Catalyst Spring 2020-2021 - COS

2020-2021

CATALYST Digitizing Dinosaur Tracks • Propelling Experiential Learning Counting on Student Success • #ThisIsWhatAScientistLooksLike

The Magazine of The College of Sciences at The University of Texas at San Antonio

CATALYST

Contents

Dean: David R. Silva, Ph.D. Editor and Writer: Lauren Moriarty

Message from the Dean

1

Graphic Designer: Coral Díaz Copyeditor: Ashley Festa

Congratulations

2

Good to Know

3

Introducing the Institute for Water Research, Sustainability and Policy

4

UTSA Duo Develops Cure for Virtual Reality-Induced Motion Sickness

5

Digitizing Dinosaur Tracks Propelling Experiential Learning Counting on Student Success

6 8 10

Student Writers: Alex Roush, Amber Powell, Cecilia Nwaichi, Daniel Castella, Jalen Ray, Robert Salinas, Sofia Garcia Contributing Writers: Bruce Forey, Keith Herndon, Taylor Bird

COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs: Kelly Nash, Ph.D. Associate Dean for Graduate Studies: Janis Bush, Ph.D. Associate Dean for Research: Jose Lopez-Ribot, Pharm.D./Ph.D. Associate Dean for Student Success and Instructional Innovation: Edwin Barea-Rodriguez, Ph.D. Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies: Timothy Yuen, Ph.D.

UTSA Club Cracks the Code for Competitive Job Candidates

12

Office Hours: Dr. Terri Matiella

14

Assistant Dean for Remote Instruction: Terri Matiella, Ph.D.

Awesome Alum: Dr. Sarah K. Vines and Dr. Robert C. Allen

15

Senior Executive Development Officer: Kim Fischer

#ThisIsWhatAScientistLooksLike

16

Cover illustration: Ziqi Yu

Giving

20

Cypress Living Laboratory

24

Assistant Dean for Fiscal Administration: Mike Findeisen

Catalyst is the biannual 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 it highlights achievements in research, scholarship and community outreach.

The College of Sciences One UTSA Circle San Antonio, Texas 78249 (210) 458-4450 www.utsa.edu/sciences

facebook.com/UTSASciences twitter.com/UTSASciences instagram.com/utsa.collegeofsciences linkedin.com/school/utsa-college-of-sciences

Catalyst 2020-2021 | UTSA

Student Writers Alex Roush Environmental Science

Amber Powell Multidisciplinary Studies

Message from the Dean Greetings from the College of Sciences. This has been a remarkable year for our college in many

Cecilia Nwaichi

ways, and I’m excited to share some of the highlights with you in the following pages.

Biology

The pandemic and resulting move to online instruction created both opportunities and challenges for us. I am happy to report that students are making excellent progress in their programs despite

Daniel Castella Chemistry

the interruption and additional hurdles. We currently instruct about 5,000 College of Sciences majors and also connect with around 9,000 additional UTSA students through our service classes.

This unprecedented period has given us the opportunity to explore and identify improved methods of instructional delivery, pedagogy, and academic innovation.

Jalen Ray

At the same time, I want to recognize that we understand this was a huge effort for everyone in-

Environmental Science

and that this was not the engaging, forward-looking experience they expected going into the year.

Robert Salinas

and faculty.

volved. We strive to get better each day, but we know many students were put in difficult positions Online instruction is a tool that we expect will become an increasingly important part of our portfolio in the future, and we look forward to continuing to improve the experience for our students

Geology

In the meantime, we are forging ahead with our research enterprise. It is remarkable that, in the face of the pandemic, our research scholars have continued to make progress. We have main-

Sofia Garcia Digital Communication

tained a similar level of productivity as in the previous year, measured by publications, research expenditures and awards received, as well as patents granted. Given the circumstances, this is a huge victory.

I hope we will be talking about our triumphant return to campus in the next issue of Catalyst. Until

Student Artists Jake Lehle Cell & Molecular Biology

then, I thank you for your continued support of our college and our students.

Sincerely,

Coming soon—the new School of Data Science!

DAVID R. SILVA, PH.D. Distinguished Professor, Physics and Astronomy Dean, College of Sciences

Ziqi Yu Chemistry

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UTSA | Catalyst 2020-2021

Congratulations u D r.

Wei Wang (Computer Science) helped develop an algo-

rithm that keeps up with the demand of cloud computing. u D r.

John Quarles (Computer Science) and doctoral student

Samuel Ang developed an open-source software kit designed to reduce cybersickness in virtual reality use. u T rustees

of the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund

awarded Dr. Doug Frantz (Chemistry) $883,000 to establish the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Center for Innovative Drug Discovery (CIDD) Preclinical Pharmacology Core for Accelerated Drug Discovery. The core will be part of UTSA’s CIDD. u D r.

Doug Frantz (Chemistry) and Dr. Shawn Blumberg, from

the direction of Dr. Aimin Liu (Chemistry), a team of

researchers discovered how a key enzyme in amino acid metabolism works. This important discovery will enable scientists to target the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway, or KP, as a therapeutic for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. u UTSA’s

NASA Center for Advanced Measurements in Extreme

Environments hosted its inaugural conference. UTSA researchers, external partners and students presented their research in a virtual format. u Dr.

Edwin Barea-Rodriguez (Biology) was featured in Cell Men-

tor’s list of 100 inspiring Hispanic/Latinx scientists in America. u The

Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas awarded

Southwest Research Institute, received a grant from the

Dr. Hyoung-gon Lee (Biology) $250,000. The two-year grant

Connecting through Research Partnerships program to

will fund Lee’s research, which seeks to understand the patho-

support their goal of creating a powerful, cost-effective

genic mechanism of peripheral neuropathy and to develop a

malarial treatment.

novel therapeutic approach.

u I n

recognition of her research contributions and service

u A

team of UTSA students was selected by NASA to compete

to the ornithological community, Dr. Jennifer Smith (Envi-

in NASA Student Launch, a prestigious rocket-building

ronmental Science and Ecology) was elected as an Elective

competition.

Member of the American Ornithological Society. u D r.

Nicole Wicha received a fellowship from the Aspire

u Dr.

Doug Frantz (Chemistry) received an award from the San

Antonio Medical Foundation to support his collaborative work

Alliance and UTSA to participate in the IAspire Leadership

with UT Health San Antonio and SwRI on a novel approach for

Academy. IAspire helps STEM faculty from underrepresented

COVID-19 drug discovery.

backgrounds ascend to leadership roles at institutions of higher learning. u D r.

Jenny Hsieh (Biology) was inducted into the Academy

of Distinguished Researchers. u D r.

Alexis Godet (Geological Sciences) was awarded a presti-

gious Lutcher Brown Professorship. u D r.

Ravi Sandhu (Computer Science) was inducted into the

National Academy of Inventors (NAI) as an NAI Fellow.

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u Under

u A

team of researchers from UTSA’s Neurosciences Institute

made a breakthrough discovery on brain cortex functionality.

