PhD Student and Research Mentor with a Chemistry Background

Melaan B.

Hello! My name is Melaan and I'm currently studying environmental sciences as a PhD candidate at Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge. I completed my Master's degree in environmental sciences as well. During the first part of my graduate studies, my thesis research focused on radiation chemistry and computational modeling; but my overall academic background is in general chemistry.

Currently, I serve as a high school research project mentor through the nationally recognized EnvironMentors program, where I work with local high school students on year-long projects. In this role, I help students develop their own independent research projects, and provide one-on-one support in idea development, experimental design, data analysis, and final presentation.

In my time spent with EnvironMentors, I’ve learned to adapt my guidance to each student’s learning style and experience level, so that my protégé can build both a general understanding of environmental sciences that are relevant to our region, and also gain confidence in their science communication skills. My fellow mentors and I encourage the real-world application of scientific principles through hands-on experiments and activities that keep our students engaged and curious about the world around us. Through the years, I’ve been able to strengthen my ability to break down more complex scientific concepts into manageable, student-friendly explanations.

As someone who has been in the STEM field since 2017, I know how challenging the sciences can sometimes be, and I welcome any opportunity to provide assistant for students or parents alike to best advance throughout their educational journeys. So, if you think I could be of service, please contact me to schedule lessons!