SunRISE Fall 2008

Desert SunRISE

SACNAS (the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science) celebrated its 35

th

year with a conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. The national conference, run-ning October 9-12, was themed the ―International Polar Year: Global Climate Change in Our Communi-ties.‖ A record number of NMSU RISE students pre-sented their research at the conference. Graduate stu-dents who gave presenta-tions included: José

Bañuelos, Iliana Ruiz-Cooley, Richard Elicier, Ivette Guzman, Aerial Sin-gleton, Nabeeh Hasan, and Gloricelys Rivera. Under-graduate students present-ers included: Yvonne Diaz, Sarah Gonzalez, Jon George (RISE/BRIDGES) Jaime Guerra, Kellie Ju-rado (RISE/ MARC), Tan-nia Lau, Alexander Louie (RISE/MARC), Amanda Munoz, Brianna Rios, Marie Romero, Lacie Yazzie, and Natasha Yazzie. Doctoral candidate Iliana Cooley won an award for Best Graduate Oral Presentation in Marine Biology, while undergradu-ate Jon George received an award for Best Under-

graduate Poster Presenta-tion in Chemistry. RISE staff member Linda Amezquita, who traveled with students and the pro-gram director, character-ized the conference as ―eye opening,‖ saying it was ―constant activity‖ and ―exhilarating.‖ (See p.4 for a list of all presentations.)

When Iliana Ruiz-Cooley, a Ph.D. student in the RISE program, describes SACNAS 2008 the word she uses is ―priceless.‖ Cooley’s excitement is understand-able, as her presentation, ―Geographic Trophic Varia-tion of the Jumbo Squid, Dosidicus Gigas, in the East-ern Pacific Ocean: Evidence from Stable Isotopes,‖ was judged best oral presenta-

tion in marine biology at the conference. Her appreciation of the event, however, isn’t limited to the awards she won—or awards that her students won. Erika Villa, an undergraduate senior in the same lab at NMSU as Coo-ley, was awarded the distinc-tion of best poster presenta-tion for an undergraduate in marine biology. Cooley also highlights the conference’s

importance as a networking tool for students of all levels. ―Many government agencies and universities are there to provide information about their programs‖ Cooley points out, before adding: ―it is an incredible opportunity to get advice on grants, or choosing post-docs, or for getting feedback from the government agencies that provide funding.‖

NMSU NIH Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement Bus i ne s s N a m e

Fall 2008

Volume 1, Issue 2

Inside this issue:

Iliana Ruiz-Cooley at SACNAS 2008

Attend Conferences!

“...Many government

agencies and universities

are there...It is an

incredible opportunity to

get advice on grants, or

choosing post-docs, or for

getting feedback...”

Iliana Ruiz-Cooley

RISE Scholar Presentations at SACNAS

2008 National Conference in Salt Lake City

Ph.D. student Iliana Ruiz-Cooley at SACNAS 2008

RISE Spotlights 2-3

RISE Spring Calendar 3

Letter from RISE Director 3

SACNAS Presentations 4

SACNAS Photos 5

Fall 2008 Graduates 6

RISE Program Contact Info

and Office Staff 7

RISE Student Advisory

committee and members 7

Kathryn A. Hanley, Assistant Professor in the Biology de-partment, has a long history of mentoring students. As a research associate studying infectious diseases at the National Institute for Health—where she worked before coming to NMSU—Hanley helped supervise the post-baccalaureate ―mentees‖ in her lab. But even in her grad-school days at San Diego, Hanley was helping younger students, ―nascent colleagues‖ as she aptly calls them. Hanley credits her long track record of providing guidance to stu-dents to positive interactions she had with teachers as an undergraduate herself. ―I am a scientist,‖ says Hanley, ―because I got extensive mentorship.‖

However, Hanley stresses that success in academia isn’t just about having posi-tive relationships with teach-ers and mentors—the re-search itself is a reward. ―Research is,‖ she begins, and then pauses, before continuing a moment later with a smile, ―it’s like to-bacco. It’s entirely addictive.‖