Dr. Alice Bertero, Hector Zurita, Dr. Marc Normandin, and Dr. Alfonso Junior Apicella, researchers from the Department of Biology, collaborated on the research project. u Marcelo

Marucho (Physics & Astronomy) published an

open-access software designed to further characterize cytoskeleton filaments.

Catalyst 2020-2021 | UTSA

Good to Know Center for Innovative Drug Discovery

Dr. Stanton McHardy (center) and members of the Center for Innovative Drug Discovery

UTSA’s Center for Innovative Drug Discovery (CIDD) is a joint venture

and contract research funding, with over $6 million coming directly

between UTSA and UT Health San Antonio. The center is composed of

to the CIDD. The CIDD is also actively engaged with the San Antonio

two facilities: a High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Facility located at

Partnership for Precision Therapeutics, supporting collaborations

UT Health San Antonio and a Medicinal Chemistry and Synthesis Core

between UTSA, UT Health San Antonio, Southwest Research Institute

Facility at UTSA.

(SwRI) and Texas BioMed.

Led by director and co-founder Dr. Stanton McHardy, the CIDD provides

“The CIDD not only collaborates with other institutions but also does

diverse core facilities and expertise with the goal of facilitating the

contract work with companies and private clients in the USA,” said

translation of basic scientific discoveries into tangible preclinical

Dr. Karinel Nieves-Merced, a researcher with the CIDD. “Our chemical

candidate drugs that can be further developed into clinical therapies

portfolio includes the design and synthesis of complex natural

for human disease.

products, sugars, steroids, amino acids, and PROTACs, Proteolysis

Researchers in the CIDD work collaboratively with investigators from

Targeting Chimera.”

around Texas and the nation to develop small-molecule therapies for

The CIDD’s long-term strategic growth plan includes developing new

disease areas such as cancer, non-opioid pain management, diabetes

areas of drug discovery research and providing additional training

and infectious diseases, including COVID-19. In the CIDD’s medicinal

and education opportunities for UTSA students. Recently, the trustees

chemistry lab, researchers design small molecules to optimize

of the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund awarded the College

biological activity and develop efficient synthesis routes to prepare

of Sciences and Frantz $883,000 to establish the Max and Minnie

the molecules to support structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.

Tomerlin Voelcker CIDD Preclinical Pharmacology Core for Accelerated

The multidisciplinary programs the CIDD is involved with provide CIDD

Drug Discovery. Housed within the CIDD, the core’s cutting-edge, late-

staff and UTSA chemistry students the opportunity to interact with

stage preclinical pharmacology and translational drug development

collaborators from areas such as molecular biology, pharmacology,

capabilities will synergize with existing CIDD capabilities and help

structural biology and biochemistry.

researchers launch new therapies for cancer, cardiovascular disease,

The CIDD was established with generous support from the Max and

infectious diseases and other conditions.

Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund, including endowments for CIDD co-

UTSA students in the CIDD and McHardy labs have a unique opportunity

founders Dr. Doug Frantz and McHardy, as well as startup support from

to engage in collaborative research in an industrial-type setting, along

the San Antonio Life Sciences Institute and a UT Library, Equipment,

with state-of-the-art instrumentation and technologies, which provides

Repair and Rehabilitation (LERR) grant. The CIDD is now supported by

an incredible training platform for the next generation of drug discovery

multiple state and federal extramural funding agencies such as the

scientists.

National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).

“The research setting in the CIDD and associated technologies, training and resources are unmatched in Texas,” McHardy said. “UTSA students

In addition to its academic partners, the CIDD collaborates with

are uniquely positioned to learn industry-level medicinal chemistry

multiple pharmaceutical industry partners providing contractual

concepts. The momentum and excitement in this area at both UTSA and

research support for drug discovery programs. Since 2012, the CIDD

UT Health San Antonio is now fueling the development of a new cross-

and McHardy have secured over $15 million in extramural funding

disciplinary graduate-level degree program in drug discovery.”

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UTSA | Catalyst 2020-2021

Introducing the Institute for Water Research, Sustainability and Policy UTSA has launched the Institute for Water Research, Sustainability

“Since its very inception, this institute has been designed as a

and Policy, bringing together faculty across UTSA to collaborate in

comprehensive and highly collaborative unit, with members across

the areas of water quality, water quantity, flood control and water

all disciplines representing every college at UTSA,” said Dr. Jose

policy. Researchers will study the effect of climate change on water

Lopez-Ribot, associate dean for research in the College of Sciences.

resources in the San Antonio area, South Texas region, I-10 corridor

“As such, the new institute is truly transdisciplinary in nature.

and the United States–Mexico border. They have future plans to

The institute places UTSA in a unique position to address water

expand their studies to include national and international water

challenges in San Antonio, Texas, and beyond, both in the present

issues and solutions.

and the future.”

“An institute based on water research is absolutely needed in the

The institute’s core faculty includes researchers from the College of

part of Texas where we live,” said institute director Dr. Saugata

Sciences; College of Engineering; College of Health, Community and

Datta, who is the Dr. Weldon W. Hammond Jr. Endowed Distinguished

Policy; College of Language and Fine Arts; and College of Education.

Professor in Hydrogeology. “There was a need for understanding water availability, quantity, and various other aspects of water in

“UTSA has a rich history of interdisciplinary collaboration in all

terms of public health and economics because water plays a big

areas related to water, which has strengthened our ties to the San

role in the economy of the city and state. The societal impact of

Antonio community and our region and has poised us to guide water

water issues is significantly important in a state like Texas.”

policies in similar regions,” said Dr. JoAnn Browning, dean of the College of Engineering. “This institute bridges multiple administrative

The institute will investigate multidisciplinary water issues such as

structures to enable cross-cutting research that will shape the future

hydro-terrorism and the food-water-energy nexus across regional,

of our cities and hometowns.”

national and international political boundaries.

Students will have access to cutting-edge technology in various “UTSA is in a pivotal geographical and political junction as well as the

laboratories across campus that are now part of the center’s

future sustainability scenario,” Datta said. “UTSA is playing a big role,

umbrella of water research. They will also have the opportunity to

and one of the roles that can bring multiple scholars, researchers

participate in novel approaches to laboratory-, field- and modeling-

and students together is the theme of water. Water permeates every

based studies as they learn more about water science.

aspect of the disciplines at UTSA. I couldn’t imagine anyone better than UTSA to take the lead on water.”

The institute plans to offer certificate-level courses and will implement master’s and doctoral programs in the near future.

In addition to geopolitical water research, members of the institute will seek to understand the resiliency of San Antonio’s drinking water resources and coastal water resources. Researchers from various

“The Institute for Water Research, Sustainability and Policy is an essential resource for the San Antonio community,” said Dr. David

disciplines will study the effects of hydrological processes, flood

Silva, dean of the College of Sciences. “Our growing population and

control, water quality, human behavior, remediation, and impacts

ongoing drought issues demand creative, science-based solutions.

on human and ecosystem health arising from stressors on coastal

I am confident that the collaborative research coming out of this

water resources.

institute will positively impact San Antonio’s future.”

