LSU students Rachael Coates and Cale Locicero were named 2022-23 Astronaut Scholars by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and are LSU’s 13th and 14th recipients of this award.
The scholarship recognizes the best and brightest minds in STEM who show initiative, creativity and excellence in their chosen field. The scholarship provides up to $15,000 in aid while commemorating the legacy of America’s Mercury 7 astronauts, each of whom sponsored and fundraised to establish the current scholarship program.
Coates, an honors biological sciences senior, said that she applied because of her extensive research background at LSU.
“The research I have partaken in has potential for large impacts and a change in the way we think about breast cancer,” Coates said, adding that she has engaged in research at LSU for six years. “In conjunction with my research experience, I think my publications and my experience with Research Ambassadors, an LSU organization that aims to provide undergraduates with opportunities to get involved in research, made me competitive for this award.”
Coates is currently working under Elizabeth Martin, studying the effects of MAPK15 overexpression in triple-negative breast cancer. MAPK15 is an enzyme that is commonly overexpressed in a subset of Black women with triple-negative breast cancer. Her research explores the role MAPK15 overexpression may play in women with this type of triple-negative breast cancer.
Coates is also a part of LSU’s Maximizing Access to Research Careers Program, which provides high-impact research experiences to a diverse pool of undergraduates and prepares them for entry into graduate programs in the biomedical sciences.
As a high school sophomore, she began working with LSU Chemical Engineering Associate Professor Adam Melvin to research the effects of fluid shear stress on tumor cells.
“I would like to thank Dr. Melvin and Dr. Martin for their mentorship before and throughout the process of applying for the Astronaut Scholarship. I’d also like to thank Dr. Fontenot for putting the resources of the Office of Fellowship Advising behind me which led me to be successful in this competition,” Coates said.
Coates has big plans after she graduates from LSU. She will enroll in either a medical scientist training program or pursue a Ph.D. in either cell or cancer biology. Coates’ favorite part of the research she has participated in at LSU has been seeing other students that she has trained become fully functional lab members and scientists.
Coates shared advice to students who are interested in getting involved in research, urging students to stay engaged with their peers.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Coates said. “Research is a constant learning process, and sometimes the simplest questions can create an entire avenue of study.”
Locicero, an honors chemistry senior, performs research in the Chemistry department with the Kartika Group. Locicero said their research centers on the development of new synthetic reactions that can be used in developing pharmaceuticals.
Locicero is also a Louis Stokes Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation Scholar and was also recently selected for the American Chemical Society Scholars program.
Locicero also offered advice to other students who might be interested in getting involved with research projects at LSU.
“My first piece of advice is to find labs that are doing research that interests you,” Locicero said. “After that, read into the research to know what the respective lab’s current research focuses on. Then email the professor and mention specifically what interests you about their research and that you would like to join their group.”
Locicero’s favorite part of his research at LSU has been being able to intellectually contribute to the advancement of science in a tangible way. The scholarship helps give him an opportunity to do that and continue his research at LSU. Locicero said he wants to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry.
“Through my research, I intend to chemically advance biomedical science,” Locicero said.
