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
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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
1
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.
2
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.” 3
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.”
4
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. 5
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.
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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. 8
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.