Hanley’s current research on the circulation of mosquito born viruses directs her across the globe to the Afri-can country of Senegal. Her own work is an example of what Hanley describes as the ―larger world‖ of science students too often are un-aware exists beyond their classrooms. Programs like RISE are so valuable, Han-ley says, because they ―give [students] real and tangible

support,‖ allowing for horizon-broadening opportunities like conference attendance and research-related travel.

matics and was a Crimson and Regent’s Plus Scholar. In 2002 he won the Marc Miller – Velma McClelland Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Laboratory Stu-dent at New Mexico State University. Currently, Bañuelos’ research focuses on understanding intermedi-ate structures of proteins when they fold and unfold. In addition to his research, Bañuelos has been very active in conferences and presentations. In 2009 he presented at the American Physical Society March Meeting in Pittsburg, PA. In 2008 he presented at the SACNAS conference in Salt

RISE graduate scholar José Bañuelos is a Ph.D. candi-date under the mentorship of Dr. Jacob Urquidi in the de-partment of physics. As an undergraduate student at NMSU, Bañuelos studied physics and applied mathe-

Lake City, UT, the GRAS symposium in Las Cruces, NM, and the Gordon Re-search Conference on Wa-ter & Aqueous Solutions in Holderness, NH, among other events. Bañuelos stresses that the kind of public exposure confer-ences and poster-presentations generate is essential to success as a graduate student. ―There has to be,‖ he says, ―a will-ingness to put yourself out-side your comfort zone. Per-severance is a quality that has to be there.‖

Desert SunRISE Volume 1, I ssue 2

Dr. Kathryn Hanley, Assistant

Professor, NMSU Department of

Biology

On Grad School

Recently interviewed by

the RISE staff, “Leo” had

the following to say about

success in grad school:

“Grad school is a „molding‟

experience, it challenges

your will….Perseverance is

a quality that has to be

there.”

José Bañuelos, Physics

RISE Graduate Student

On Research:

“Research is….It‟s like

tobacco, it‟s entirely

addictive.

Dr. Kathryn A. Hanley,

Assistant Professor of

Biology, NMSU

RISE Mentor Spotlight on Dr. Kathryn Hanley

RISE Grad Spotlight on José “Leo” Bañuelos

More with Dr. Hanley:

In a recent interview, RISE

staff caught up with Dr. Han-

ley. Asked about stu-

dent/mentor relationships,

Hanley replied that “students

will almost inevitably rise to

the expectations you [the

mentor] set for them.” Hanley

conceptualizes the role of the

mentor as one of introducing

students to the “larger

world...of...the community of

scientists worldwide.”


remedies and scientific medi-cine. ―I have that herbalist kind of feel,‖ he quips, before talk-ing in a more serious vein about his incredible experi-ence in RISE’s summer Med-Plants workshop. TJ’s future plans include more research on the medicinal properties of herbal remedies, ―what more the plants can provide scien-

Thurman ―TJ‖ Redhouse is a junior majoring in horticulture and is in his first year in the RISE program. TJ explains that it was his Navajo heri-tage and upbringing that got him into plant science. ―I’ve always enjoyed what my cul-ture has done with plants,‖ he says, before pointing out that his particular interest lies at the intersection of cultural

tifically‖ as he puts it. Eventu-ally he hopes to get his doc-torate. He emphasizes how RISE is helping him towards these goals. ―RISE,‖ TJ says, ―has helped me prepare for future education, like prepar-ing for graduate school. There are a lot of people here to help you.‖

Page 3 Desert SunRISE Volume 1, I ssue 2

Rise Spotlight on Undergraduate TJ Redhouse

Alexandru ―Alex‖ Bojé, a

freshman majoring in chemi-

cal engineering, is conduct-

ing RISE research with Dr.

