Guiding underrepresented minorities and first-gen students into research: Challenges and best practices

It is fundamental in today’s society that diverse people come together in science: this will enhance problem solving, reduce any kind of biases, and bridge gaps between fields in science. But very often, underrepresented minorities and first-gen students lack the time and confidence to volunteer in a research lab. A way around this is designing classes where students get to participate and take the lead in cutting-edge research. I will be talking about the challenges and best practices of research-infused classes from my experience in designing a Plant Physiology upper division course at California State University, Los Angeles.