At colleges and universities across the country, Richmond Promise Scholars are doing the research that stands to make an impact on our community for years to come.

Today, we’re highlighting one RP Scholar who is thriving in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Yeison Samayoa is a graduate of Leadership Public Schools in Richmond who is now in his second year at UC Santa Cruz where he is working towards a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Recently, Samayoa participated in the 2024 Koret UC LEADS Research and Leadership Symposium at UC Berkeley where he presented on his field of research and earned a top-five award for his work. Richmond Promise Scholar Success Manager Dariana Zermeño joined him at the symposium, and we caught up with him after the event to ask about the work he’s doing, his work with Richmond Promise, and what lies ahead for the UCSC sophomore.

Q: Tell me a bit about the symposium itself. I know the title was “2024 Koret UC LEADS Research and Leadership Symposium” but in your own words, what was the symposium about? 

A: The symposium served as a platform for undergraduate students from all UC campuses who are part of the UC LEADS program to showcase their research in (STEM). The symposium provided a valuable opportunity for UC LEADS scholars to showcase what they have been working on and at the same time, gain insights from fellow researchers, and learn a thing or two from other scientists.

Q: What led you to participate & what interested you the most about the symposium? 

A: I was interested in the symposium as being a UC Leads scholar I wanted to showcase my own research that I have been working on for months. Rarely do researchers get a chance to go into depth about what they work on week in and week out but events like these allow you to do just that, and in a way sort of nerd out with other people who are just as curious as you are. What interested me most about the symposium was the inclusion of scholars from all UC campuses. I had the opportunity to meet some really smart individuals. 

Q: What did you present on? Tell me a bit about your work. 

A: The research I presented under the Yat Li lab was on Bismuth ferrite-BiFeO3 (BFO), and its possible application for hydrogen generation when doped with compounds such as Sn (Tin) and Ge (Germanium). Hydrogen gas is a promising alternative to many systems that rely on carbon-based fuels, which we know create unnecessary and damaging side products that pollute our world. BFO has many interesting electrochemical properties and one of them is its potential to absorb a good amount of energy that can induce a water-splitting reaction. This reaction would produce hydrogen gas (what we want) and oxygen gas. Now what my mentor (Sam Eisenberg) and I seek to find out is if by doping it with Sn or Ge, can we alter its electrochemical properties in such a way that the yield of this reaction increases, leading to more hydrogen production. Hydrogen gas is 3 times as energy-dense as carbon, meaning it’s much more energy efficient, and is much easier to store. We are currently working on creating a stable synthesis for BFO as it is notoriously known to be hard to synthesize and is commercially unavailable. In the future we plan on testing different concentrations of dopant, and how this can potentially alter BFO’s water-splitting properties. 

Q: Having now gone through the symposium, how did it go? Did you enjoy the experience and what did you get from it? 

A: The symposium went well. I received an honorable mention and a top 5 placement in physical sciences. This was my first time ever presenting to such a degree and although I was nervous, I soon found enjoyment with each presentation I gave. Throughout this symposium, the most important thing I learned was that you can accomplish anything you truly aim for. I never saw myself here a few years ago in high school, and ever since I arrived at UCSC, I have dreamed of working on projects such as these. Being there presenting my work and getting an award gave me the confidence that I and anyone else could accomplish their goals. 

Q: A couple general questions to wrap up – first, tell me a bit about your relationship with Richmond Promise? (RP Scholar Success Manager) Dariana Zermeño has told me that you two have worked together closely since you’ve been at UCSC, and I’m wondering how that partnership has helped you as you’ve gone through college? 

A: I have been affiliated with Richmond Promise ever since I attended university. I have attended workshops, set up by Richmond Promise, that have informed and prepared me for university. Dariana has been my closest connection with Richmond Promise. She has helped me find scholarships and internships and has supported me throughout university. She checks up on me often and always offers support when I need it. Dariana has been an amazing mentor and friend, and I am happy I finally met her in person at the symposium!

Q: Going to UCSC puts you a bit of a distance away from home. What sorts of challenges have come with that and what sorts of adjustments have come with being independent? 

A: Being away from home at first was difficult. I had a hard time finding my place at UCSC. Being away from my family, the only people who truly cared for me, made it even harder. However as time went on, I began to truly be someone. Being on my own helped shape the person I am today, and helped me pinpoint the type of person I would like to become. I followed my interest in science, I found the right group of friends, and I began to nurture my interests and hobbies. I began to embrace the person I was meant to be, and I believe that being away from home helped me do this. 

Q: Last one — what does the future hold for Yeison Samayoa? What would you like to do post-college? 

A: What does the future hold for me? I am loving research right now, and having the right people mentor me during this time has only further pushed me to be confident in myself. I am considering either a PhD or an MD, but am unsure what specific focus I’d have in both paths. Part of me wants to do research in neuroscience/chemistry, and the other wants to help people in a psychiatric setting. If I could do both I truly would.

Photos courtesy of Yeison Samayoa and Dariana Zermeño