The McNair Voice

The McNair Voice is pleased to feature Dr. Rihana Williams Smith in this edition’s Faculty Spotlight. Dr. Williams Smith, Assistant Professor of Psychology, came to Georgia State University in 2006. She completed her undergraduate studies at Spelman College and earned her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Williams Smith has published her research in numerous scholarly journals. Last year, she mentored McNair Scholar, Salamatu Barrie, in a research project investigating the effects of context on reading comprehension in college readers. Not only did Dr. Williams Smith see the project through to its completion, she also accompanied Salamatu to the conferences (i.e., the 16^th Annual National McNair Research Conference and Graduate Fair & the Southeastern Psychological Association Conference), where Salamatu presented the results.

We are delighted to highlight our scholars who have been accepted to graduate school. Arlyne has been accepted into two graduate programs: Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, and Ph.D. in Macromolecular Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Both institutions have offered her a full tuition scholarship, health benefits, and a stipend.

Arlyne’s current research interests include biomaterial design and synthesis and macromolecular drug delivery systems. Arlyne received her first research experience through the Ronald E. McNair Program. She paired with a bio-organic chemist, Dr. Z. Huang, and assisted in research on the development of a novel mechanism to incorporate selenium into nucleic acid analogs.

Arlyne says that, through the McNair program, she was able to present this research at the McNair Research Conference at the University of Maryland, College Park. Arylne is also affiliated with the Georgia Institute of Technology, where, for the past two years, she has been conducting research in the field of green engineering and biotechnology with Dr. R. Chen. Aiming to increase the efficiency of bioethanol production, the research team has been particularly interested in genetically engineering Escherichia coli and Zymomonas mobilis such that they are capable of efficiently degrading cellulose and hemicellulose.

Arlyne remains actively involved in the Georgia State University McNair Program. She attends monthly meetings with her McNair mentor, whom she says motivated her to succeed in her classes. She also attends numerous workshops and seminars that she credits for giving her insight into the rewards of receiving a Ph.D. and the necessary steps for a winning graduate school application.

Arlyne has the following pieces of advice for the current and future McNair scholars to successfully navigate the arduous application process:

1. Start researching graduate schools and applying to graduate institutions at least one year in advance;
2. Take the GRE as early as your junior year. Scores are valid up to five years, so taking the exam early allows you more time to focus on the application process in your senior year;
3. Apply to at least seven schools;
4. Request recommendation letters at least three months in advance;
5. Write, edit, and re-edit your personal statement, and tailor it to each graduate program to which you are applying.