2019-2020
CATALYST Unlocking the Mysteries of the Brain • Bringing Back the Prairie The Promising Reality of Artificial Intelligence • #ThisIsWhatAScientistLooksLike
The Magazine of The College of Sciences at The University of Texas at San Antonio
Catalyst 2020 | UTSA
Contents Message from the Dean
CATALYST 1
Student Writers
Dean: David R. Silva, Ph.D. Editor and Writer: Lauren Moriarty
Congratulations
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Graphic Designer: Coral Díaz Copyeditor: Ashley Festa
Good to Know
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Student Writers: Amber Stillwagon, Catherine Walsh, Daniel Lockerbie
Running Forward: Our Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
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Contributing Writers: Jordan Allen, Milady Nazir, Taylor Bird
UTSA Software to Help Patients Receive Faster Postpandemic Care
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Unlocking the Mysteries of the Brain
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Stronger Together Bringing Back the Prairie The Promising Reality of Artificial Intelligence Office Hours: Carolyn Luna Awesome Alum: George Riley
COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs: Kelly Nash, Ph.D.
Amber Stillwagon Communications
“I love to write because it allows for me to express myself and my views of the world.”
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies: Janis Bush, Ph.D.
Although this year brought unprecedented difficulties for our students, faculty and staff,
Associate Dean for Research: Jose Lopez-Ribot, Pharm.D./Ph.D.
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12 14 15
as well as their families, each member of the College of Sciences rose to the challenges in the face of extraordinary circumstances. You can learn more about our faculty’s
Associate Dean for Student Success and Instructional Innovation: Edwin Barea-Rodriguez, Ph.D.
dedication to student success during remote instruction and their remarkable contributions to COVID-19 research on page 4.
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies: Timothy Yuen, Ph.D. (effective 09/01/20) Assistant Dean for Fiscal Administration: Mike Findeisen Assistant Dean for Remote Instruction: Terri Matiella, Ph.D. Senior Executive Development Officer: Kim Fischer
Message from the Dean
Due to the pandemic’s negative impact on Texas state revenue and UTSA’s projected
Catherine Walsh
2020 enrollment, UTSA faced financial challenges that resulted in hard budget decisions
Mathematics
across the university. As we look forward to all the good things in store for our college, it
“I love writing because it is an outlet for me and for my thoughts, and it is a way I can express myself without judgment, allowing me to be me.”
is my hope that the most painful days are behind us. I am confident that we are positioned to do great things in the future. From developing precision brain therapies (page 6) to utilizing artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems (page 12), our cutting-edge research continues to positively impact San
#ThisIsWhatAScientistLooksLike Giving Meet the New Science and Engineering Building
Antonio and the scientific community. As a college, we remain focused on undergraduate
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Our students continue to inspire me with their resilience and passion for learning (page The College of Sciences One UTSA Circle San Antonio, Texas 78249 (210) 458-4450 www.utsa.edu/sciences facebook.com/UTSASciences
Catalyst is the annual publication of the College of Sciences at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Catalyst is created for faculty, students, alumni and friends of the college and highlights achievements in research, scholarship and community outreach.
instruction, research and graduate education, and innovative strategic growth.
Cover illustration: MimiPrints All rights reserved.
twitter.com/UTSASciences instagram.com/utsa.collegeofsciences linkedin.com/school/utsa-college-of-sciences
16). They make me proud to be a Roadrunner. Sincerely,
Daniel Lockerbie English
“I love to write because writing gives me a way to express my thoughts more clearly.”
DAVID R. SILVA, PH.D.
Distinguished Professor, Physics and Astronomy Dean, College of Sciences 1
UTSA | Catalyst 2020
Catalyst 2020 | UTSA
Congratulations u
Biology professor Dr. John McCarrey joined the Center for
Good to Know
Meet Our New Faculty Members
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Male Reproductive Epigenomics, a new research center dedicated to sperm epigenomics. u
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CONNECT, The CONsortium on Nuclear SECurity Technologies, was awarded nearly $3 million in grant funding. CONNECT is partnered with Argonne National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory to explore areas of nuclear science and technologies.
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Institute and Southwest Research Institute joined together for a groundbreaking partnership in precision therapeutics; the group was later awarded $200,000 for a collaborative study to develop a novel vaccine to combat COVID-19.
Dr. Michael P. Doyle, the Rita and John Feik Distinguished University Chair in Medicinal Chemistry, was awarded the 2020 International Precious Metals Institute’s Henry J. Albert Award for his pioneering work with rhodium catalyst reactions.
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research output and the Department of Chemistry was ranked first among young U.S. universities by Nature Index, a database that provides information about high-quality research output and collaboration. u
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Researchers with UTSA’s MATRIX AI Consortium for Human Well-Being created the COVID-19 Resources & Recovery Site, a website that helped Texans share the location of scarce consumer goods in real time.
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Computer science professor Dr. Murtuza Jadliwala was awarded a National Science Foundation CAREER grant to fund his research on securing modern ubiquitous sensing and computing technologies against private data inference and exfiltration threats.
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Biology professor Dr. Chiung-Yu Hung was awarded a President’s Teaching Award for Research Achievement.
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Chemistry senior lecturer Dr. Hector Aguilar was awarded a President’s Teaching Award for Excellence in University Service.
Chemistry professor Dr. Banglin Chen was inducted into the European Academy of Sciences as a Foreign Fellow and was accepted as a Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry.
The Department of Computer Science hosted the fifth annual RowdyHacks, a 24-hour hackathon, fully online for the first time.
Chemistry professor Dr. Oleg Larionov received $1.13 million from the National Institutes of Health to conduct research on the synthesis of sulfur-containing small molecules for the development of biological probes and therapeutic agents.
UTSA, Southwest Research Institute and Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute received an $18 million contract for the U.S. Department of Defense Threat Reduction Agency to collaboratively develop a protective vaccine against Francisella tularensis, the bacterium that causes tularemia.
UTSA won a $3 million NASA award to launch the Center for Advanced Measurements in Extreme Environments (NASA CAMEE), an interdisciplinary center that collaborates with NASA to push the boundaries of current measurement and modeling technology by conducting research in harsh and extreme environments.
The Department of Chemistry hosted the third International Symposium on Carbene and Nitrene Chemistry at the historic Menger Hotel, marking the first time the biennial symposium was held in North America.
