Welcome to the inaugural post of the Green Halo Voices blog! We’re excited to kick things off by catching up with one of our scholars, Abena Yeboah, who’s entering her second year at the College of DuPage.
This summer, Abena embarked on an exciting research project at North Central College under the guidance of her mentor, Dr. Ruthig. She delved into the study of saprolegnia, commonly known as water mold, a waterborne pathogen that infects amphibians and other invertebrates in aquatic environments. Think of it like a cold bug for frogs!
Over an intensive 8-week period, Abena collected and tested samples from 10 ponds in DuPage county, exposing water mold to different concentrations of nitrates to understand their correlation. She loved this research opportunity, which reaffirmed her passion for the STEM field.
In addition to her research, Abena took on the role of an orientation leader at College of DuPage. Drawn initially by the scholarship opportunity, she found herself eager to ensure every student felt included and seen. After rigorous training, she feels prepared to support others and is looking forward to meeting her mentee, who could be an international student or a high school graduate.
Abena is also gearing up to volunteer as a tutor starting September 26th. She will be dedicating her time from 4:30pm-8pm once a week to help students ranging from pre-K through high school, as well as adults pursuing their GED, primarily in the Math department.
Abena’s story is a testament to the power of exploration, mentorship, and giving back. As she continues her journey, we’re excited to see where her passion for learning takes her next.
Stay tuned for more stories from our Green Halo Scholars!
