By Karen B. Cotton

Kayla Freeman, a senior in Prairie View A&M University’s Chemical Engineering Program, came to “The Hill” as part two of a unique program at Xavier University of Louisiana. Upon graduation in May of 2023, Freeman will earn dual undergraduate degrees in chemistry from Xavier and engineering from PVAMU.

The Florida native is part of the PVAMU Research & Innovation for Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Faculty RISE – Undergraduate Research Grant Program with Merlyn Xavier Pulikkathara, assistant professor in chemistry and physics, serving as her mentor.

“Kayla is drawn towards research and had put in her efforts in going over and over her work on the poster, which is why she earned first place in the URISE poster competition,” Dr. Pulikkathara said. “She has a genuine interest in learning and working on projects. For these reasons, she will go far as a chemical engineer, and I know she will be successful as she progresses at PVAMU and in her career.”

Freeman worked as a student researcher in RISE. Through the program, faculty members sustain their research and expand their scope of expertise by participating in external grants and contracts. They mentor undergraduate students, like Freeman, to become the next generation of experts.

“Because I have a background in chemistry from my time at Xavier, this experience has helped me to expand on that knowledge,” Freeman said. “I worked on nanoparticle purification materials and came to understand how that transfers to the work in the oil and gas industry that I will do after graduation. I’m really into sustainability. Every project I’ve worked on, including the RISE program, has been a part of sustainability. That’s my passion.”

Freeman has accepted a role with the Hess Corporation. She completed a summer internship with the company and plans to split her time between North Dakota and Houston while working with the global oil, gas and energy company.

“I appreciate Dr. Pulikkathara for showing me the global impact we can have here at PVAMU, an HBCU. There are so many positive things happening here with research, and she opened my eyes to it,” Freeman said.

To future student researchers, Freeman has this advice: “Go into it with an open mind. There are so many things you’ll learn and opportunities you’ll have in the process.”

This story originally appeared in the latest edition of “On the RISE.”

For more information, visit PVAMU.edu.