Dr. Stanton F. McHardy, a professor of research, associate
UTSA was named a top university in natural sciences
The Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS) was awarded a $1.5 million Continuing Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
professor of chemistry and director of UTSA’s Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, was named UTSA’s 2019 Innovator of the Year. u
UTSA, UT Health San Antonio, Texas Biomedical Research
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Biology
Cluster Hires
T. Chris Gamblin, Professor Rahul Raghavan, Associate Professor
Mathematics and Physics and Astronomy José Morales, Assistant Professor
Chemistry Audrey Lamb, Professor and Department Chair Fang Xu, Assistant Professor
Physics and Astronomy and Electrical and Computer Engineering Robert Sutherland, Assistant Professor
Computer Science
Joint Hire
Sumit Jha, Professor Rocky Slavin, Assistant Professor
Geological Sciences
College of Sciences (Mathematics) and College of Engineering (Electrical and Computer Engineering) Claire Walton, Assistant Professor
Alfonso Fernández, Assistant Professor
Mathematics Alperen Ergür, Assistant Professor Jessica Gehrtz, Assistant Professor Zhuolin Qu, Assistant Professor Dr. Audrey Lamb has joined the College of Sciences as the new chair of the Department of Chemistry. Lamb was previously a professor and director of graduate training in chemical biology at the University of Kansas. She earned her Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Lamb’s research includes the study of how metallophores, natural products from plants, bacteria and fungi, are made as well as the chemistry attributed to the enzymes that make riboflavin, or vitamin B2. Her lab also investigates the enzymes implicated in cancer and diabetes. “I think the best part of being a chair will be helping the members of the department be successful,” she says. “This includes students who are learning and performing experiments and faculty who are teaching and running research labs. I am looking forward to learning from my new colleagues. I am excited to learn from them the chemistry about which they are passionate.”
Chemistry professor Dr. Aimin Liu received $4 million from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation to conduct research on iron-containing proteins.
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UTSA | Catalyst 2020
Catalyst 2020 | UTSA
Running Forward: Our Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
UTSA Software to Help Patients Receive Faster Postpandemic Care
At the start of the spring 2020 semester,
map that tracked the spread of the virus
of sickness for those infected when the next
By Milady Nazir
students congregated in large lecture halls,
in Texas. Dr. Amina Qutub, a biomedical
strain of SARS-CoV-2 emerges. The typical
researchers huddled together in narrow labs,
engineering professor; Dr. Hongjie Xie, chair
process of drug development, from initial
and staff members collaborated in shared
of the Department of Geological Sciences;
research to animal testing to clinical trials to
workspaces. However, the rapidly evolving
and graduate students Younghyun Koo and
FDA approval, has a timeline of five to eight
nature of the coronavirus pandemic quickly
Teg Pandit contributed to the project.
years. In the meantime, the compounds will
created a new normal for the College of Sci-
help the scientific community understand
ences. Across UTSA, 4,600 courses pivoted
Dr. Doug Frantz, the Max and Minnie
how the coronavirus attacks cells and reacts
online and 6,500 faculty, staff and student
Tomerlin Voelcker Distinguished Professor in
to molecules.
employees worked from home.
Chemistry and co-founder of UTSA’s Center
Many patients had to wait for surgeries
As of May 1, approximately 20 states across
There are plans to make use of this program
due to the heavy burden COVID-19 caused
the country had resumed some elective
for the entire surgery department, which
for hospitals. Now, UTSA computer science
surgeries, with only a few more planning to
typically has 250 to 300 surgeries scheduled
seniors have built a software program that
do so later in the month. Hospitals anticipate
per day.
helps doctors prioritize medical procedures
bottlenecks and long waits for patients who
and treat people more efficiently.
need procedures such as tumor removals.
“Students don’t always have these real-life and critical problems to solve,” Shah says.
The program, called ESCal, can organize
“We had months [of appointments] already
almost three months of surgeries in a few
scheduled. As all this was happening we
they are doing it very fast. I’m impressed
minutes by simply working within a hospi-
realized that, when this is over, we would
with how they’ve come together to help us
tal’s existing system.
have to reschedule everybody,” says Shah.
out. This is very, very valuable and a huge
“But what they are doing really matters, and
for Innovative Drug Discovery, screened
Dr. Karl Klose, recipient of the Robert J.
Campus laboratories downsized to essen-
small molecule libraries to identify com-
Kleberg Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg College of
tial personnel only, but researchers still
pounds that could potentially be developed
Sciences Professorship and the director
found ways to benefit the local community.
into a coronavirus treatment. The com-
of the South Texas Center for Emerging
Dr. Juan Gutierrez, chair of the Department
pounds have chemical properties similar to
Infectious Diseases, is leading a collabora-
of Mathematics, constructed a COVID-19
hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, two
tive study to work on a potential COVID-19
epidemiological model San Antonio health
immunosuppressive drugs previously used
vaccine. The San Antonio Partnership for
on another project for Amita Shah at UT
canceled and needing to be rescheduled, we
Besides solving grand challenges, projects
officials used to plan their official response.
to treat and prevent malaria, and are part of
Precision Therapeutics awarded the team
Health San Antonio, but once the outbreak
needed a way to triage things when we start
such as these provide tremendous
In collaboration with UT Health San Antonio,
a class of compounds known as quinolines.
$200,000 to conduct their research. Team
struck, we had to pivot,” says Dr. Mark Rob-
operating again.”
“But not everybody’s condition is of the same “For the past nine months, we were working
chemistry professors Dr. Stanton McHardy
Frantz’s compounds are also quinolines, but
members include scientists from all four
inson, an assistant professor of practice in
and Dr. Doug Frantz made large batches of
they are composed of different atoms and
institutions in the partnership—UTSA, UT
UTSA’s Department of Computer Science.
hand sanitizer for providers and staff at UT
bonds that could provide additional benefits
Health San Antonio, Texas Biomedical
Health’s Physicians locations. Labs across
for those infected with the novel coronavirus.
UTSA donated their personal protection equipment (PPE) to UT Health San Antonio,
Frantz then shipped samples of about 250
Research Institute and Southwest Research
“The challenge we had was to build a sur-
help for our practice.”
acuity, and with hundreds of surgeries being
real-world experience for students as well as considerable value to their résumés.
In less than six weeks, the UTSA students were able build the software program,
In the meantime, Shah is onboarding other
which allows Shah to fetch a list of cases.
surgery departments within UT Health to adopt the software.
Institute. The team’s goal is to develop a
gery-scheduling application where Dr. Shah
The program relies on surgery information,
novel vaccine to combat COVID-19 based on
and her team could store information about
such as date of surgery, urgency, authorization to perform surgery, patient readiness,
The UTSA students who collaborated on
including 363 safety glasses, 1,850 surgical
of those compounds to collaborators at The
decades of work on tularemia, a bio-threat
postponed elective surgeries,” Robinson
masks, and 14,176 gloves.
