Alumni Spotlight

Erin Stempinski

Erin Stempinski serves as a research associate at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon, specializing in electron microscopy applications.

A technique for obtaining high-resolution images of biological and non-biological specimens, electron microscopy is used in biomedical research to investigate the detailed structure of tissues, cells, organelles and macromolecular complexes.

Stempinski performs a variety of electron microscopy techniques, including conventional transmission and scanning electron microscopy, correlative light and electron microscopy, and 3D techniques.

“There are many interesting questions that researchers are exploring at OHSU,” Stempinski said. “Two recent projects I helped with are understanding wound healing in the tympanic membrane and Zika virus infection in the placenta. We’ve even received a few COVID-19 research projects.”

Stempinski has been recognized with the Distinguished Achievement Award by the National Institutes of Health, the primary U.S. agency responsible for biomedical and public health research.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in environmental science and biology from SFA and was first introduced to the field of electron microscopy as an undergraduate. While earning a Master of Science in botany from the Miami University of Ohio, she built upon this foundational knowledge and utilized electron microscopy to conduct research into protein subunits found within chloroplasts of the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

Prior to her current position, Stempinski worked at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s Electron Microscopy Core Facility.

26 Arthur temple College of forestry And AgriCulture

Schaeffer Shockley

It’s not often Texans have the opportunity to see our most iconic cities from a bird’s-eye view, but for 2018 alumnus Schaeffer Shockley, it’s a daily occurrence.

As an unmanned aerial systems pilot for Arch Aerial, Shockley is responsible for planning flights and piloting various drone models to accomplish a variety of client goals, including documentation of pipelines and building construction progress, as well as footage for marketing and promotional purposes.

“The aerial imagery Arch Aerial provides allows our clients to react quickly to situations that could become hazardous to workers, the public and the environment,” Shockley said. “One of my favorite services is showing our clients a holistic perspective of their projects. By regularly capturing imagery, they can watch as their projects are built from the foundation all the way up through completion.”

While at ATCOFA, Shockley closely worked with geospatial science faculty members as they conducted research into the applications of unmanned aerial systems in natural resource management.

Shockley pursued a career in urban forestry after earning a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, but said he couldn’t shake the desire to become a drone pilot.

“My experience of piloting drones in college, combined with my familiarity of working around construction sites from practicing arboriculture, made me an ideal candidate for Arch Aerial,” Schockley said. “The position combines my interest in aviation, my desire to work outside and see new places and my passion for photography.”

fAll 2021 |27

Karen Stafford

As an undergraduate forestry student at SFA, Karen Stafford served as a seasonal employee for the Texas A&M Forest Service, responding to wildland fires in Texas and out of state. During one active fire season in Colorado, Stafford was deeply affected as she witnessed the widespread loss of homes and personal property due to wildland fires.

“I had always heard about it, but until that moment I had never actually seen it,” Stafford said. “I remember walking among the destroyed homes and seeing a child’s toys strewn about the ashes. I remember thinking that when I went to grad school, I wanted to do something that could prevent that situation from happening.”

Stafford earned a Master of Science in Forestry with an emphasis in fire management from SFA in 2011, and since that time, she has dedicated her career to serving Texans by promoting wildfire prevention and preparedness, as well as educating homeowners on how they can take a proactive stance in protecting themselves and their homes against wildfires.

Now, as program coordinator III with the Texas A&M Forest Service, Stafford is the statewide fire prevention coordinator for the agency. In this role, she coordinates and performs strategic planning for wildland fire prevention and mitigation programs. This includes monitoring wildland fire trends and causes, as well as implementing appropriate fire prevention campaigns based on current wildfire trends.

While directing strategic prevention and mitigation efforts, Stafford also heavily focuses on community engagement and education. In addition to planning large-scale fire prevention and education events in Texas, she was the only state forestry agency representative to serve on the U.S. Forest Service’s National Smokey Bear 75th Planning Team. This nationwide initiative celebrated the 75th birthday of the U.S. Forest Service mascot, Smokey Bear, by spreading the message of wildland fire prevention.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Texas in a capacity where I have the ability to educate and promote wildfire awareness and prevention,” Stafford said. “I feel that in everything I do, I have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. Every wildfire prevented means a Texan has a home to go to at the end of the day; valuable grazing land is there for our state’s ranchers and livestock; acres of plantations are there for the timber industry, and our state’s natural resources are protected for the betterment of today’s generation and future generations.”

28 Arthur temple College of forestry And AgriCulture

Dr. Tim Rocka

Dr. Tim Rocka has dedicated three decades to the education profession in a number of capacities ranging from classroom instruction to administrative leadership. Now, as director of career and technical education for Whitehouse Independent School District, Rocka directs 17 career and technical education programs staffed by 21 teachers.

“As a veteran educator, I wanted to use my knowledge and experience to help the students of my community,” Rocka said. “In my current role, I can assist students in reaching their educational goals to achieve great things — perhaps more than they ever expected.”

Examples of the innovative career and technical education programs overseen by Rocka include agribusiness, veterinarian assistant, horticulture, engineering, criminal justice, health science, culinary arts and computer science, just to name a few.

He also successfully secured grant funds to augment the program’s laboratories, ensuring students have access to the most current technologies used in the respective career fields covered by Whitehouse ISD’s programming.

Rocka’s dedication to the field of education has not gone unnoticed. This year he was named Area 3 Career and Technical Administrator of the Year.

“This recognition is special, as it represents my contribution to my chosen field of study and career,” Rocka said. “Gaining this recognition affirms my ambition to provide my expertise to give back to my local community.”

Rocka earned a Bachelor and Master of Science in agriculture from SFA and a doctoral degree in agricultural education from Texas A&M University. His wife, Kim Rocka, also earned a degree in agriculture from SFA and works in public education.

fAll 2021 |29