Carolina Noriega’s journey from a small town student to a Ph.D. mentor is a testament to the transformative power of opportunity and mentorship. Starting as an 11th grader from Douglas, Arizona, she stepped into the world of scientific research through the KEYS Research Internship at the BIO5 Institute in 2018, a program that left a lasting impact on her educational path.
Today, Noriega is a Ph.D. student specializing in human development and family sciences, focusing on the psychological wellbeing of Hispanic/Latinx adolescents. Her research journey can be traced back to that pivotal summer with KEYS, where she first engaged in hands-on scientific exploration.
“As a student from a small town with no laboratory facilities and technologies that they have here at the U of A, I was very new to everything,” Noriega shared, reflecting on her initial experiences.
The KEYS program, celebrating its 20th anniversary, offers a seven-week summer internship, providing high school students the chance to work on real-world scientific projects. During her time as a KEYS intern, Noriega joined the lab of Patricia Stock at the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences. There, she delved into advanced microbiology, studying soil-dwelling roundworms that utilize bacteria to eliminate insects.
Noriega, initially unfamiliar with such complex subjects, quickly adapted with the help of mentors and program alumni. Her newfound knowledge culminated in the creation of a research poster detailing her project’s background, methodology, and findings.
“I remember showing the poster to a KEYS crew member who was working with me, and they were like, ‘Oh my god, this is so great!’ I was jumping with joy,” Noriega recalled.
From Introvert to Public Speaker
Noriega’s time at KEYS not only honed her research skills but also transformed her from a reserved student into a confident public speaker. The experience of presenting her poster publicly was a significant milestone. “When I showcased my poster to the public at the end of the KEYS program, I didn’t believe what I just did at that time,” she said.
After completing high school, Noriega pursued biology at Cochise College before returning to the University of Arizona as an undergraduate in the Department of Psychology. She joined the SuRRF lab, which focuses on social risk and resilience factors, and developed an interest in questionnaire-based studies.
Though her research focus shifted, the scientific literacy gained during KEYS proved invaluable. “There were so many lab meetings where new research concepts were introduced to me, and I was like, ‘Oh, I know that.’ Undergrads wouldn’t necessarily know about mediation or moderation, for example,” Noriega noted.
Back Where It Started
Now, Noriega returns to KEYS as a mentor for the fourth year. In her role, she evaluates interns’ assignments and assists in planning social events to foster community among participants. “As a KEYS staff member, I’m able to learn how to mentor other interns, learn how to talk to and motivate them,” Noriega explained. “Most importantly, I love teaching other students, which is something I hope to take with me into my Ph.D. program.”
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