University of Texas Medical Branch at Gal-
also known as rabbit fever caused by the
says. “The hospital’s existing software creat-
cancelations and other criteria. The retrieved
this software program are Jaime Messinger,
veston. Researchers at UTMB Galveston pre-
bacterium Francisella tularensis.
ed lots of problems during the pandemic.”
data is then reported on a spreadsheet pri-
Andrew Noe, Sam Carey and Tyler Mitchell.
oritizing current or upcoming procedures for
Researchers with UTSA’s MATRIX AI Consor-
treated cells infected with SARS-CoV-2, the
tium for Human Well-Being created a website
virus that causes COVID-19, with the com-
Klose has been studying the bacterium
The team delivered a computer program
to help Texans share the location of hard-to-
pounds designed at UTSA. Once the results
F. tularensis since 2001. After his lab discov-
that helped a physician retrieve a list of sur-
the week.
the COVID recovery effort,” says Robinson.
find consumer goods in real time. The web-
are in, Frantz and three UTSA graduate stu-
ered how to inactivate the organism’s ability
geries scheduled for the next two months in
The system also complies with the hospital’s
site harnessed the power of crowd-sourcing
dents as well as scientists of the San Antonio
to cause disease, a live vaccine candidate
less than five minutes—a huge time-saving
strict security standards and integrates
to populate the recovery map with real time
Partnership for Precision Theraputics will
was identified that can induce protection
measure. As businesses ease restrictions,
seamlessly with its security infrastructure.
data. The site also provided information such
work on refining a treatment based on any
against F. tularensis in the lungs. Klose’s
many patients are eager to reschedule elec-
This allows patients to obtain speedier care
as the location of testing sites, mandatory
compounds that show promise. Frantz hopes
team aims to adapt the vaccine to induce
tive operations that were postponed.
as physicians spend more face-to-face time
business closures, travel advisories and a
to develop a treatment to reduce the severity
protection against SARS CoV-2.
4
“Now we can say that we contributed to “We are also ready, should a second COVID wave occur.”
with patients—and less time struggling with their software.
5
UTSA | Catalyst 2020
Unlocking the Mysteries of the Brain UTSA’s Brain Health Consortium is developing precision brain therapies to transform patients’ lives
Catalyst 2020 | UTSA
In 2012, scientists invented a technology that makes changes to DNA in
Dr. Melanie Carless, an associate professor in the Department of Biology,
cells—and holds the potential to create positive endings for stories like
recently joined the consortium. She provides expertise in defining the
Peterson’s. This technology, called CRISPR gene editing, could one day
genetic basis of brain health and furthering the understanding of the
fix mutations that cause a number of genetic diseases. In the future,
biology behind neurological and psychiatric disorders. “One of the most
some genetic diseases maybe be able to be cured as soon as a diagnosis
striking aspects of this consortium is the welcoming and collaborative
is made. Therapies such as CRISPR are developed as a “disease-in-a-
spirit of all members,” she says. “Since arriving, I have been involved in
dish,” a model that recreates the development of human disorders using
developing several new project ideas with other investigators that really
a patient’s stem cells. Drugs are first tested in these cellular models, then
push the boundaries of interdisciplinary research. Efforts such as this will
tested in animals, and finally tested in clinical trials. Using CRISPR and
contribute to UTSA’s mission to advance knowledge through research,
other technologies, UTSA’s Brain Health Consortium (BHC)—recently
discovery and teaching, as well as promote its vision to be a premier
approved as an organized research unit under the Vice President for Re-
public research university.”
search, Economic Development, and Knowledge Enterprise—is already making progress toward a future where the diagnosis of a genetic disease is not a dead end, but instead the first step toward a cure. Researchers at UTSA’s Brain Health Consortium contribute their expertise—in neurodegenerative disease, brain circuitry, traumatic brain injury, regenerative medicine, drug design and psychology—to large-scale research projects that seek to produce a greater understanding of the complex workings of the brain and the factors that lead to its decline.
By Daniel Lockerbie
The consortium focuses on four research areas: neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease), neurodevelopmental disorders (epilepsy, autism), neuropsychiatric disorders (bipolar disorder,
The brain is one of the most fascinating organs in the human body. It is also the most complex, able to perform a seemingly endless number of functions and abilities, all while storing a vast amount of information. But this multifaceted organ is prone to a number of diseases, many of them unexplainable and incurable. What if a genetic diagnosis was the first step toward a cure?
addiction) and traumatic brain injury.
The consortium also offers courses and opportunities for students looking to further their research, such as Kaisha Meyer, who is a second-year
Led by director Dr. Jenny Hsieh, professor of biology and the Semmes
neurobiology Ph.D. student in Hsieh’s lab. “BHC is collaborative and
Foundation Chair in Cell Biology, the UTSA Brain Health Consortium plays
spans several different fields with the common goal of tackling the com-
a pivotal role in furthering our understanding of the brain. “UTSA has
plexities of the brain in health and disease,” says Meyer, who is studying
Cindy Peterson is a 45-year-old woman who exercises regularly and has a healthy diet. So it was a
made a bold effort to become a leader in brain health-related research,
genetic risk variants for Alzheimer’s disease. “In most of science, you
and innovative technologies such as CRISPR, multi-omics analysis and
become focused on a small aspect of human disease and you become an
shock when Peterson had a heart attack a year ago. She was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right
human induced pluripotent stem cells add to our capabilities,” says Hsieh.
expert in that. However, in complex brain diseases, it is essential to un-
ventricular hypertrophy, which means the muscle tissue in the right ventricle dies and is replaced
“This is an exciting time for undergraduate and graduate students to get
derstand the whole picture of what is going on to make effective drugs to
with scar tissue. This disrupts the heart’s electrical signals and causes the heart to beat irregularly.
involved in cutting-edge laboratory research. There’s a great need in the
treat patients. As a student, being a part of a collaborative effort reminds
The treatments for this condition, however, just work short-term, and the only long-term option is
workforce for individuals with scientific intellect and possessing both wet
us how collaboration is key to making real progress.” Meyer is particularly
for Peterson to receive a heart transplant. Peterson went to see a genetic counselor and found out
lab and computational skillsets.”
encouraged by the consortium’s approach to collaboration in the name
she has a mutation in a crucial mitochondrial gene that makes energy for the heart and regulates how it beats. Peterson has two children, a 13-year-old son and a 17-year-old daughter, and genetic sequencing revealed that both of her children have the same cardiac gene mutation. Peterson’s daughter is already showing similar symptoms.
of furthering research. “I think that mentality of collaboration instead of Currently, BHC membership is being established to encompass a broad
isolation is something we can take with us into our own labs and future
spectrum of disciplines, from engineering to education to biology. One
career paths,” she says. “It’s exciting to be involved in a consortium
member, Dr. George Perry, professor of biology and the Semmes Distin-
of scientists with different backgrounds coming together to solve a
guished Chair in Neurobiology at UTSA, has conducted Alzheimer’s
common problem.”
research for nearly 40 years. Perry says “the consortium provides a Illustrations: MimiPrints. All rights reserved.
broader base of expertise,” a valuable advantage he believes benefits his research.