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Catalyst 2020-2021 | UTSA

UTSA Duo Develops Cure for Virtual Reality-Induced Motion Sickness

By Jalen Ray In an ongoing battle to make video games as realistic as possible,

In his research, Ang found one of the main reasons users get sick in

game designers often implement virtual reality (VR) technology

VR is due to how realistic the experience is. “Everyone is different, but

within their games. Wearing a goggle-like headset that displays a

looking through literature we found that when a game’s graphics are

screen in front of the user, the player can see what the character sees

really good or there is a wide and more realistic field of view, motion

and can control the character through physical movements. This sort

sickness is more likely to occur,” Ang said.

of technology is revolutionary in the video game industry, allowing players to have a true first-person experience as they battle zombies

To combat this, Ang focused on implementing eight tactics in the

or fight their way through a war in outer space.

software that decrease the overall realism of the game during the moments when motion sickness is most prevalent. These

However, for many users, nausea and motion sickness get in the

tactics include automatically manipulating the field of view for the

way of enjoying this technology. In response to this issue, associate

player, such as blurring out the user’s peripheral vision. Quarles notes,

professor Dr. John Quarles and graduate student Samuel Ang from

however, that intruding into the user’s VR experience is a drawback.

the Department of Computer Science created GingerVR. It took Ang most of the summer to create GingerVR. “It started out GingerVR is an open-source toolkit that incorporates a variety of

as just a concept,” Quarles explained, “and I asked Sam to take a

techniques known to decrease motion sickness and applies them

further look into it.” Though the initial creation is complete, Ang is

when necessary while someone is playing. The system was named

not yet done with the software. With so little information on VR-

after the ginger root, commonly used to ease nausea.

induced motion sickness available, Ang is doing more holistic research to find concrete explanations as to why some users

“The plan is that game developers and researchers alike will use this

experience these symptoms.

software to pick and choose what tactics they want implemented within their game,” Ang explained. This revolutionary software

Ang is investigating the idea of incorporating a stationary object

platform allows users to easily access multiple tactics at once. Ang

in the players’ field of view, like a visible nose at the bottom of the

and Quarles hope other researchers will use the software to make

screen, while they play the game. This idea is based off the theory

improvements. Their goal is to bring an end to VR-induced motion

that we use stationary objects in our everyday life to keep us oriented.

sickness entirely.

Ang and Quarles have other ideas, too.

Video games aren’t the only arena where virtual reality is used.

“With more research, we would like to create a system where artificial

Applications for this technology exist in just about every sector of

intelligence automatically chooses the reduction technique based

the economy—from architecture, engineering and construction

on the player’s physiological response, such as heart rate or level of

to hospitals and schools—offering the potential to take job and

breathing,” Quarles explained.

student performance to the next level. One survey found that half of companies in these industries plan to incorporate extended reality, which includes VR, within the next two years. With GingerVR, an employee or student can go through a simulation without worrying about performing the task incorrectly due to motion sickness.

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UTSA | Catalyst 2020-2021

Illustration: Ziqi Yu

Digitizing Dinosaur Tracks

A UTSA-based team is changing the footprint of Texas paleontology

By Daniel Castella Around 125 million years before the foundation of Texas, a different kind of society was roaming its vast canyons, fertile plains and lofty mountains: that of the dinosaurs. Now, a San Antonio-based group of geoscientists is studying—and digitizing—ancient tracks imprinted in the terrain of the Lone Star State to gain new insight into the environment and behavior of these prehistoric beasts.

“Texas dinosaur footprints have been studied since the 1930s but never in this detail,” said Dr. Thomas Adams, curator of paleontology and geology at the Witte Museum in San Antonio. “They occur in 24 separate counties, with multiple localities per county, and each one can have anywhere from one to 300 footprints, so we’re talking about thousands of tracks and hundreds of individuals over a long period of time.”

“There are things you can learn from dinosaur tracks that you can’t learn from skeletons,” said Dr. Dan Lehrmann, professor of geosciences at Trinity University and a key contributor to the project.

“The trackways tell us about their behavior.”

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Catalyst 2020-2021 | UTSA

It is this detail that makes trackways so important to study and

These geochemical processes are being conducted on UTSA’s main

sets them apart from other artifacts, such as bones.

campus and provide valuable insight into the physical environment these dinosaurs inhabited.

“Bones are the remains of a dead animal, whereas footprints are the remains of a living animal, an example of a day in their

“Using some mineralogical techniques, we can read in the rocks

life,” Adams explained. However, unlike bones, trackways are

the type of climate and environment that those dinosaurs were

susceptible to degradation, both from natural erosion and human

living in,” Godet explained. This data, locked into the sediment for

activity, and they will not be around forever without expert

millions of years, could prove vital in understanding the climate of

intervention.

our planet, adding another piece to the climate puzzle that spans from the Mesozoic era to today.

“Our goal is twofold,” said Dr. Alexis Godet, UTSA professor and sedimentology expert. “We want to preserve the dinosaur tracks

The team is also using a more traditional approach to conservation

for future generations and future projects, and to understand the

in their fieldwork—rubber molding. “We use liquid rubber to

environment in which these dinosaurs lived.”

collect a mold of a track without damaging the original fossil,” Adams explained. “The mold can then be used to make casts for

This dual purpose has led to this group’s greatest innovation and

study and display.” These molds will be included in the Witte’s

a huge step forward in the preservation of these ancient artifacts—

permanent collection, while the original footprint stays in the rock

an accurate, entirely digital 3D model. The team of geoscientists

where it has been for millions of years.

includes Godet, Adams and Lehrmann, as well as University of Kansas professor and paleoclimate expert Dr. Marina Suarez and

This method does have limitations, however—notably with size,

a number of graduate and undergraduate student volunteers,

as some of these prehistoric reptiles left enormous footprints that

including longtime members Dianna Price and Justin Sharpe.

would require a lot of rubber to mold. This complication is just one of many the fieldwork team faces. Some of the challenges are

“We spend some time cleaning the tracks before we do anything,”

unique to Texas.

explained Price, the UTSA doctoral student leading the effort for digitization. “I fly a drone about 10 feet over the tracks and take

“There’s a lot of layers to working in Texas compared to other

hundreds of photos, as high resolution as the drone will let me.

places,” Suarez explained. “You have to tread more lightly and

Back in the lab, I take those photos and stitch them together to

communicate with more people. Trying to figure out who owns

create a model from them.”

the land, and who to contact gets a little bit complicated.”

A resource of such detail and scale has never before been

Despite such challenges and the ongoing impact of the

created for Texas localities. It provides an invaluable tool not

coronavirus pandemic, the team is passionate about the work.

just for current and future research but also for education and

“Preliminarily, the results are very exciting,” Adams said. “We

preservation of relics that could well disappear without it. The

would like to expand it to as many locations as we can. Since we

project started in late 2014, when the team first began to

are doing this in such detail, it allows us to do something new to

collaborate on dinosaur tracks in Government Canyon State

these track sites.”

