
2024 IRES Awardees
The 2024 NSF International Research Experience for Students (IRES) cohort recently returned from a transformative journey to China. After an intensive semester of preparation, our awardees delved into both the academic and cultural landscapes of this vibrant country.
This year, our distinguished group of students traveled to Qingdao City in Shandong Province, where they engaged deeply with their academic pursuits and immersed themselves in the local culture.
We invite you to explore the experiences of the 2024 NSF IRES cohort, detailed in their reflections below, as they share the impact of this incredible adventure.
NSF-IRES Awardees
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Jessica Villarreal | Jemima Estrada | Chase Rheinlander | Antonio Moore |
Jessica's Experience | Jemima's Experience | Chase's Experience | Antonio's Experience |
Jemina Estrada
Jemima Estrada is a first-generation Mexican American from Odessa, Texas. She graduated from Odessa High School in 2022 in the top ten percent with high honors and was a part of the school’s Honors Society where she assisted in various community activities like public service both outside and inside academic settings.
Jemima started attending University of Texas Permian Basin in the fall of 2022 and earned recognition in the Dean’s Honor Roll in the 2022 Fall and 2023 Fall semesters. She is currently participating in student activities such as the Chemistry Club and is a treasurer of the Pre-Vet Society Club. In December 2023 she was selected as a participant in the 2024 NSF International Research Experience for Students.
Jemima volunteered in the summers to assist in hurricane relief where she received experience in environmental and humanitarian service. She would serve food to the homeless, fill up bags of trash on the coastline, and assisted in cleaning up affected homes. She developed an interest in environmental and wildlife conservation through these experiences. Working in a HSI STEM internship she engaged in several small projects in the biology department and is now working as a lab assistant in animal research laboratory where she developed skills correlated to small animal care and husbandry. Through these experiences Jemima has developed skills in communication, teamwork, and balancing responsibility.
Jemima is expected to graduate in May 2026. She is exploring learning opportunities and careers in environmental and wildlife conservation and veterinary medicine.
Antonio Moore
Antonio Moore is a Washington, DC native. Mr. Moore is currently a senior studying chemistry with a full scholarship at Fisk University, an HBCU in Nashville, TN, and has joined their W.E.B. Dubois Honors Program. He transferred credits from Prince George’s Community College, which he attended during high school, for dual enrollment. He currently also takes classes at Vanderbilt University, including Mandarin and Materials Science.
At Fisk, Mr. Moore has volunteered and worked in the life and physical sciences department as well as Fisk’s center for nanomaterials. He has completed a diverse range of internships at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Vanderbilt University, D.E. Shaw Research, Microsoft, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Through this, he has cultivated a passion for scientific research and has strived to continue to challenge himself. After he graduates, he plans to continue his education and get his PhD in chemistry with a specialization in materials.
"China was almost the exact opposite of my expectations. Not only is it easily the most beautiful country I’ve visited, but it was also the friendliest and most welcoming."
Chase Rheinlander
Chase Allen Rheinlander is a native of Midland, Texas where he graduated from Midland High School in 2017. Chase is a dedicated student, undergraduate researcher, and aspiring mechanical engineer with a passion for interdisciplinary exploration. He is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at The University of Texas of The Permian Basin (UTPB).
With a background in health sciences from the American Military University where he earned an associate degree in applied sciences, Chase Rheinlander transitioned to the field of mechanical engineering as a transfer student from Arizona State University where he embraced new challenges and opportunities for intellectual growth.
With research interests that span a wide spectrum, Chase reflects his diverse academic background and curiosity-driven mindset. His research endeavors include seven months of neuroscience biomedical research in a molecular biology wet lab, where he investigates neurodegenerative diseases using a variety of laboratory techniques such as in vivo mice model studies, cell culture, western blotting, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments under his principal investigator (PI) Dr. Xu. Chase is also under the mentorship of Dr. Dong where he has delved into the realm of molecular docking simulations with Autodock Vina, contributing to advancements in computational molecular modeling.
Chase is always eager to share his findings and insights and has presented in a recent academic forum. His posters in neurodegenerative and molecular docking research have been presented at the UTPB undergraduate research event on April 19, 2024, where he demonstrated his ability to communicate complex scientific phenomena effectively to a broad audience. Furthermore, he has contributed to clinical research in the field of acute burn care, where he conducted extensive literature reviews and manuscript writing for Texas Tech Health Science Center’s medical school, culminating in a forthcoming presentation at this year’s Southern Region Burn Conference.
As a passion driven person who aims to serve others in multiple capacities, he plans to deepen his understanding of the human biology and aims to pursue a medical degree upon graduating from UTPB in the fall of 2026. Despite his great medical interest, Chase remains steadfast in his dedication to research and his mechanical engineering undertaking. He also recognizes the synergies between these highly dynamic fields and the potential for innovation and cutting-edge research at their intersection.
Chase’s commitment to research excellence has been recognized by his mentors along the way, leading him to an acceptance into the NSF-funded International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program. He will be under the guidance of esteemed colleagues at Shandong University Science and Technology where he will embark on the groundbreaking exploration of Greenhouse gas reforming under microwave heating and carbon catalysts. This opportunity will be a paramount milestone in his research journey, offering a platform to enable him to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of scientific knowledge and innovation.
Chase Rheinlander exemplifies a passionate and interest driven scholar, poised to make impactful contributions in various fields of research and scientific inquiry wherever he goes.
Jessica Villarreal
Jessica Villarreal is originally from Odessa, Texas. Jessica is currently a university student at The University of Texas Permian Basin, majoring in Biochemistry. She works as a Chemistry Peer Leader at the university, where she assist students with their chemistry coursework on a weekly basis.
During her second year at The University of Texas Permian Basin, Jessica participated in the LSAMP program. She conducted research on the association between Covid-19 ICU patients who are nonsmoking vs smoking. She presented her findings at the LSAMP annual conference in 2023.
Jessica is on track to graduate in May 2026 with a Master’s degree in Biology, a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, and a teaching certificate. She is currently exploring various career options post-graduation.