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For more information about the Brain Health Consortium, please visit utsa.edu/bhc. 7
UTSA | Catalyst 2020
Catalyst 2020 | UTSA
The collaborative graduate program in physics with a specialization in
spectrometer that I was the scientific team leader for [from 1992 to 2017],”
space physics prepares students for careers in space physics through
says Waite. “At Europa, we are modeling to plan for future studies of the
research-focused courses and investigations with space flight missions.
ocean composition using the MASPEX [MAss SPectrometer for Planetary
The program offers both master’s and doctoral degrees in physics. Grad-
EXploration] instrument we are building for the upcoming NASA Europa
uate research assistants work on space flight instrumentation alongside
Clipper mission to be launched in 2024. Christine performs geochemical
their advisers through instrumental design, construction and calibration.
modeling as well as participates in the Clipper mission planning and
Program alumni are now employed at various universities, government
MASPEX calibration.”
labs and research institutions, including the European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands, le Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille in France, and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. “The projects at SwRI are usually part of a larger mission that we at SwRI are involved with,” explains Dr. Amanda Bayless, senior research scientist at SwRI and adjoint assistant professor in UTSA’s Physics and Astronomy Department. “For example, I’m on a project called SCORPIO,
Students at other universities do not usually work directly on NASA flight hardware.
which will be a new large camera for the Gemini South Observatory located in Chile. My students are working on ways to identify supernovae in the all-sky surveys and then use SCORPIO and other telescopes to observe the supernovae. One student is also working on the testing and building of the SCORPIO instrument itself.” Participating students
Stronger Together Southwest Research Institute and UTSA’s Department of Physics and Astronomy collaborate to boost student success
enjoy a high level of hands-on learning during their exposure to large
Dr. Rob Ebert, principal scientist in SwRI’s Space Science and Engineering
research ventures. “One of my students last year helped with the
Division and lead adjoint professor in UTSA’s Department of Physics and
testing of a camera for the Lucy spacecraft launching in 2021,” says
Astronomy, says that the program is mutually beneficial. “It enriches the
Bayless. “Students at other universities do not usually work directly
research environment of the institute by enabling collaboration between
on NASA flight hardware.”
SwRI scientists and graduate students,” he explains. “It provides an opportunity for mentorship and training whereby skills and knowledge
Students also benefit from their adviser’s industry knowledge and
are transferred to the next generation of space scientists and space hard-
subject matter expertise. Dr. Hunter Waite, a scientist at SwRI and adjoint
ware developers. It brings more attention and collaboration to SwRI as
professor in UTSA’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, is currently
our UTSA students become integrated within the space community and
modeling geochemical processes in the ocean interiors of Saturn’s
our alumni secure positions at other institutions.”
moon Enceladus and Jupiter’s moon Europa with his graduate student
Headquartered in San Antonio, with office and laboratory locations around the world, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is a nonprofit research and development organization that provides contract research and development services to industrial and government clients. They also use their knowledge to prepare the next generation of scientists: 16 employees in SwRI’s Space Science and Engineering Division teach graduate-level classes and are professor advisers to graduate students in UTSA’s Physics and Astronomy Department.
8
Christine Ray and co-adviser Dr. Christopher Glein. “The Enceladus studies use the data that was collected by the Cassini Ion neutral mass
To learn more about the collaborative graduate program, please visit grad.space.swri.edu.
San Antonio Partnership for Precision Therapeutics In October, Southwest Research Institute, UTSA, UT Health San Antonio and Texas Biomedical Research Institute formed the San Antonio Partnership for Precision Therapeutics (SAPPT), a groundbreaking initiative that leverages the unique bioscience capabilities of all four institutions to address San Antonio’s specific medical needs while serving as a
therapy-development model to improve medical treatment around the world. San Antonio’s ethnic diversity makes it an ideal location for the development of a precision therapeutics model, as the city today reflects the future demographics of the nation. Precision therapeutics focuses on personalized interventions based on genetics, environment
and diet, coupled with the complete drug discovery pathway. The drug discovery pathway includes basic research, lead compound development, formulation, testing, production and clinical trials leading to new FDA-approved treatments. The partnership’s ultimate goal is to create breakthrough treatments that can be targeted to specific patient populations.
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UTSA | Catalyst 2020
Catalyst 2020 | UTSA
Photo courtesy of Don Kirchoff
Bringing Back the Prairie
The Department of Environmental Science and Ecology helps native prairies return to Texas
Despite their best efforts, the family’s initial foray into prairie
roots and evolved with fire, new growth occurs quickly and the
rehabilitation was not an immediate success. “Our first two years
prairie restoration continues. Native mammal and bird populations
of attempts were complete failures because we applied modern
that prefer native grasslands gradually return to the area, which
farming techniques to field preparation and planting native
further increases biodiversity and assists in the restoration of the
seeds,” Don Kirchoff remembers. The Kirchoffs heeded advice
prairie. Some of these native faunae include the savannah sparrow,
to start small—collecting remnant clumps of native plants and
northern cardinal, white-tailed deer and Mexican ground squirrel.
seeds, planting them in trays and then transplanting seedlings to a plot where they could suppress invasive plants. Eventually, they switched to nature’s original method of germination and allowed the seeds to populate the land themselves. Native plants, including switch grass, lotebush and milkweed, have since successfully taken root. Monitoring the landscape is important to ensure that invasive plants do not return. It is also important to document the processes that are successful so others wanting to restore native prairies can learn from these experiences.
By Amber Stillwagon
In 2018, UTSA’s Environmental Science and Ecology Department became involved with the Kirchoff’s native prairie restoration.
Less than 1% of the original 20 million acres of tallgrass prairie in Texas still remain. In partnership with Kirchoff Family Farms, UTSA’s Environmental Science and Ecology Department is working to increase that prairie acreage. The 200 acres in Floresville, Texas, was previously a farm owned by the Kirchoff Don Kirchoff is a passionate advocate for Texas prairies.
Due to agriculture, overgrazing and the reduction of natural fires, the landscape has changed dramatically.
According to Dr. Janis Bush, a plant ecologist and chair of the department, grasslands are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. “Historically, grasslands extended through the central part of the United States from southern Canada to the coast of Texas,” says Bush. “Due to agriculture, overgrazing
family and home to cotton fields, hay fields, and livestock. More
and the reduction of natural fires, the landscape has changed
Perhaps the most important part of restoring the native prairie is
dramatically. With this change, the diversity of plants and animals
the education and outreach component. “In addition to the great
than a century of row crop farming and ranching disturbed
has also decreased. The work that Don and his siblings have done
work in restoring the prairie, the Kirchoffs are using the prairie as a
native vegetation, which prevented the growth of native plants
in restoring this land to native prairie is truly remarkable. On my
way to educate the public on the importance of prairies and biodi-
and modified the habitat for native animals in the area.
visits to the prairie, the diversity of plants and birds is amazing
versity,” Bush says. In addition to collaborating with UTSA, Kirchoff
when compared to other areas which have not been restored.”
