Biology student thrives at Weslaco research center

Making significant strides toward his dream career in scientific research, South Texas College (STC) student Issac Cazares recently secured a prestigious internship at the Texas A&M Kingsville Weslaco Citrus Center and was awarded an Empowering Future Agricultural Scientists (EFAS) scholarship.

“I can’t believe that I get the privilege of working at the Citrus Center and that I’m an EFAS recipient. It’s been an incredibly eye-opening experience,” Cazares said. “Since I can remember, I was always interested in science and eventually grew passionate about research, but I never thought I’d get to be in a lab extracting DNA from citrus leaves to help detect infections.”

Cazares, a Donna native set to graduate from STC in fall 2024, dove into his role as an intern this summer by assisting with studies of Huanglongbing (HLB), a devastating disease threatening the global citrus industry.

Cazares said it is STC’s Biology Department that prepared him for the critical task of testing DNA extractions to test for HLB, which is critical because of the disease’s prevalence in the industry.

Initially unsure about his path after graduating from Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (PSJA) Thomas Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School in 2023, Cazares pursued an associate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at STC until discovering the SEA-PHAGES honors biology course.

STC’s SEA-PHAGES course is an honors class where students conduct research on viral species that attack bacteria. Students gain a unique opportunity by getting research experience, achieving academic excellence and collaborating as young professionals.

“The SEA-PHAGES course was a turning point for me. It brought me clarity to move forward in declaring Biology as my major,” Cazares said. “The program also prepared me for this internship because it gave a solid foundation in laboratory skills and more so, my instructor Elizabeth Gonzalez instilled confidence in me to pursue the opportunity.”

Gonzalez is an STC Biology instructor and recalls learning about the scholarship opportunity from Associate Dean for Faculty Success School of Integrated Bio and Chem Sciences Teresa Feria, Ph.D., at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Recognizing the scholarship’s impact and considering Cazares’ experience, Gonzalez says she knew the 18-year-old would be the perfect candidate.

“I’ve had the privilege of seeing Issac’s growth and now that he’s gearing up for graduation this fall I knew this scholarship would help his transition to a four-year university,” Gonzalez shared. “Collaborating with Teresa has allowed me to provide STC’s students with financial opportunities that can turn into internships, like Isaac’s.”

Gonzalez highlighted the crucial role of offering research opportunities to students at the two-year college level, emphasizing how these experiences lay the groundwork for their future academic achievements and professional success.

“Our SEA-PHAGE students possess a unique skill set that truly sets them apart, and Isaac’s passion and dedication exemplify that excellence,” Gonzalez shared. “I’ve conducted research, so I know first-hand the impact it can make in their careers and the importance of this practice in the field. Ultimately, my goal is to equip students like Isaac with the skills and experiences they need to thrive in research. Seeing them succeed is incredibly rewarding.”

Looking forward to his future, Cazares says he is eager to continue his work with the Weslaco Citrus Center as he pursues his bachelor’s degree and one day, a master’s degree.

With his sights set on contributing to cutting-edge research, Cazares hopes to own a facility on South Padre Island that is dedicated to studying bacterial DNA and the effects of microplastics, an increasingly urgent environmental issue.

“While I’ve grown so much at STC, I am grateful for this experience and the doors it has already opened for me like mentorship and networking opportunities while collaborating on ground-breaking research with industry professionals,” Cazares said. “It’s an opportunity I never imagined possible, but now I am excited to take on my next endeavor.”