Natural Area.

In addition to the groundbreaking digital methodology, the team is also using other, more traditional research techniques, such as collecting samples and running tests.

7

UTSA | Catalyst 2020-2021

Propelling Experiential Learning

UTSA’s NASA Student Launch team aims high

By Bruce Forey

A team of UTSA students has been selected by NASA to compete in a prestigious rocket-building competition. The NASA Student Launch is an eight-month challenge managed by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

UTSA was one of only 32 U.S. universities and colleges selected for the 2021 challenge.

Student Launch gives aspiring rocketeers a unique opportunity to follow the design process that NASA and industry engineers use when developing and operating new hardware. The student teams are required to design, build, test and fly a high-powered amateur rocket to an altitude of 3,500 to 5,500 feet.

This year the college/university division teams will tackle a new payload challenge. The rocket design will include a lander to be deployed during the rocket’s descent. This device must leave the rocket at an altitude of 500 to 1,000 feet above ground and then land, upright and level. But that’s not all: The lander must also take a 360-degree panoramic photo and transmit it to its team.

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Catalyst 2020-2021 | UTSA

UTSA fielded a rocket team comprising mechanical engineering majors in 2019. This year UTSA’s NASA MIRO Center for

“This project will open their eyes to the opportunities available to them and to possibly get involved with NASA,” Xie said.

Advanced Measurements in Extreme Environments (CAMEE) opened up the competition to a broader group. The first

In addition to Emmele, the Student Launch team is made up

informational meeting had over 30 students. After learning more

of Carolyn Alvarado, Kate Benoit, Evelyn Fernandez, Madeline

about the project and time commitments, that group shrunk

Hickman, Jasmyn Johnson, Adolfo Santa Fe Duenas and

to eight students, who are a mix of various majors from the

Daniel Wood.

colleges of Sciences and Engineering. They’re volunteers for this project and don’t receive a grade or credit hours for being part

The faculty team includes Dr. Jaime Hincapie, lecturer and

of the team.

faculty adviser in the Department of Geological Sciences, and Dr. Christopher Combs, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.

“Most of them have no idea about this field. They just showed

The team mentor is Don Cosgrove of the San Antonio Rocket

great enthusiasm about NASA and rocketry, and it’s very exciting

Society. Both Hincapie and Cosgrove are certified in high-power

to have them involved,” said Dr. Hongjie Xie, CAMEE director and

rocketry by the Tripoli Rocketry Association.

professor and chair of the Department of Geological Sciences.

The NASA Student Launch project is funded by NASA MIRO CAMEE, The team’s first challenge was developing a detailed project

the College of Engineering Student Success Center and the College

proposal in a short turnaround time that included their

of Sciences Student Success Center.

engineering design approach, timeline and budget. The Student Launch team will complete their mission on April 10.

“They’ll have to learn most everything about rocketry from scratch,” Xie said. “This is really a challenge, and they’ll learn a lot about how to be a team.”

UTSA’s NASA MIRO Center for Advanced Measurements in Extreme Environments (CAMEE) is a NASA-funded interdisciplinary center housed in the

With a busy college schedule, why sign up for a demanding extracurricular activity? For Student Launch team lead Dillon Emmele, this opportunity through UTSA is a great fit. Emmele

College of Sciences. CAMEE seeks to build a sustainable source of diverse, highly

also works full time, and the rocketry project gives him

trained researchers who will enter the

valuable hands-on experience without having to make the time

workforce in NASA’s fields of earth system

commitment for a longer internship or research project.

sciences, remote sensing technologies,

“I was drawn because it puts the students in control of how we

computational fluid dynamics, and

do things while still having full support from the university,” he

experimental fluid mechanics. In addition

said. “This project will help me learn how to lead a team more

to working with UTSA students, CAMEE

than I’m used to at work. Another huge benefit is it allows me

hosts K-12 teacher workshops and runs

to connect with the STEM community, which was difficult for me before. I even have a few contacts at NASA now.”

an outreach program, with the goal of

Xie is hopeful this experience will inspire the students to

students to pursue STEM careers.

inspiring underrepresented minority

pursue STEM fields—science, technology, engineering and mathematics—in postgraduate studies or careers in the industry.

9

UTSA | Catalyst 2020-2021

Counting on Student Success New initiatives change the structure of how mathematics is taught at UTSA

By Robert Salinas

The Department of Mathematics is transitioning to an

A weekly earnings summary issued by the U.S. Bureau of

evidence-based approach of optimal instruction. The

Labor Statistics in October showed that full-time workers

department looked at patterns taken from UTSA student

holding at least a bachelor’s degree earned an average of

data, including every single student and course for the

$664 more per week than high school graduates without

past 10 years. This data showed the department what

a college degree.

direction to take to generate the highest rates of success for students by pinpointing what works and

The value of mathematics is tied not only to career

what does not.

success—it can substantially improve everyday life and mental wellness. Math is used when comparing prices at

Research demonstrates that mathematics is the single

a store, calculating a tip, and budgeting our finances.

largest point of failure for most university students.

Math also makes cooking easier when converting units

Students who fail or have difficulty passing math courses

or changing a recipe serving amount.

are substantially more likely to drop out or change majors.

The inverse is also true: Students who are successful in

Dr. Juan Gutiérrez, chair of the Department of Mathematics,

foundational math courses are most likely to graduate in

has begun the process of rolling out new initiatives aimed

any given major. Ultimately, mathematics is the driver for

at creating an environment more conducive to success in

student degree completion, which has repeatedly been

math and, by extension, success in all other subjects and

shown to improve students’ employment prospects and

degree completion. These initiatives can be categorized

increase their earning potential.

as the vertical alignment of the curriculum and course coordination.

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Catalyst 2020-2021 | UTSA

“Subject matter in one course must be sufficient and wellarticulated to the subject that a student will face in the proceeding courses,” Gutiérrez said. “The goal is for all math courses in the department to have a coherent sequence of topics. This is needed to provide students with a uniform and predictable set of skills by guaranteeing coherent communication across multiple instructors of the same course, with material taught at similar pacing, and similar length and difficulty of homework and exams.

This creates an environment conducive to optimal learning that benefits all students.”

The value of mathematics is tied not only to career success—it can substantially improve everyday life and

Mathematics graduate student Samuel Roberts has seen the

mental wellness.

negative results of improper math course sequencing during his tutoring sessions with fellow students. “It’s a recipe for disaster,” Roberts said. “You’re missing foundational information, which makes it hard. Students must have fundamental understanding of set concepts before they move on to be successful.”

