For the past three years, Missouri State University’s Dr. Cyren Rico has worked with his former student Kameron Coates to spread their passion for science to high school students.  

Rico is an associate professor in the chemistry and biochemistry department. 

The pair applied for the Science Coaches program through the American Chemical Society and American Association of Chemistry Teachers to gain funding and support.  

The Science Coaches program pairs chemistry professionals with K-12 teachers to give students more personal encounters with science in the field. The collaborators receive a small stipend to create student-centered projects.  

From student to partner

Coates attended MSU from 2016-2020. He graduated with a degree in chemistry and biochemistry.  

Rico joined MSU around the time Coates began as a student. Coates frequently assisted Rico in class as a research intern and student.  

“He was the first student to help me set up my lab during my first year,” Rico said. “He helped me get the lab organized and going.” 

He and Coates, who is a high school teacher at Willard High School, shared the desire to create opportunities for students to engage in science.  

“Dr. Rico loves helping his students (and former students) succeed,” Coates said. “He and I had a mutual connection for wanting to help students.” 

Preparation for undergraduate research 

In the first and third years of the Science Coaches program, students collected fish, water and algae samples from Lake Springfield. In the second year, students collected algae samples from a wastewater treatment plant.  

Students learn how to collect and test samples in an official research setting. They also learn the best laboratory practices. 

“The students are trained in calculations, field sampling, and basic lab techniques including weighing, pipetting, sample preparation, handling acid and running the instrument,” Rico said. “They’re doing a similar project to what my undergraduate students do.” 

Coates notes students otherwise would not have access to the kind of lab equipment they use through the program. 

“These instruments are not only extremely large, but cost upward of $100,000,” Coates said. “Another fascinating aspect of the program is high school students are now able to work with instruments simply not feasible to supply in a high school setting.” 

Through this experience, students have been able to note the longevity of research, and the details involved.  

“It has shown students that science experiments aren’t to be completed in one hour,” Coates said. “They actually take months and even years to complete, if ever, due to the increasing possibilities from the results much like a flow chart.” 

Andrew Yates, a former student of the program, is currently a biochemistry and computational biology major at Washington University in St. Louis. He hopes to pursue research in the medical field.  

“I think the most impactful part of the work with Dr. Rico was being a part of a miniature research community,” he said. “I truly believe you’re more likely to pursue a career in a specific field when you feel welcomed and can establish friendships, and the opportunity with Dr. Rico and Mr. Coates did that.” 

Another former student, Theodora Osborne, is currently a biochemistry major at Evangel University with plans to research therapies for pediatric autoimmune diseases. She describes how her time in the program shaped her. 

“Every day, as I research in biochemistry, I apply the foundation of scientific reasoning this program provided me, allowing me to be a more effective researcher and member of society,” she said. “Essentially, this program paved the way for me to pursue my present opportunities in research.” 

Learn more about the chemistry and biochemistry department