Elba Serrano. He describes

himself as having lived in a

―range of environments: from

metropolises to rural towns‖

and says that his ―research

and academic experience

[has been] as varied as [his]

life.‖ Alex participated in the

Summer RISE-MBRS Medici-

nal Plants (―Med-plants‖)

Workshop, where he re-

searched the scientific proper-

ties of the silverleaf night-

shade. His current work fo-

cuses on reconstructing three

dimensional models from the

histologic slices of inner ear

tissue. Alex describes his pro-

ject as ―trying to..model physi-

cal stresses within the inner

ear.‖ Although the work he

does in the lab is challenging,

Alex says his most difficult

problem was when a previous

RISE Spotlights Undergrad Alexandru Bojé ―fix it.‖ He learned from

scratch how to use the editor

Dreamweaver and how to pro-

gram in XHTML. Alex tactfully

says that ―through this experi-

ence, I...learned how to tackle

a project...not in my area of

expertise.‖ Alex has since

been instrumental in re-

designing and creating web-

sites for numerous programs

at NMSU including the Society

of Woman Engineers.

March 19

URCAS abstracts due

April 15

Submission of RISE stu-

dent portfolios, including

personal statement,

summary of research,

CV, etc., due to Cathilia.

April 17

Undergraduate Research

and Creative Arts Sym-

posium (URCAS).

April 22-23

Graduate Research &

Arts Symposium

(GRAS).

Feb 4

RISE Advisory Board

RISE Writing Workshop,

Thursdays (5:00—6:25

PM) in the Business

Complex, Room 115.

Undergraduates.

RISE Study Skills,

Mondays (1—5 PM),

Wednesdays (2—6 PM),

Fridays (11—2 PM)

Foster Hall, room 137.

RISE Mentor Research

Education Colloquia,

2nd Weds of Feb ,Mar,

& Apr.

February 12 (4—5 PM)

Learning Styles Work-

shop in Hardman Hall,

room 202.

RISE Spring Calendar:

development activities in minority-serving institutions through awards from the Minority Biomedical Re-search Support (MBRS) program. The goal of NIH-RISE is to strengthen and diversify the scientific work-force by increasing the number of students from underrepresented groups who complete Ph.D. de-gree programs in biomedi-cal and biobehavioral re-search.

Elba Serrano, Ph.D., Regents Professor & RISE Program Director

Our RISE (Research Initia-tive for Scientific Enhance-ment) Community at New Mexico State University is committed to scientific re-search that will promote hu-man health and reduce ill-ness and disabilities. RISE is a National Institutes of Health (NIH)initiative that supports student scientific

From The Director:

RISE GRADUATE SCHOLARS: José Bañuelos, ―Investigations on the Temperature-Induced Intermediate Structure of Ribo-nuclease A and Other Globular Proteins by Small Angle X-Ray Scattering.‖ Iliana Cooley, ―Geographic Trophic Variation of the Jumbo Squid, Dosidicus Gigas, in the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Evidence from Stable Isotopes and Morphometrics.‖ Richard Elicier, ―Exploring Interactions Between Mob1 and a Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier.‖

Ivette Guzman, ―Carotenogenesis of Orange Color in Capsicum Annuum Fruit.‖

Nabeeh Hasan, ―Reading Tea Leaves: Morphological and Molecular Analysis of t^é Gastro-

nol Constituents.‖

Gloricelys Rivera, ―Identification of Potential Light-Response Pathway Genes in Cryphonec-

tria Parasitica.‖

Aerial Singleton, ―The Production of Succinate in the Brain after 12 min of Global cerebral Ischemia in Female Sprague Dawley Rats.‖

RISE UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARS: Yvonne Diaz, ―Feed Value of Dry Distillers Grains for Feedlot Lambs.”