The department plans to create homogeneity in student resources

These students are not entering university shoulder-to-shoulder

through online material such as video tutorials and problem

with their peers in terms of knowledge and skillset, and they must

walkthroughs, lecture slides, and testing services. Many students

absorb material at a faster pace to keep up. For these students,

are already familiar with these formats, but with numerous vendors

online material may help fill in those gaps.

offering these services, the challenge is selecting the best quality and uniformity for students that they can follow throughout

While mathematics is not the only force that shapes a student’s

the entire mathematics portion of their academic career. Other

success, it is the largest—25% of all first-year credit hours are

considerations include pairing WeBWorK, an online homework and

in mathematics courses, and all UTSA majors use mathematics

exam delivery system, with OpenStax, which is a peer-reviewed,

in some capacity. Dr. Priya Prasad, associate professor in

free digital textbook database. With the sudden switch to almost

the Department of Mathematics, is heavily involved in the

complete remote learning, there has been a sharp increase in the

department’s initiatives and sees mathematics as a skill for

need for online resources, introducing an immediate necessity to

more than just STEM majors. Noting the pervasive effect of

identify and distribute cohesive resources.

the coronavirus pandemic on our everyday lives, Prasad says all students can benefit from an improved understanding of

Online courses and supplementary material offer additional

mathematical concepts.

benefits to students who are struggling in their math courses.

Research shows that the students who find math most difficult

“We are living through a time where we are seeing that having a

may not have been exposed to higher levels of math or had

basic understanding of mathematics and statistics is extremely

adequate resources as they progressed through high school.

important, such as understanding pandemic models to understand coronavirus rates and make the best decisions for you and your family,” she said.

11

UTSA | Catalyst 2020-2021

UTSA Club Cracks the Code for Competitive Job Candidates

Learn how one organization prepares students to contend for jobs in the tech industry The International Collegiate Programming Contest Club is part of UTSA’s Association for Computing Machinery chapter. The International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) is a global programming competition. Thousands of three-person teams compete by solving anywhere from eight to 12 algorithm problems of varying difficulty.

Students in the programming contest club gain experience in all fields of technology and computing during regular meetings and ICPC competitions.

In November 2020, the club hosted the first UTSA-only programming contest. Seven teams solved as many algorithm and data structure problems as they could during an intense two-hour competition.

Team Iterators, a mix of computer engineering and computer science students, won first place.

12

Catalyst 2020-2021 | UTSA

“Our plan is to have a contest every semester that involves multiple departments and colleges,” said faculty adviser and computer science assistant professor of practice Dr. Mark Robinson. “We feel it’s a great way to involve different departments that all have a shared interest in using code to solve problems.”

The club offers students who are interested in a computing or technology career the opportunity to improve, practice and apply their technical skills. Through strategy workshops and collaborative problem-solving exercises, students become stronger in algorithms and data structures.

It’s a great way to involve different departments that all have a shared interest in using code to solve problems.

“No matter how far you are in your curriculum, there’s always something new to learn at ICPC, which is something I really enjoy about it,” said director and computer science student Brent Delia. “And to students who want more than what we provide at our usual meetings, we also provide contest opportunities where students can form teams and compete against others. Not only

“Getting a chance to work with more experienced students is

does this benefit students to improve their problem-solving skills,

obviously beneficial, but working with less experienced students

it also gives them teamwork experience and helps familiarize

is also great, since explaining your ideas and solutions to others is

them with solving problems against a clock. The latter is handy

such an important career skill.”

when it comes to technical interviews since it helps getting into that mindset of solving a problem live and hopefully eases the pressure by having that experience.”

Major companies in the industry, such as Amazon, will ask candidates to solve the kind of problems ICPC practices during their interview.

“This really helps our students prepare if they are interested in going on to work for Facebook or Google,” Robinson said.

ICPC was started five years ago when two students approached Robinson and asked whether he would sponsor their student organization. They wanted to compete in ICPC and felt that UTSA needed to be involved.

“I can definitely say, from personal experience, that being a part of ICPC has prepared me to take on all of my technical interviews,” said Delia. “To be able to identify the type of problem I’m solving, to come up with various solutions, and to be able to explain

“Students know that they have to study ahead of time and prepare.

and measure the run time of these solutions has helped me be

The kind of interview preparation process students have to do to

successful in my interviews. I’ve landed an internship this past

survive the interview process for, say, Google is really starting to

summer as well as a full-time offer for when I graduate, and I’m

look a lot like the GRE.”

confident to say that part of this was because of the skills I’ve

In addition to sharpening their technical skills, students also learn more about useful algorithms and data structures that might not be covered in the core curriculum. “ICPC is an opportunity for students to meet and work with variety of folks at different skill levels,” said ICPC coach and computer science

developed at ICPC.” UTSA’s Classroom to Career Initiative further develops and promotes experiential learning opportunities for students, including those that occur outside the classroom, such as internships, service learning, undergraduate research and study abroad.

faculty member Dr. Jessica Sherette.

13

UTSA | Catalyst 2020-2021

Dr. Terri Matiella is passionate about environmental science.

Office Hours: Dr. Terri Matiella Dr. Terri Matiella has always enjoyed

After earning her B.S. in biology and M.S.

She is the cofounder of the new COS Honors

being outside. Growing up in San Angelo,

and Ph.D. degrees in environmental science

Program and has held positions on the Core

Texas, she ran around catching frogs and

at UTSA, Matiella stayed to teach environmen-

Curriculum Assessment Committee and the

picking plants. Now, she plays an important

tal science. She wanted to help develop the

College of Sciences Dean’s Leadership Ini-

role in educating the next generation to ap-

environmental science program, which was

tiative on Student Success. In 2018, she was

preciate the natural world and understand

not yet a department.

today’s environmental issues.

In 2013, Matiella joined the department as a “One of the reasons that I find teaching re-

honored with the President’s Distinguished Achievement Award for Core Curriculum Teaching.

full-time faculty member and began to mold

warding is because I’m very passionate about

the curriculum into something she found in-

In September, Matiella was selected as a

the topic of environmental science,” she said.

teresting and engaging. She later began coor-

2020-21 Advancing Next-Gen Faculty Lead-

dinating the department’s sections according

ership Fellow in recognition of her efforts to

understand because even if you’re not an

to the curriculum she developed. Eventually,

enhance curriculum and teaching practices

environmental scientist, you still affect the en-

she realized she wanted to go back to school

across the university.

vironment and impact it in your daily actions.

herself—this time in a new subject area.

“I feel this is something that everyone should

I think once we understand how we impact the environment and how that happens, we

“As faculty, we always want to help our stu“When you get a master’s or Ph.D., you’re

dents succeed, and one of the ways I do that

can work together to make small changes

taught to be really good at the thing you

is by constantly looking for new activities,

that lead to big impacts.”

are doing,” she explained. “I was taught to

new techniques and new things to learn,”

be a really good scientist at this thing that I

she said. “There is always more out there

In Matiella’s Introduction to Environmental

was studying, but I was never taught how to

about teaching, education and ways we can

Science course, students take an eye-

teach well.”

opening ecological footprint quiz that illustrates the individual impact they have on

Matiella earned her Master of Education from

the earth’s resources.

UTSA last spring. That experience equipped her with the terminology and framework for

“This level of awareness is something that everyone should be fluent in,” Matiella said.

