Department of Marketing and Communications.