Family Farm conducts workshops that allow the public to volunteer and learn in a hands-on way. Prairie Restoration Workdays, which
After Don Kirchoff and siblings Scott, Susan and Brenda inherited the farm in 2008, they decided that the best way to conserve the
Students and faculty are currently conducting research, such
take place the third Saturday of every month, allow participants to
native habitat was to restore the Blackland prairie to its former
as controlled burning, on the farm. During controlled burning,
remove invasive plants and learn how to manage a native prairie
researchers prepare the area by cutting firebreaks to help in
habitat. Don Kirchoff says that education is important in order to
controlling the fire. Depending on the objective, they may use a
get more people involved with the process. “Future generations
back fire, which travels against the wind, moves slowly, and burns
will need properties like ours that in some way are preserving the
the fuels for a longer time at higher temperatures than a head fire.
past so they can guide the future,” he says. “My siblings and I had
A head fire travels with the wind, spreading quickly, and the fuels
the benefit of growing up in an environment surrounded by nature.
wild glory. “Our parents taught us a strong conservation ethic, and we thought we would restore the farm as close to natural conditions as possible as a memorial to our parents,” Don Kirchoff explains. Encouraged by his family’s success with their own property, he eventually founded the San Antonio Chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas, which seeks to
burn at lower temperatures. Since some species may be more
Modern agriculture techniques have all but obliterated that. Hope-
adversely affected than others, depending on the type of fire
fully education and outreach will keep future generations connected
conserve and protect the native prairies in the Lone Star State.
prescribed, the researchers monitor the area and make observations
to the beauty of the natural habitat that is slipping away from us.”
of the characteristics of the plants and soils to determine how they are responding to the fire. The fire is controlled using water, wet burlap bags and the firebreaks. Since native grasses have deep 10
For more information about Kirchoff Family Farm, please visit TexasPrairie.org or call (512) 772-4741. 11
UTSA | Catalyst 2020
Catalyst 2020 | UTSA
The AI Consortium is an interdisciplinary collaboration that fosters
“The consortium is important as it is bringing world-renowned experts
innovative research in AI. The MATRIX brings students, practitioners
together from top institutions within San Antonio to share their
and researchers from multiple institutions under one umbrella,
backgrounds and experience to collaborate and help solve new and
utilizing their unique skillsets to address emerging research chal-
challenging problems using AI in a wide variety of fields,” Mentzer
lenges. Dr. Dhireesha Kudithipudi ’06 is the director of MATRIX. She
says. Other external partners include researchers from UT Health
is a professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer
San Antonio and Texas Biomedical Research Institute.
science, and the Robert F. McDermott Chair in Engineering. Her research expertise is in neurally inspired AI algorithms, AI accelerators,
“The MATRIX AI Consortium at UTSA has brought together researchers
energy-efficient machine learning and novel computing substrates.
from multiple colleges at UTSA and institutions in and around the San Antonio area to leverage these advances and collaboratively address
“The goal of the AI initiative at UTSA is to strategically collaborate
some of the most difficult multidisciplinary research challenges in
and engage with the private sector, academia, the Greater San
these areas,” adds Jadliwala. “Addressing these multidisciplinary
Antonio community and key international partners to advance the
research problems requires significant domain expertise in specific
state of the art with transdisciplinary solutions,” Kudithipudi says.
areas and fields, and the confluence of expertise currently available
“UTSA has been carving a niche in this space with strategic cluster
within MATRIX will definitely help with that challenge.”
hires over the past few years. The university and its partners already
The Promising Reality of Artificial Intelligence
UTSA’s AI Consortium harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems Technological advances in computing capability, access to large datasets and innovative algorithms have increased the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in our daily lives. Recent analyses predict that AI will add approximately $8 trillion in gross value to the U.S. economy by 2035. This technology will
have a strong presence in neuroscience, brain health, cybersecurity
The consortium facilitates training opportunities through seminars,
and applied domains. We are building a new sandbox for research
lab rotations and hackathons that foster innovative transdisciplinary
teaming that builds on these strengths.”
research. The consortium currently has funded research projects from both industry and federal agencies, including the National
MATRIX is composed of external research partners and internal UTSA
Science Foundation, National Institute of Health, Air Force Research
members specializing in computer science, electrical and computer
Laboratory and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
engineering, cybersecurity, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, geoscience, medicine, and psychology. Dr. Sushil Prasad, professor
“I think the consortium’s focus on employing AI and machine learn-
and chair of the Department of Computer Science and a core mem-
ing tools and techniques to address problems that impact human
ber in MATRIX, agrees that the consortium is uniquely positioned to
health and well-being is something very unique and noteworthy,”
address emerging problems in human-aware AI by leveraging the
says Jadliwala. “In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the contin-
broad expertise of its members in a collaborative framework. “Basic
uous threat to human well-being through similar threats, the need
AI algorithms and allied techniques have been around for some time
for such a data- and AI-centric focus on human health has assumed
but have become increasingly effective in solving societal problems
greater significance.” During the pandemic, the consortium published
with the advent of massively parallel computers and accelerators,”
the COVID-19 Resources & Recovery Site, a website that populated a
Prasad says. “Exploration of advanced AI algorithms, software and
recovery map with real-time data so the public could assist with locat-
hardware techniques and their interplay with big data and advanced
ing scarce resources during the pandemic.
cyberinfrastructure will continue. However, opportunities have opened up for deep societal questions to be explored, including
“Our COVID-19 tracking maps for Texas and San Antonio took advan-
how well AI systems can interact with people and how safe, secure
tage of the web-based Geographic Information System (Web GIS):
drive creative solutions for real-world problems in biomedicine, health care
and ethical these are. Such questions call for truly multidisciplinary,
ArcGIS Online, a spatial data science and visualization tool,” says Dr.
delivery, food insecurity, human trafficking, cybersecurity and transportation.
collaborative teams involving all stakeholders, and AI Consortium is
Hongjie Xie, professor and chair of the Department of Geological Sci-
The complexity of these global problems will require a highly prepared work-
creating such collaborations.”
ences. “These maps interactively display the number and progression of confirmed infections, fatalities and administered tests by county or
force capable of managing exponentially expanding volumes of data and
12
utilizing machine learning. MATRIX, the UTSA AI Consortium for human well-
Christopher Mentzer, assistant director of research and development
zip code in real time. This data provides valuable information for fu-
being, is prepared to address these challenges.
at the Southwest Research Institute, co-leads the consortium’s Ma-
ture studies on which factors—including geographic, environmental,
chine Learning and Deployment group alongside assistant professor
demographic, social and economic—would have contributed to such
Dr. Murtuza Jadliwala of UTSA’s Department of Computer Science.
differences spatially and temporally.” 13
Catalyst 2020 | UTSA Photo courtesy of Carolyn Luna
Photo courtesy of George and Letitia Riley
UTSA | Catalyst 2020
Office Hours: Carolyn Luna
Carolyn Luna serves as program director for the San Antonio Virtual and Interactive Geometry Lab.
George ’89 and Letitia Riley ‘87 are proud alumni.
Before she was a mathematics lecturer
from kindergarten to 12th grade,
Luna believes that SAVIG is a valuable
George and Letitia Riley agree that UTSA
intriguing about TED’s vision of inclusive
taken place in 150 countries to date. “All
at UTSA, Carolyn Luna was a high school
participate in culturally responsive
resource for elementary through high
played a critical role in their career and
knowledge sharing that made him recon-
of this content is bubbling up from places
math teacher and, before that, an environ-
mathematics lessons that incorporate
school students and future math educa-
life trajectory. “There’s no reason you
sider their offer. “When I saw the passion
like Bombay and South America,” he
mental science consultant. “I find engag-
the museum’s Texan artifacts and
tors alike. “With the SAVIG lab, UTSA has
can’t get as good as or a better education
and the brains I thought, this does need
says. “It exposes a whole different world
ing in mathematics so rewarding,” says
antique buildings, such as the historic
a bridge to the community so we actually
at UTSA than other universities,” says
to be seen,” says George Riley. “I thought,
to people.”