“It’s important to know where we are with

what she was already successfully doing and introduced new pedagogical concepts she now implements in her courses. In addition

how we treat the environment to be able

to her instructional responsibilities, Matiella

to meet our own needs, provide for future

currently serves as the college’s interim dean

generations, and work towards being a more

for remote instruction.

sustainable society.”

14

get better at what we do. I think it’s a constantly evolving role.”

Find more Office Hours features on our website: utsa.edu/sciences.

Catalyst 2020-2021 | UTSA

Dr. Sarah K. Vines and Dr. Robert C. Allen are proud alumni.

Awesome Alum: Dr. Sarah K. Vines and Dr. Robert C. Allen

By Amber Powell After initially meeting through a friend at an

science grant proposal I ever wrote, as well

some of the most exciting missions of our

academic conference in Colorado, Dr. Sarah K.

as graduate with six first-authored publica-

time,” he said. “We’re going to be able to

Vines and Dr. Robert C. Allen returned to their

tions and several co-authorships to allow

transform our understanding of how the solar

respective graduate programs but stayed in

my name to be known to the community.

wind is generated and how ions in the solar

touch. Vines had just finished her first year in

It allowed for a much less stressful interview

wind reach really high energies in a region of

UTSA’s physics Ph.D. program, and Allen had

process, as those who were interviewing

space that we only now have the technology to really explore.”

recently wrapped up his second year of the

me and considering my application for a

physics graduate program at the University

postdoctoral fellowship were already aware

of New Hampshire.

of my work.”

Vines is currently the deputy principal investi-

After Allen moved to San Antonio several

Allen is now the instrument scientist of the

etary Electrodynamics Response Experiment

months later to start the same program, life

Suprathermal Ion Spectrograph on the Euro-

(AMPERE) where she studies Birkeland cur-

gator of the Active Magnetosphere and Plan-

was never the same.

pean Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter mission

rents. Birkeland currents are a vital part of the

and is a member of the NASA Parker Solar

solar wind-magnetosphere interaction that

“It was pretty quick that we realized we would

Probe project science team. He is responsible

drive energy into the ionosphere and neutral

always be more than just colleagues,” Vines

for advancing scientific understanding of the

upper atmosphere.

said. “We had fallen in love before Robert

solar wind and how charged particles are

even made it down that fall, and ended up

energized in interplanetary space through

getting married three years later, right before

peer-reviewed scientific publications.

my dissertation defense in the fall of 2016.

What a crazy year!”

“AMPERE is a pretty awesome project in that it uses commercial magnetometers carried by each one of the Iridium Communication Net-

He also prepares the instrument data for dis-

work satellites to back out signatures of large

bursement to the broader scientific communi-

electric currents in the near-Earth space en-

Vines earned her Ph.D. in 2016, and Allen

ty. Additionally, Allen organizes opportunities

vironment that close through the ionosphere,

completed his in 2017.

for joint instrument and multi-mission obser-

the ionized portion of the Earth’s upper at-

vations of interesting solar wind events.

mosphere,” she said. “Basically, we’re using

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to

science that is only enabled by such a large

skills such as proposal and paper writing,

take advantage of these really amazing

fleet of spacecraft that make up the Iridium

Allen said. “This enabled me to win the first

opportunities to be on the ground floor of

constellation.”

“The UTSA/SwRI Ph.D. program set me up because it focused on real-world applicable

non-science tools to do some really great

15

UTSA | Catalyst 2020-2021

#ThisIs WhatA Scientist Looks Like 16

Catalyst 2020-2021 | UTSA

Elisa Carian Illustrations: Jake Lehle

By Cecilia Nwaichi

The college experience goes beyond a building. Indeed, it introduces a dream that reveals paths and passion.

For Elisa Carian, that dream began with an interest in chemistry.

“I started UTSA as a biology major, but quickly realized I was intrigued by my general chemistry courses,” she said. “When I got to organic chemistry, I felt as though I was learning a whole new language.”

Once Carian realized chemistry was a language she wanted to be fluent in, she changed her major.

Now a third-year chemistry student, Carian balances her studies with campus involvement. “It was tough deciding to change my major because not all of the classes I had taken from biology transferred, and I also did not know any other fellow chemistry majors,” she

She is the recipient of academic awards such as Honor Roll,

said. “I went to an American Chemical Society meeting

Dean’s List and President’s List. Her love for chemistry is

after hearing a quick presentation on them in one of

strengthened by the support she has received through

my chemistry classes, and I was surprised at how

her journey.

supportive and inviting the club members were. I joined ACS and quickly made friends with fellow chemistry

“The chemistry department at UTSA has allowed me to truly

majors and found my passion in the Demonstrations

learn the material presented and to take an interest in the

Committee, allowing me to thrive in a new way through

subject,” she said. “I can ask questions and receive any

chemistry.”

support I need while learning new topics.”

In addition to her role as a demonstrations officer for

Carian’s goal is to obtain her master’s degree and Ph.D. in

UTSA’s chapter of the American Chemical Society, Carian

chemistry and later conduct further research on pertinent

is also a member of the Honors College at UTSA.

diseases and teach at the undergraduate and graduate level.

17

UTSA | Catalyst 2020-2021

Aldo Vasquez

By Sofia Garcia

Growing up in Ciudad Victoria, Mexico, Aldo Vasquez was enthralled by mathematics. Integral calculus was a subject that came naturally to him.

“I deeply enjoy the consistency of math and the logic behind it. There is a series of logical steps and there is no room for interpretation,” Vasquez said. “I saw calculus as a challenge; it was something I had fun doing and researching. I wanted to do better and better.”

At first, Vasquez wasn’t quite sure how to apply his passion for math and its complexities to a career. “When I first got to UTSA, I had no idea what I wanted to pursue,” he said.

Then, he received an email about working in a UTSA physics lab focused on molecular dynamics—the study of how molecules behave in different environments. The lab, run

by Dr. Abelardo Ramirez-Hernandez, assistant professor of chemical engineering, would give Vasquez the opportunity to work with computer simulations that analyze the physical movements of molecules. “So if we put molecules in water, for example, and at a certain temperature, we would give the computer the command, and it would run the simulation of that molecule,” Vasquez explained.

Eager to embrace the challenge, Vasquez took the first step into his passion and began working in the lab. Vasquez soon realized that pursuing physics would allow him to fulfill his dream of knowing what makes up life itself. Working with molecules—the foundation of life—Vasquez feels lucky to be a part of the research process that helps all scientific fields.

“I get to work with reality when I study molecular properties,” he said. “Just by doing my research, I could be helping others with their medicinal or biological research.”

18

The journey that led Vasquez to the molecular dynamics lab started far from San Antonio. Vasquez was not planning to go to school in the United States, but his father inspired him to expand his horizons. “My dad helped me realize that there were a lot more opportunities for me in the U.S. than there were in Mexico,” Vasquez said. “He showed me many schools in Texas that were very interesting.”

Ultimately, he felt the strongest connection to the culture at UTSA. “When I’m here, I don’t feel that far away from home. I meet people like me. Instead of feeling like a foreigner, I feel like I am a part of the culture,” Vasquez said.

