Some community college minority students were recruited this summer for a 10-week campus biology research program to work with ongoing UA research.

The Biology Bridge Program, in its fourth year, recruits students from community colleges to participate in research at the University of Arizona.

The goal of the program is to increase the number of minority students enrolling in science at four-year colleges, said Carol Bender, program director for the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.

In a grant proposal that Bender prepared to get the program's funding, she states that minorities are underrepresented in the fields of biological science and chemistry. The number of doctorates for minorities increased from 2.4 percent to 3.7 percent, even though by the year 2000, with one-third of the minorities entering the work force.

"I considered the program because I thought it would be interesting and exciting to research at a university," said Keithetta Begay, who conducted research on brain tissue bumps related to language disorders. "Once I got involved, it was not as intimidating as I thought it would be."

The expectation is that once community college students get a taste of research, they will seek out four-year institutions where they can continue to participate in research, Bender said.

Celeste Willhite, who worked in the Pharmacology and Toxicology lab on the supplementation of Beta-Carotene, said the program raised her interest because of the opportunity to explore a field of research.

"I enjoyed working in the labs," she said. "I learned about techniques of research and how to use different kinds of machines. I think research is something I would like to pursue."

Bender said the hands-on lab experience instills confidence in the students so they can succeed at a four-year institution.

Students eligible for the program must have a minority status and attend Pima Community College, Navajo Community College or San Juan Community College, Bender said.

Biology Bridge students receive housing, food supplements and are paid $5.40 an hour while working in the labs full time, Bender said.

She also said students earn four undergraduate credit hours, and are required to present research findings at an oral presentation and by writing a final paper.