Patience Kwara may be a long way from Ghana, but she feels right at home, whether she’s at a Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) Thanksgiving gathering or a UNC Greensboro Spartans Men’s Basketball game.
Now she is ready to cross the stage at UNC Greensboro as a member of the Class of 2025, earning her master’s in nanoscience.
She arrived in 2024 with an academic and professional background in food process engineering, and she is moving on with so much more.
A student leader in community science, event coordination, and research, Kwara has built a solid community and scientific foundation at JSNN that will guide and support her future endeavors.
Why UNCG’s Nanoscience Program?
Kwara heard about JSNN’s program while still in Ghana thanks to a friend who was attending nearby N.C. A&T State University.
“I had never heard of such a program, and I became curious,” says Kwara. “The JSNN labs were so well-equipped that I quickly realized this is where I want to be, what I want to do.”
Nanoscience would build upon her study of food processing engineering at the University of Ghana and her subsequent work in the food industry.
“I realized exploring nanoscience would enable me to better understand and manipulate small materials in nutritional delivery, which could improve food quality or even food packaging,” says Kwara.
“JSNN taught me how to be innovative, think critically, and act creatively. It’s also instilled how to connect theory with the practical and how to pay attention to the details and solve problems when they arise.”
– Patience Kwara
Hands-On Nanoscience Research at UNCG
Now a seasoned student, Kwara reflects on what has made her JSNN experience so unique.
She appreciates the interdisciplinary nature of the school—the majority of the students come from distinctive scientific backgrounds, so they often learn from one another.
This soon-to-be graduate also values the practical aspects of her interactive classes, in which she not only learned scientific theory, but went into the lab and practiced the lessons she had learned in the classroom.
“The amount of lab work I experienced bridged a gap for me,” says Kwara. “I previously did not have enough lab experience, but now I do.”
She also reveals that the UNCG campus promotes collaboration—between faculty, staff, and students.
“When you need help, you can easily secure the right resources and the right people who are ready to help you,” she says.
Community Science Engagement Through JSNN
Science Everywhere is part of the North Carolina Science Festival and one of UNCG’s largest STEM events. JSNN participates in the annual spring event to spark interest in the field of science among school-age children.
Kwara worked with children and their parents at this year’s event. One presentation demonstrated the concept of nanopores.
“We put extracts in the latex balloons, blew them up, tied them, and then shook them,” she says. “The extracts came through the tiny pores in the balloons, enabling the children to understand the concept of nanopores because they were actually perceiving the smell of the extracts through the pores.”
Kwara supported JSNN Associate Dean Daniel Rabinovich, Ph.D., while he organized the annual NanoImpacts conference, which welcomes global researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders. This year’s theme was “Active and Adaptive Matter.”
A student ambassador for the Fall 2025 event, Kwara’s role was to organize the conference program, welcome attendees to the program, and coordinate the attendees’ luncheon.
Finding Her Way in Applied Research
Kwara participated in an applied research project this summer, which combined the principles of nanoscience and food technology to enhance the stability and delivery of beneficial microorganisms.
She worked with Professor Dennis LaJeunesse, Ph.D., and JSNN doctoral students on the production of probiotic gummies and conducted experiments.
They grew the bacteria Lactobacillus in litmus milk for three to seven days, she said, and the microbes multiplied. They then took it through a laminar flow, mixed it with alginate, and did a cutting, getting it into a spherical shape and ultimately producing a probiotic gummy.
“It was really interesting,” says Kwara. “I learned how to operate certain pieces of lab equipment independently, and if I had questions, Dr. LaJeunesse would explain and then permit me to work alone.”
Kwara also worked with LaJeunesse on creating biofilms that mimic human skin, which involved growing bacterial cellulose and drying them, with the intent of medical professionals using the “skin” to help study skin infections.
During this research, she was able to use the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
“Although we did not achieve the desired results, the learning process was fun,” Kwara says. “Dr. LaJeunesse encouraged us keep working and not give up despite our setbacks.”
LaJeunesse describes Kwara as an exceptional JSNN student whose curiosity and dedication were apparent in her academic achievements.
“Her research in my lab on probiotic gummies and biofilm models demonstrated her technical skills and passion for applying science to real world problems,” he says. “Her background in food process engineering brought a unique perspective to nanoscience, and watching her growth as a researcher has been exciting.”
Future Plans: From UNCG to Global Impact
Kwara is excited to graduate, remain in the U.S., and pursue work in a corporate quality assurance department. That said, she anticipates returning to school to pursue a doctoral degree, so she can eventually train future scientists.
She will miss her fellow students, plus faculty and staff members who have been helpful, and the “sense of belonging” she easily found on this campus.
She is quick to credit JSNN for teaching her many things: the value of interdisciplinary science; how to work on a team; and the importance of community science. She also leaves her program more confident in navigating a lab experience.
“JSNN taught me how to be innovative, think critically, and act creatively,” says Kwara. “It’s also instilled how to connect theory with the practical and how to pay attention to the details and solve problems when they arise.”
Written by Amy Burtch, AMBCopy
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
CELEBRATE OUR GRADS!
Graduates and their families are encouraged to share their accomplishments on social media by tagging the University accounts and using the hashtag #UNCGGrad. Visit UNCG’s digital swag page for Commencement-themed graphics and templates.
Mention @UNCG in celebratory posts on Instagram and X and @uncgreensboro on TikTok.