Vasquez chose the school that made him feel confident and supported. “To me, it’s making my parents proud because they’ve put a lot of effort into sending me here,” he said. “They raised me so well, and I want to do the right thing for them.”

A third-year student and a member of UTSA’s Society of Physics Students, Vasquez has been able to bond with other physics majors as well as connect with the department’s faculty.

“Meeting other physics majors allows me to network, and those connections are what matter most,” Vasquez said, noting that these interactions exposed him to a variety of career opportunities within the field of physics.

Inspired by his fellow physicists, Vasquez wants to make breakthroughs in his research. “I hope to continue my study of molecular dynamics and eventually earn my Ph.D. with the help of the Southwest Research Institute,” Vasquez said.

Catalyst 2020-2021 | UTSA

Moyosore Sosanwo

By Alex Roush

Moyosore “Moyo” Sosanwo was often sick as a child and frequently ended up in the hospital. Though there was not advanced medical equipment where she grew up in Nigeria, she still remembers the great care she received from her doctors and nurses. After moving to America, she made it a goal to one day achieve success in the medical field and give back to those in Nigeria.

She chose to begin her path to a medical career at UTSA because the university offered exactly what she was looking for

Sosanwo’s early academic experience included only rare

in a college experience. “With their vibrant Hispanic culture and

mentions of medical marvels. In ninth grade, she heard the

their constant embodiment of San Antonio pride, this university

story of pioneering neurosurgeon and former Secretary of

provided the comfort that any student would want,” she said.

the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Dr. Ben Carson, who is known for successfully performing

In addition to her involvement in campus life, research is very

the first separation of craniopagus twins conjoined at the

important to Sosanwo. “I honestly believe that before a person

back of the head and the first fully successful separation of

can become a successful medical doctor, they must learn and

type-2 vertical craniopagus twins.

understand the origins of infections, cancers, vaccines and so on, which basically starts with research,” she said. She hopes

“The story of Dr. Ben Carson and how he successfully

to take a gap year to work as a research scientist before she

separated the conjoined twins inspired me to want to

begins medical school.

be part of something significant and to give people the opportunity to be able to live their normal lives,” she said.

She encourages young girls interested in pursuing a STEM career to not give up on their dreams. She knows it can be

Inspired by the recent events associated with the

difficult because of the lack of female role models, especially

#EndSARS movement, a decentralized social movement

for people of color.

and series of mass protests against police brutality in Nigeria, Sosanwo particularly wants to help those affected.

“I want them to know that they can start by being their own role

“Many videos surfaced online of the injured protesters not

models,” she said. “You do not have to wait for anyone. I grew

being able to be treated at hospitals due to lack of quality

up without looking up to anyone. No one in my family or around

medical equipment,” she said. “That fueled my passion for

me was a scientist or a medical doctor, and I am doing great!”

medical school even more.”

19

UTSA | Catalyst 2020-2021

GIVING

A Proud Alumnus

By Keith Herndon

Keith Herndon, pictured here while a student at UTSA, is a member of the college’s Advancement Council.

As a 1981 computer science graduate of UTSA, I could never have

I was thrilled to see many of the same professors I had known many

imagined how the university would grow to be such an amazing in-

years before, still actively involved in inspiring students. As the chief

stitution with the depth of programs, the incredibly talented staff and

information security officer at Shell Oil, I knew about UTSA’s nationally

faculty, the world-class facilities, and the recognition on a national

recognized cybersecurity program. I was inspired to learn more about

scale of key programs.

other university programs and hear about the vision of the College

I was the first person in my family to complete a four-year college

of Sciences.

degree. UTSA was very much a new school when I enrolled after high

After 36 years at Shell, I began work at Baker Hughes—an energy

school. I remember voting for the school mascot and picking the

transformation company—where I have put UTSA on our campus

school colors. I had a great college experience—playing intramural

recruiting schedule. I am proud to have onboarded both permanent

volleyball, punching computer cards late at night, editing a computer

staff and interns. I have personally attended several STEM career fairs

science department newsletter and studying nocturnal mammals

over the past few years at UTSA and continue to be impressed by the

around the UTSA campus for a summer research project. But most of

quality of the students. The programs offered at UTSA prepare stu-

all, it was a place to find lifelong friends.

dents to seamlessly join a Fortune 100 company and quickly make

After graduation, I moved to Houston to work for Shell Oil Company

a difference.

and eventually spent 12 years overseas in Muscat, Oman, and The

Participating on the Advancement Council and hearing about the

Hague, Netherlands. When I returned to Houston, I received a phone

plans for the College of Sciences and seeing the tangible accom-

call from Kim Fischer, UTSA’s senior executive development officer,

plishments of researchers and their students has inspired me to

asking me to join the Advancement Council for the College of Sciences.

give back to UTSA. I have been fortunate to work for organizations

Kim shared with me the latest statistics about the university and the push to be a Tier One institution, and she also highlighted that students from Harris County were the second largest population at UTSA.

with a matching gift program, so my financial contributions have a greater impact on the university.

I was quickly hooked on the opportunity to learn more about UTSA

I know that UTSA is on the map for more and more Houston fami-

and to see how I could promote the school within Shell and the

lies. I have staff in my department whose sons and daughters are

Houston community.

On my first visit back to campus, I was overwhelmed. Where was the

attending UTSA. It is great to see more UTSA stickers as you drive around the Houston community. The new data analytics and cy-

science building? Where was that simple quadrangle outlined with a

bersecurity programs are getting major publicity in Houston-area

few four-story buildings? I could not have imagined the physical ex-

schools and businesses. I am proud to know that UTSA is getting

pansion of the university.

the recognition it deserves.

20

Catalyst 2020-2021 | UTSA

GIVING

Community Champions

By Taylor Bird

The Guerras have served San Antonio for four decades.

As a yearly tradition, the Guerras mark their calendars for the white

“I am impressed with how UTSA has changed, grown, and improved.

coat ceremony. The annual ceremony marks the students’ progress

The quality of professors, the student body, the breadth of research

in their medical education and begins their introduction to clinical

and discovery is outstanding,” Beverly Purcell Guerra said. “A city

experiences. Dr. Fernando A. Guerra, MD, MPH and his wife, Beverly

needs great universities and everything that entails to be well-

Purcell Guerra, celebrate the young men and women they have

rounded, cultured and attractive to industry. The better UTSA is,

helped reach this milestone.

the better San Antonio becomes.”

Through Dr. Guerra’s efforts to protect children from diseases and

With a smile, Dr. Guerra added, “Beverly and I have had conversations

inspire the next generation of doctors, and through Beverly Purcell

throughout the time we’ve lived here about how we and the communi-

Guerra’s efforts to showcase the accomplishments and contribu-

ty have benefited from UTSA. Our children have grown up appreciating

tions of outstanding San Antonio women, the couple has served

the importance of academic institutions—the students, the faculty and

San Antonio for four decades.

the tremendous opportunity they bring to our city.”