Luna. “I’ll get stuck in problems and that
one-room schoolhouse.
know and have experience working with
George Riley, ‘89, B.S. mathematics,
I can help make this audience bigger.”
those who we are serving,” she says.
computer science and systems design.
When he started working full time for
can be frustrating, but at the same time,
Although TED has long since grown
Luna estimates that the lab instructs
“I value my time at UTSA highly,” adds
TED in 2007, he joined a small team.
from the original handful of employees,
Going through the intricacies of a math
about 20 different groups of students
Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic
Letitia Riley, ‘87, B.A. humanities. The
The organization operated out of curator
George Riley happily continues working
problem from start to finish is such a good
each year at the ITC, not including the
temporarily stymied face-to-face instruc-
Rileys are now lifetime members of the
Chris Anderson’s loft in New York City, but
as a software architect. “I remain in the
feeling. And I think I’m actually quite slow
off-site school visits that SAVIG conducts
tion at the ITC and prohibited off-site
Alumni Association and enjoy attending
George Riley opted to stay in San Antonio.
same role because I prefer to write code,”
at math because I like to think about the
for schools unable to take a field trip. In
visits. In fall 2020, SAVIG plans to offer
UTSA football games. They believe that
reasoning behind each step. I’m OK with
addition, many children participate in
virtual instruction for school groups.
San Antonio itself is a reason to choose
The first few years at TED presented
own boss. I’m glad I did because there
that, and I want my students to under-
SAVIG-led mathematics activities during
UTSA. “The weather, the people, the
unique challenges for the sole software
are people that are much better at man-
stand you don’t have to be fast at calcu-
the museum’s free Family Days. With
engage even more students in creative,
culture and feel of San Antonio are
engineer and the only employee working
aging people and looking at long-term
lations to be good at math; it’s all right to
the help of enthusiastic volunteers and
meaningful, and culturally responsive
important reasons we are still here,”
remotely from San Antonio. “I was the
strategic goals. I don’t enjoy that, and
mathematics,” says Luna.
says George Riley. “We had plenty of
single software engineer on staff, but we
I don’t think I’m very good at it.” What
chances to live and work in San Francisco
were actually hosting here at Rackspace
he is very good at is writing code. He
or New York but chose to stay here.”
[in San Antonio],” George Riley says.
built TED’s first translation platform that
“I chose Rackspace because they were
allowed anyone to view a TED talk with
I just find it so satisfying and worthwhile.
“Taking our lessons online will help us
he explains. “I basically had to hire my
make mistakes and take your time.” When
creative programming, the lab hopes to
she is not teaching at UTSA, Luna enjoys
show kids that math is fun. “I think a lot
leading lessons for visiting school groups
of children do not see the application
at the San Antonio Virtual and Interactive
of mathematics,” Luna explains. “They
Geometry Lab (SAVIG), where she serves
think math is just done inside their school
George Riley hesitated when he origi-
the perfect kind of hosting company
subtitles in their language. “There’s noth-
as program director.
classroom on worksheets. They don’t see
nally received a job offer from a young
for a company like TED.”
ing more rewarding than writing good
the connection between what they’re
nonprofit called TED. “No life insurance,
Find more Office Hours features on our website: utsa.edu/sciences.
code,” he says. “Writing good code is like
learning at school to what they experience
no health insurance,” remembers Letitia
In addition to helping set up TED’s
writing poetry. When I do it well, it’s like
Norman and Dr. Stephen Juhasz, SAVIG
in the outside world, and how interesting
Riley. “He politely turned them down.
digital platform, he played an important
a masterpiece, and when I do it wrong,
is housed in the Institute of Texan Cultures
and creative and social mathematics can
Thankfully, they persisted. The next time
role in launching TEDx. TEDx allows local
I hope no one ever reads it.”
(ITC). The lab is run by the Math Depart-
be. Kids often don’t see the joy involved.
they asked us to come to New York.
communities to license the TED brand
ment and facilitated by both UTSA faculty
Sometimes kids are surprised when
They could have had anybody, but they
and independently organize TED-like
and volunteer instructors. School groups,
they’re having fun working in the lab.”
wanted George.” There was something
events. Over 13,000 TEDx events have
Launched in 2004 by UTSA’s Dr. Sandy
14
Awesome Alum: George Riley
15
UTSA | Catalyst 2020
#ThisIs WhatA Scientist Looks Like 16
Catalyst 2020 | UTSA
Abigail Munteanu By Catherine Walsh Abigail “Abi” Munteanu’s journey to UTSA began when she found out about scholarships, something that would change her life forever. “The cost was always a concern,” recalls Munteanu. “When I was 11, I heard that schools will pay you to go to school if you do well enough.” Munteanu’s parents immigrated from Romania to Seattle at ages 18 and 19 and moved to California when her older sister was very young. After the 2008 stock market collapse, the family relocated to Texas to start over. Her family’s financial struggle had a profound impact on Munteanu and motivated her to excel academically. “When I heard what scholarships were, I promised myself from that day on that I would work really hard in school. I knew where I wanted to go with my future,” she says. “My sister helped and pushed me
Munteanu is actively involved in multiple clubs at UTSA,
through high school, where I graduated first in my class.”
including the Student Affiliate Chapter of the American Chemical Society and the Dean’s Ambassadors. She also
Now a third-year student in UTSA’s biochemistry
is a member of the American Medical Student Association,
program, Munteanu is the recipient of two scholar-
which works with a local rehabilitation center that helps
ships: the Distinguished Presidential Scholarship and
children, adults and felons transition back into society.
the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Scholarship. She is currently researching green chemistry, which
Driven by her desire to help others, Munteanu’s ultimate
identifies chemicals that are safe for the environment.
goal is to attend medical school in Texas. Because she
In Dr. Karl E. Klose’s microbiology lab, Munteanu is
was accepted into the Joint Admissions Medical Program
also researching vibrio cholerae, a bacterium that
(JAMP) at UTSA, Munteanu has the opportunity to attend
causes severe dehydration and affects people pri-
any medical school in Texas that has JAMP affiliation. “I am
marily in developing nations. “Our goal in the lab is to
keeping an open mind about what area of medicine I want
find a vaccine,” she explains. “When you go into the
to pursue,” says Munteanu. “There are so many areas of
lab, you don’t know what you’re going to expect and
the human body to explore, and you don’t actually know
can spend hours researching. But I always enjoy it.”
what you will fall in love with until you experience it.”
