Per Melany: I mentored an undergraduate student for the SROP program this summer, Alex Zaragoza. It was an enriching experience for both of us. For me, it was an opportunity to develop and refine my mentoring skills. Guiding and supporting him in the program challenged me in the best possible way. For Alex, it was his first immersive exposure to research. It was stimulating to witness his curiosity and confidence grow weekly. We both enjoyed working together. By the end of the program, he had not only gained valuable insights into the research process but had also acquired the skills and knowledge to plan and conduct independent research studies in his area of interest.