Joshua Mayoral, a Sophomore Biomedical Science major from Ash Fork, AZ, Awarded Research Grant

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (10/27/2011)(readMedia)-- Joshua Mayoral, a Sophomore Biomedical Science major from Ash Fork, AZ, has received funding to conduct biomedical research at Northern Arizona University. Joshua received $15,000 from the Undergraduate Research Mentoring program.

Joshua credits his various work experiences and affiliations with the university in helping him pursue a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science. While he was a student at Ash Fork High School, Joshua was fortunate to be a part of two prominent Northern Arizona University Educational Support Services programs: Talent Search and Four Corners Upward Bound Math and Science (Four Corners). He spent one year in Talent Search and three years in Four Corners. Both of these groups are part of the Department of Education's TRiO program, which helps identify low-income and first-generation college students and put them on a path to succeed in both a high school and university setting.

Upon enrolling at the university as a freshman, Joshua was employed as a student worker for Educational Support Services. Joshua credits the unique opportunities that these programs supplied, along with encouragement from his biology professor Dr. Fernando Monroy, in achieving this recognition. Dr. Monroy will also be assisting on the research project.

Joshua's career goal is to become a medical doctor.

Educational Support Services at Northern Arizona University houses seven key offices that provide services to enhance the academic experience of junior high, high school, college, and returning adult students. The offices provide programs for target students based primarily in northern Arizona. Each year, Educational Support Services helps more than 9,000 students recognize their potential and pursue their academic goals.

Founded in 1899, Northern Arizona University has established a powerful legacy of educating students to help them make a difference in the world. With an expansive Extended Campuses program, the university has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 20,000 students located at more than 30 sites across Arizona or online. The university is a leader in integrating sustainability into university policies and educational curriculum highlighted by the Platinum LEED-certified Applied Research and Development building, the third-greenest building in the world. More information is online at nau.edu