17
UTSA | Catalyst 2020
Catalyst 2020 | UTSA
Finis Stribling IV
Carol Chase
Finis Stribling IV wants to understand everything. “Look-
If you summarize the last 10 years of Carol Chase’s life,
ing at physics, it’s just fascinating how the majority of
it sounds something like this: Chase graduates from
everything can be explained through science,” he says.
Brigham Young University in Hawaii, serves on a church
“When you get deep into it, there’s a lot of things that
mission in Canada, works as a lab technician at Pioneer
are not answered, but the fact that they aren’t answered
Flour Mills, earns her master’s degree at UTSA, begins
makes you want to learn more. It’s like solving a giant
Stribling is currently researching circumstellar maser (an
her Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology at UTSA, gives
Chase’s son, Teddy, was born during her second year in the
puzzle.” Stribling is a physics master’s student who plans
acronym for microwave amplification by stimulated emission
birth to a son, and continues her doctoral work. “My path
program. “I remember being up at 3 a.m. with a crying baby
to pursue his doctoral degree and become a professor.
of radiation) emissions. “More specifically, I look at these
“The word, physics, intimidates pretty much everyone,” he
to getting here was not very direct,” Chase says with a
and then having to do a presentation that morning,” she
masers in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars,” Stribling
says. “I feel like that prevents people getting into this field
laugh. “I was a gravy and flour tester. It was a good job
says. During the particularly difficult days, Chase considered
adds. “AGB stars are older stars, similar to our sun, that have
of STEM. I want to be able to simplify this complex topic to
and paid well and had good benefits, but I wanted to
leaving for a less demanding job. “I would look at the other
mainly carbon and oxygen cores. There is evidence that
where it is easily understandable.”
do something more and do more research.”
suggests that these maser emissions are connected to
people and think, I don’t fit in anymore,” she remembers.
clumps of molecular gas in ionized regions of planetary Growing up in Nashville, Tennessee, Stribling was a curi-
nebula (cometary knots).”
ous kid who enjoyed learning about science. He thought he would study criminal justice and forensic science in
Motivated by his own experience as a minority in STEM,
college, but a physics class during his senior year of high
Stribling is passionate about educational outreach. “There
school changed everything. “I had that ‘aha’ moment of
is a stigma to being African-American with dread hair,” he
this is what I want to do,” he remembers. In college, phys-
says. “When I was walking for my undergrad, one of my
ics helped Stribling improve his game as a defensive back
teammates told me a lady in the crowd said I didn’t look
on the University of Missouri’s football team. “I feel like
like a scientist.” Along with several other UTSA students,
I understood the game differently,” he remembers, noting
Stribling established the Black Students in STEM Asso-
his knowledge of physics assisted his understanding of
ciation. “We felt like it was important to have a group on
trajectory, motion and taking the shortest path.
campus that has some inclusivity with the African-American population,” he explains. “My personal goal is to work on
“But I worked through it. I love what I’m doing, and I think Chase discovered her passion for immunology while vol-
it’s important. I just kept showing up and doing it.”
unteering in Dr. Thomas Forsthuber’s autoimmunity lab. Now a Ph.D. candidate, Chase is looking for blood bio-
Chase is grateful for the support of UTSA’s Research Initiative
markers to monitor the progression of multiple sclerosis
for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) community, a federally
(MS). “Most people can spend the majority of their life in
funded program that provides financial and professional
what you would call remission with little symptoms. They
development support for underrepresented students. “They
are always at risk of having a relapse,” Chase explains.
gave me a community that I belong to,” she says. “When I
“There are no medical tests for that and no way of moni-
didn’t necessarily feel like I fit in that well, I always fit in there.”
toring that. I’m trying to find proteins in the blood that you can test in patients that will give you an idea of if they are
With the end of her doctoral journey in sight, Chase is looking
going to have a relapse and if their disease is progressing
forward to a future in immunology research. Her dream is to
or getting worse.”
work at the National Institutes of Health. “I want to become someone that my son would be proud of and look up to,
As a student at the University of Missouri, Stribling
community and outreach. If there is a young Black kid that
worked with Dr. Angela Speck, who is now chair of UTSA’s
wants to get into STEM but is deterred because they’re
Chase hopes that her findings will help MS patients expe-
which sometimes means making sacrifices and doing difficult
Department of Physics and Astronomy. Stribling says
Black, I’d like to be one of those figures. Just seeing some-
rience a better quality of life. “I always tell my mom, this
things so he can see that education is important, serving
Speck was one of the reasons he chose to continue his
one in that field can make all the difference.”
is important and someone has to do it,” she says. “And I
other people is important, and it’s worth making those sacri-
want to do it.”
fices,” she says.
graduate education at UTSA. “She is not only a great supervisor but a great mentor as a whole,” he says. “She cares about more than just my academics. She asks me
Follow the Black Students in STEM Association on Instagram (@bssa.utsa) and Twitter (@bssautsa).
how I’m doing.” 18
19
A Strong Foundation By Taylor Bird
GIVING
A Generous Tradition The Elmendorfs are proud champions of UTeachSA.
By Taylor Bird
Photo courtesy of AnnDee Ladensohn Steidel
GIVING
Catalyst 2020 | UTSA
Photo courtesy of Dirk and Annie Elmendorf
UTSA | Catalyst 2020
AnnDee, Sydney and David support Alzheimer’s research at UTSA.
“Knowing there is world-class, basic research in Alzheimer’s
In both business and philanthropy, Dirk and Annie
recruitment, preparation and retention program and to grow
Elmendorf believe in starting from the ground up.
the pipeline of highly qualified math and science teachers in
“Backwards, forwards, upside down, inside out, until
San Antonio. Graduates of the program simultaneously earn
As children, AnnDee, Sydney and David Ladensohn saw
with the matching opportunity, we threaded the needle. It was
you’re living and dreaming and breathing it,” says Dirk
their teaching certification and their degree in a STEM field in
the value and joy of philanthropy. The San Antonio natives
a combination made in heaven,” said David Ladensohn.
Elmendorf, one of the three founders of Rackspace
four years.
watched their grandfather and parents give to charitable
Technology, the highly successful cloud computing
It all started at home.
at UTSA, with the development team’s encouragement and
causes throughout the city. Now the siblings are following
The Ladensohns take every opportunity they have to spread
company based in the San Antonio area. The Elmendorfs’
“Math can be the gateway to more science. If you can’t do
that example with the Jean and Kenneth Ladensohn
the good word about UTSA. They enjoy sharing news of the
holistic approach to ensuring educational success starts
the math in science, you don’t get to stay in science,” Dirk
Endowed Research Fund in the College of Sciences,
latest research developments and excellent faculty with
with preparing the next generation of teachers.
Elmendorf says.
established in memory of their parents and in support of
friends and colleagues.
research in Alzheimer’s disease. “I wasn’t encouraged to do more than the bare minimum
The Elmendorfs believe that teachers who are passionate
in math, and I came from a place where [I thought]
enough about math or science to earn their degree in a STEM
this wasn’t going to be applied in real life,” says Annie
discipline are more likely to inspire that interest in their stu-
Elmendorf. “Because of that, I feel very strongly about
dents. They feel strongly that keeping kids engaged in math
instilling in my kids the confidence to not be intimidated
and science, starting as early as possible, helps broaden their
by math, to understand the value of math and science.”
opportunities into adulthood.