Jon George (a RISE/ BRIDGES student), ―Synthesis of Methoxy-S-Trityl-L-Cysteine Deriva-

tives.‖

Sarah Gonzalez, ―Synthetic Azole Nucleosides as Potential Antiviral Drugs.‖

Jaime Guerra, ―Geographic Variation in the Vocalizations of the Endangered Thick-Billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta Pachyrhyncha); Implications for Conservation Strategies.‖

Kellie Jurado (a RISE/MARC student), ―Synchrony, Adrenocortical Functioning, and Learning

in Three Month-Old Infants.‖

Tannia Lau, ―Global Protein Expression in Hypovirus Infected and Uninfected Cryphonectria Parasitica Strains Using Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis.‖ Alexander Louie (a MARC student), ―Polyamine Oxidase: A Major Contributor of Reactive

Oxygen Species during Apoptosis.‖

Amanda Munoz, ―Gene Flow in a Ground Cricket Hybrid Zone.‖

Brianna Rios, ―Development of Reagents to Study the Spindel Assembly Checkpoint in Sea

Urchin Embryos.‖

Marie Romero, ―Molecular Comparison of Undifilum Oxytropis Isolates from the Western

United States.‖

Lacie Yazzie, ―Constitutive Overexpression of Maize SPS in Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa).‖

Natasha Yazzie, ―Structural Study of Human Siderocalin and Iron Bound Siderophore, Vi-

briobactin.‖


SACNAS RISE Presentations:


RISE Scholar Presentations at

SACNAS 2008:


New Mexico State University

Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement - Rise to Excellence Program

Proudly recognizes the following graduating Scholars:

Nicholas Beltran, Bachelors of Science, Biology,

Yvonne Diaz, Bachelor of Science, Animal Science,

Jamie Guerra, Bachelor of Science, Biology,

&

James Moten, Bachelor of Science, Chemistry

RISE Congratulates Fall 2008 graduates:

Cathilia Flores, Program Coordinator

Linda Amezquita, Records Specialist

M. Donohue, SunRISE Editor

Citlalin Xochime, RISE Professional Skills Facilitator

http://biology-web.nmsu.edu/nmsurise/index.html

RISE Program Staff

Jesus Cuaron, RISE Graduate Representative

Yvonne Diaz, RISE Undergraduate Representative

Amanda Munoz, RISE Undergraduate Representative

Emigdio Reyes, RISE Graduate Representative

RISE Student Advisory Committee

RISE on the Web!

RISE Spotlights Citlalin Xochime, Former SunRISE

Editor and RISE Professional Skills Facilitator

The SunRISE is a tri-annual (summer, fall, spring) publication dedicated to showcasing RISE staff undergraduate and graduate scholars, mentors

and staff.


NMSU English Department’s Rhetoric and Professional Communication program. She teaches undergraduate English courses, including technical and scientific com-munication. Citlalin states, ―My teaching philosophy is to prepare college students for discourse empowerment within their professional, personal, and social spheres.‖ She promotes a studious climate of writing reflection, critical inquiry, and technique on how to model disciplinary scholar-ship. During her RISE ser-vice, Citlalin launched the

Citlalin Xochime is a former RISE workshop facilitator and a PhD candidate in the

Desert SunRISE newsletter. She conducted the fall 2008 RISE workshop series for undergraduate RISE Schol-ars. Citlalin has a diverse background, including a MA in English and a BS in Biol-ogy. She was a recipient of a NASA Space Grant Fellow-ship for summer study at Kennedy Space Center, and interned at the IBM Silicon Valley Lab. Citlalin plans to graduate in December of 2010 and to seek a position in academia or industry.

On Teaching

“ M y Teaching Philosophy,”

says Citlalin, “ is to prepare

college students discourse

empowerment within their

professional, emotional, and

social spheres. ”

Minority Biomedical Research Support

Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS-RISE)

New Mexico State University MBRS-RISE Program, PO Box 30001

MSC 3AF , Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001

Phone: 575-646-8040 | 575-646-7011

Email: [email protected]

MINORITY BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH SUPPORT—RESEARCH INTITIAVE FOR SCIENTIFIC

ENHANCEMENT NMSU RISE TO EXCELLENCE (NIH NIGMS GRANT #R25GM061222)

SunRISE Fall 2008

Documents

Transcript of SunRISE Fall 2008