December 15, 2011.

To: RISE Program at UPR Cayey

205 Barceló Av., Cayey, Puerto Rico 00736

South Science Bldg. - MMM Room 206

(787) 738-2161, exts. 2173, 2287, 2283, 2285 Fax: (787) 263-6426

From: Angélica M. González Sánchez

UPR Cayey

angelica.gonzalez10@upredu

787-506-3168

Dear professors and administrators of the RISE Program:

During this fall semester, the RISE program has been a very significant part of my

development as a freshman student. That’s why I would like to let you know how the program

has helped me during this time. First of all, throughout this semester I took the Scientific

Literature on Biological Topics course which was definitely a great mean of learning lots of new

concepts and structures of writing commonly used in the scientific field. For example, I learned

how to distinguish between a primary literature article and a review paper, how to properly read

and analyze scientific literature, the correct way of making an annotated bibliography, the citing

method used in Biology, among others. I also got to lose my fear and be more confident on

asking questions to speakers and on giving presentations. Moreover, this course gave me the

opportunity to write my own review paper on a topic of my interest and to present it. This was a

very enriching experience because it made me feel like a real researcher who was presenting the

results of his or her research. Therefore, I think that this experience definitely got me to know a

little bit of the duties of a researcher.

On this fall semester I also went for the first time to several seminars on actual topics of

Science, which resulted very interesting and inspiring for my future career. I also learned a lot by

reading and analyzing the articles that the speakers recommended. I got the great opportunity to

attend several interviews given by some of the speakers as well. This has been a very meaningful

experience because it has gotten me even closer to achieve a summer research internship. On the

other hand, I went to various workshops on topics related to preparing for graduate school, which

really encouraged me to continue working hard to achieve a Ph.D.

I’m very sure that all of these experiences will help me both on my academic career and

on my professional life because they taught me the basis on many scientific terminology and

techniques so that I will be able to apply them further on. They also got me in contact with

experts of different areas of Science, which have enthused myself to follow their path on

achieving a Ph.D. and making research.

That’s why, next semester I expect to learn even more techniques to be a good researcher

and a good candidate for graduate school. Therefore I will like to get to know more about lab and

research methods to be really prepared for my possible summer research internships, which in

turn will give me more experiences to get to graduate school.

Finally I would like to thank all of you, professors and administrators of the RISE

Program, for helping me during all the time I’ve been on the program and for your deep interest

on our success. Keep on with the good work!

Sincerely,

Angélica M. González Sánchez