Inspired by their own academic experiences, the Elmen-
The Elmendorfs are ensuring the next generation has the best
dorfs believe great teachers play a critical role in building
foundation to solve the problems of tomorrow. Through their
that confidence and appreciation for math and science.
giving, they hope to inspire others to invest in the next genera-
That’s why they established the Elmendorf Family Fund
tion of teachers, too.
for UTeachSA to support the College of Sciences’ teacher
“Our mother had a tender heart, and we grew up with the example of our parents giving to all kinds of causes in San Antonio,” says AnnDee Ladensohn Steidel. “This was their city, and very young we experienced the pleasures of giving to organizations here.”
“UTSA is our university,” said Steidel. “We are thrilled with our gift and are very happy to be able to participate. With an endowment, you can keep giving to it. It is the gift that keeps on giving.” Their parents would be proud.
After their mother developed Alzheimer’s disease and passed away, Steidel and her siblings knew they wanted to support research toward a cure that could help other families. They learned of the world-renowned Alzheimer’s scientists working at UTSA and of a matching opportunity for gifts made to the university from the Texas state legislature.
20
21
Catalyst 2020 | UTSA
GIVING
GIVING
UTSA’s Next Generation of Researchers
A Legacy of Student Success
By Jordan Allen
Dr. Doug Frantz is preparing the next generation of scientists.
By Taylor Bird
Photo courtesy of Dr. Craig Jordan
UTSA | Catalyst 2020
The Jordans are passionate about helping students thrive in the College of Sciences.
Dr. Doug Frantz’s legacy is his students; they are his
“The Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund has been critical
For over four decades, from professor to senior associate
That mentoring continues after students leave UTSA and through-
reason for dedicating his life to research at UTSA. Frantz
in getting my research off the ground here at UTSA…. I am
dean, Dr. Craig Jordan has been committed to helping students
out their professional careers. The Jordans chose to establish an
says he was drawn to UTSA’s vast potential for growth in
indebted to the Voelcker Fund. I know they’re going to be a
succeed in the College of Sciences. His wife, Arcie, witnessed
endowment to ensure their vision is carried on in perpetuity.
the Department of Chemistry, where his lab studies the
huge part of us moving forward.”
his efforts firsthand. “Craig and I inherited a love of learning from our respective
mechanisms of stem cell differentiation and cancer. He credits the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund
The primary goal of the Voelcker Fund is to support research
Inspired by an experience with an undergraduate student
parents who each placed a premium on education and who
Endowed Distinguished Professorship in Chemistry with
that finds cures for medical diseases. Banks Smith, a Voelcker
during which Craig Jordan tasked the student with giving
supported educational outreach in various ways. This endow-
allowing him to train the next generation of scientists
Fund trustee, says he has been extremely impressed by UTSA
feedback on his introductory biology course and developing
ment allows us to create a legacy in the name of something that
while conducting his own research.
and its College of Sciences in the pursuit of medical cures.
course material for the class (which he still uses to this day),
is important to us. It communicates to the students that this is
he approached his wife about establishing the Arcie and Craig
something we really care about: We care about teaching, we
Jordan Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Sciences.
care about developing students, and we care enough about it to
Voelcker Fund trustees are passionate about supporting Frantz says that having the support of the Max and
medical research for several reasons, one being the excitement
Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund Endowed Distinguished
among the researchers themselves. They understand that
Professorship in Chemistry is critical to maintaining and
their dedication is a critical aspect to elevating UTSA as a top
increasing UTSA’s trajectory in research and creating
research institution in the country.
opportunities for himself and his students. He believes students benefit the most from the endowment, which
“Why UTSA? Because it is a tremendous research institution
enables him to offer fellowships for his students, allowing
and research is the focus of the Voelcker Fund…. The quality of
them to spend more time researching rather than juggling
the faculty at UTSA is reflected in the quality of their research,
classes, off-campus jobs and time in the lab.
and it is excellent,” Smith said.
“It’s clear that the Voelcker Fund believes in what we do here at UTSA. It’s been incredibly supportive in our ability to attract the best and brightest students,” Frantz said. Ultimately, Frantz seeks to translate his basic discoveries
put our name on it and to fund it at a level that is self-sustaining “Craig is a fabulous professor,” says Arcie Jordan. “He really
and will grow over time,” Arcie Jordan says.
cares about students and wants them to grow. I remember my days in a large university setting and how difficult it was
“We chose to establish an endowment to ensure the longevity
to get the personal attention that I needed and that I saw other
of this program. We now have a reservoir to which we can add
students needed from professors who were more focused on
so that, in the future, even more students can be supported,”
their research than imparting their knowledge to students.
Craig Jordan adds.
I saw this [scholarship] as a way to support the development of teaching as a goal, and teaching students, inspiring them
After working closely with and getting to know that first student,
and helping them to grow. That in and of itself is such a laud-
Craig Jordan wrote a glowing recommendation letter for her
able goal.”
medical school application. She received a full academic scholarship plus an additional $20,000. Through the Arcie and Craig
The Jordans’ scholarship also nurtures excellent instruction
Jordan Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Sciences, the
in the College of Sciences. Students who receive this schol-
Jordans hope to be the catalyst for many more success stories.
into treatments for patients that will end up in their
arship work closely with a faculty member in the College of
medicine cabinets. He even has his eye on opening
Sciences to create curriculum and course materials for a class.
his own company in San Antonio, benefitting the city and UTSA. 22
23
UTSA | Catalyst 2020
Meet the New Science and Engineering Building
The Science and Engineering Building houses laboratory, classroom and collaborative space.
The newly opened, $95 million Science and Engineering Building (SEB) was the largest construction project in UTSA history. The 153,000-square-foot facility provides laboratory, classroom and collaborative space for academic and research programs in brain health, chemical engineering, biology and chemistry. Many of the laboratories in the building are surrounded in glass so students and visitors can witness the work underway, a concept known as science on display. The collaborative design encourages interaction among students from different majors, which has been shown to engage more students in research and improve student retention and graduation rates. The SEB features 17,000 square feet of makerspace where engineering students design, test and fabricate their senior projects; a dedicated space for the students, faculty and staff in UTSA’s Brain Health Consortium; and a two-story distillation column for chemical engineering research. In the innovative biology and chemistry instructional laboratories, undergraduate students have the opportunity to both learn from lab classes and participate in research with UTSA’s world-class faculty. SEB is the first new building at UTSA since the North Paseo Building opened in 2014.
24
The University of Texas at San Antonio One UTSA Circle San Antonio, Texas 78249
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID
San Antonio, TX Permit No. 2474
Computer science students experience the power of immersive technology such as the Merge Cube to learn about virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality. This holographic toy allows users to physically hold and interact with 3D objects using AR technology.