Dr. Guerra is a retired pediatrician who also served as director of

During his time as health director for the city and the county, Dr.

health for the City of San Antonio and Bexar County for 23 years,

Guerra and his staff developed a vaccine registry. “This enabled us to

and he is a member of the National Academy of Medicine. Beverly

prevent the spread of diseases and save lives,” he explained. “It has

Purcell Guerra is a former editor of Vogue; editor of Images, the Sun-

been used as a national model.” The San Antonio Health Department

day magazine of the San Antonio Express-News; and editor-in-chief

also benefited immensely from collaborations with UTSA researchers

of San Antonio Woman and Denver Woman.

to develop and enhance access to childhood vaccinations.

In addition to their local community support and national involve-

For these philanthropists, the value of higher education goes beyond

ment, the couple serves on the College of Sciences’ Advancement

the classroom. “The experiences I gained as a result of my education

Council and supports scholarships for students who want to become

and my career opportunities have shaped the course of my life,”

physicians through the Saint Susie Charitable Foundation.

Dr. Guerra said. “At UTSA, the incredible cross section of communities,

Dr. Guerra is a trustee of the foundation, which was created to honor the profound legacy of Dr. Doris Grosskreutz, known by her friends

cultures, languages and backgrounds adds a layer of benefit to students.”

as Susie. She was dedicated to supporting medical, educational

Investing in the San Antonio community is especially important to

and religious programs in San Antonio.

the Guerras. They are committed in their devotion to helping others,

“I have seen firsthand the talent, dedication and determination of

especially those who may not otherwise earn a degree.

the UTSA students,” he said. “Supporting them has been tremen-

“Many first-generation students from San Antonio, who may not

dously gratifying. They have gone on to become physicians and

otherwise have the opportunity, attend UTSA as part of their journey

several have headed up their own programs. They are providing

to medical school,” Dr. Guerra said. “Through the Saint Susie Charita-

meaningful services.”

ble Foundation Scholarship, we are helping to prepare the next generation of physicians in our community.”

21

UTSA | Catalyst 2020-2021

GIVING

Scholarship Spotlights Saint Susie Charitable Foundation

By Taylor Bird

The Aspiring Physician Ray Wang is a senior biology major studying in the competitive premed track.

Since he was a child, Ray has dreamed of working in the medical field. He attended Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions in Houston, which exposed him to many different career paths in medicine and prepared him for his current rigorous course load.

Ultimately, Ray plans to attend medical school and become a physician. The driving motivation behind his goal is a deep desire to help people by alleviating their pain and curing their illness.

Also attentive to his own wellness, Ray maintains a very active lifestyle by running, hiking, swimming, and playing football, volleyball, and ultimate Frisbee. He gives his time to various charitable causes, including the San Antonio Food Bank and Any Baby Can.

22

I am immensely grateful for this award, as it has alleviated some of the financial burden of school from my family. Thank you for recognizing my efforts.

Catalyst 2020-2021 | UTSA

The Future Neonatologist Chukwudera Okolo is a senior biology major with a minor in global affairs and is a member of the UTSA Honors College. She serves on the Honors College Dean’s Advisory Board and is studying in the competitive premedical track.

During her time at UTSA, Okolo has been involved in numerous service and volunteer opportunities related to health care, science and community. These include volunteering with the Labor Serena Community Garden, Haven for Hope and the Methodist Children’s Hospital, and supporting bone marrow drives. She also traveled to Rancho Margot Ecolodge in Costa Rica to learn about sustainable living and agriculture.

Thank you for your support of UTSA and its students.

This scholarship helps overcome some of the financial hurdles that come with higher education and allows me to focus on my education rather

Volunteering in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Methodist Children’s Hospital had a profound effect on Okolo’s career goals. She plans to attend medical school and then complete a residency program and a

than seeking employment to pay for my university fees.

fellowship to become a neonatologist.

23

UTSA | Catalyst 2020-2021

The Cypress Living Laboratory will offer experiential learning opportunities to UTSA students and the San Antonio community.

Cypress Living Laboratory A new outdoor classroom at UTSA will provide

An ecofriendly green roof, bioswales and bio-

“The Cypress Living Laboratory will serve as

science students and the San Antonio com-

retention areas will be functional examples

a unique and aesthetic long-term education

munity with opportunities to get their hands

and educational areas for students and

destination for San Antonio’s K-12 students

wet in water research. The Cypress Living

the community to learn about water issues

and university students to learn about the

Laboratory is designed to promote habitat

such as the impact of urbanization on water

importance of protecting the Edwards Aquifer,

and environmental education opportunities

quality over the Edwards Aquifer recharge

our primary source of drinking water, while ob-

associated with the creek ecosystem.

zone. UTSA also plans to use the space for

serving how the project’s LID features, which

outreach activities and summer camps open

are still a relatively new concept to the San

to the community.

Antonio area, can improve water quality,” said

Designed by the architectural firm Ford, Powell & Carson, the state-of-the-art facility is part of a $2.6 million project funded by the City of San Antonio’s Proposition 1 Edwards Aquifer Protection Venue Project.

Homer Garcia III, director of the City of San “We are so excited to add this facility to our

Antonio’s Parks and Recreation Department.

outreach initiatives,” said Dr. Janis Bush, who is the project lead, the chair of the

Ford, Powell & Carson has supported UTSA’s

Department of Environmental Science and

growth as San Antonio’s urban-serving uni-

The innovative project supports UTSA’s Class-

Ecology, and the associate dean for Gradu-

versity since its inception. Fifty years ago,

room to Career Initiative, which creates expe-

ate Studies in the College of Sciences. “This

the architecture firm designed the original

riential learning environments for students.

unique building will enhance our students’

three UTSA classroom buildings, the Library-

In addition to an open-concept classroom,

experiential learning opportunities by provid-

Administration Building and the Sombrilla.

the approximately 2,000-square-foot building

ing hands-on education to prepare them to

UTSA alumni Celeste Taylor ’04, Mark Hender-

will include multiple low-impact development

tackle environmental challenges facing our

son ’14, ’16 and Andy Castillo ’07, ’10 are

(LID) features to manage storm runoff and

world, such as water quality, water quantity

part of the current Ford, Powell & Carson

will showcase best management practices

and water management.”

design team.

San Antonio River Authority, which is con-

This is the first building of a planned nature

Construction of the Cypress Living Laboratory

tracted by the city to administer the program

area on the northwest corner of the Main

began in fall 2020 and will be ready for

under which this project is funded, is provid-

Campus within a dedicated 11 acres set aside

students, faculty and the community to use

ing guidance to UTSA and its design team on

for the College of Sciences. The Cypress Living

by summer.

the living laboratory’s low-impact develop-

Laboratory is a project under the Campus

ment components.

Master Plan and is the first new building at

for improving water quality and quantity. The

UTSA to be named after a native Texas tree.

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

A UTSA-based team of geoscientists and student volunteers is digitizing dinosaur tracks in Texas. Learn more about their innovative research on page 6.