Upcoming Events; TGen Internship Opportunity/Tour

Upcoming Events

TGen – The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) has informed us that they are accepting applications until March 4, 2011 for their summer internship program. This is a paid internship in biomedical research, where interns work with TGen scientists in various research projects on diseases and disorders such as autism, Alzheimer’s and a variety of cancers. If you are interested in this type of work, you are welcome to join us in a tour of the TGen facilities this Thursday (February 3, 2011) at 9 am. Please contact Seth Goodman as soon possible, preferably by Wednesday (February 2, 2011), so that we can accommodate you.

Ursa Majors Field Trips – As Seth Goodman previously communicated to you in an earlier e-mail, we will continue to accompany Ursa Majors Science Club on their field trips. You are welcome to attend the following activities:

• 2/25 – Casa Grande bio-fuel algae farm (tentative date)
• 4/10 – Walnut Canyon Park
• 4/00 – Museum of Northern Arizona (exact date to be announced)
• 4/29 - Theater for screening of new Earth Day movie (“African Cats”)

STD/HIV & U Seminars – PC will once again offer the STDs/HIV & U Seminars. Some of your teachers may be offering extra credit if you attend this event, so don’t hesitate to ask. If you are shy, you can always e-mail them. Attendees will receive a certificate of participation, which you can show to your teacher. You are encouraged to attend any of the three scheduled dates:

• Tuesday, February 8, 2011 (ASL interpreted); 5: 15 – 6:30 pm ; Willo Room
• Thursday, February 10, 2011; 1:00 – 2:15 pm; Willo Room
• Friday, February 11, 2011; 12:00 – 1:15 pm; Willo Room

Math and Science Specialist - Introduction

Hello! STEM Scholars,

My name is Laura Torres and I am pleased to be the new Title V Math and Science Specialist. I cannot wait to meet all of you. As a way to break the ice, I would like to introduce myself. In 2009, I attained my Bachelors in Science and Engineering (B.S.E) within the branch of Civil/Environmental Engineering. President Barack Obama was the speaker at my graduation ceremony and in his speech he stimulated us (the graduates) to continue achieving other dreams. Graduations are a celebration of an accomplishment, but should also serve as a motivation to complete more goals. In a time of economic strains, this speech was very inspiring and it has been well-infused in my mind. It reminds me that we need to keep going (like the energizer bunny). There are so many opportunities we can take advantage, and as President Obama stated: if there are no opportunities, make them. It is time to act, to put our skills into action and help others.

My passion in life is to help others and therefore I have previously served as a Senior Counselor for the Math Science Honors Program (MSHP) at ASU, tutored both at ASU and Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), and was a member for various organizations at ASU. Math and science have always been my two favorite subjects and therefore I am so delighted to be your Math and Science Specialist. I would like to use my educational experience to assist you in having a successful semester and to accomplish your goals. Stop by my office when you have a chance, so that I can get to know you. I am located in what used to be Valerie’s office in the lower level of the library. I will post a schedule on my door for the possible time slots when we can meet. However, you are always welcome to stop by at any time or schedule an appointment with me. I will also be available at the Success Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I have been a student and continue to be a student (I am working on my Masters in Environmental Technology Management), so I understand the various challenges that a student may confront. As my engineering professors have stated, there are always solutions to the various complications we can encounter. I hope this introduction gives you an idea of my background. However, stop by; I look forward to meeting you in person. Have a great day!

PC STEM Scholars Blog: Week of 10/25/10-10/29/10

Can you believe that October is almost over?  For the last week of the month:

• The university transfer fair takes place this Thursday, October 28 in the Sophomore Square from 9:30am-12:30pm.  Take advantage of this opportunity to explore different options--all in one place.
• On that note: if you are planning to transfer to university in Spring 2011 or Fall 2011, notify Valerie ASAP.  You will have to complete a short form.   The Department of Education requires that we obtain these data.  
• Reminder for those enrolled in the Foundations of Student Success I course (a.k.a. the "Peer Mentor Modules):
• Modules 1-4 are due by November 12.
• I will be contacting everyone soon to finalize the monthly meeting schedule. 
• Many thanks to the STEM Scholars who submitted their grade progress reports!  If you have not submitted your report, please note that the STEM Scholars Program has contacted your instructors directly to obtain your grade(s).  This is a requirement of the STEM Scholars Program for students who are enrolled in or will in enroll the gateway courses (e.g., BIO 181).  Contact Valerie if you have any questions about this. 

STEM Scholars Blog: Week of 10/11/10-10/15/10

Lots of exciting news for this week's blog!:

• STEM Scholar Leslie Landa has been awarded the Alba McKee Scholarship.  Leslie stated, "I do want to recommend to people that is possible to get scholarships--[but] one has to be patient to get it."  Well said, Leslie!  And congratulations--we are very proud of you!
• Two more college tours remain for Fall 2010:  ASU Polytechnic (November 5) and ASU West (November 12).  Please RSVP ASAP if you're interested. 
• Mesa Community College is featuring several speakers from various STEM fields.  I plan to attend as many of these as possible.  If enough people express interest and give me enough notice, I may be able to reserve a van.  All talks are free and open to the public.
• Friday, October 15 at 1:30pm in LS 108:  Cathy Mancini, Biomedical Research Associate at the Translational Genomics Institute (T-Gen)
• Wednesday, October 20 at 3:30pm in LS 101: Kevin Knapp, Forensic Scientist for the Phoenix Police Crime Lab.
• Wednesday, November 3 at 4pm in LS 101: Danny Boyle, DDS.   Dr. Boyle has practiced dentistry for many years. 
• Wednesday, November 10 at 4pm in LS 101: University of Arizona College of Pharmacy student.  NOTE:  This student has served on pharmacy school admissions committee
• Wednesday, December 1 at 4pm in LS 101: Steven Johnson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Biology at Brigham Young University.  
• Wednesday, December 8 at 4pm in LS 101:  Peggy Hocutt, RN.  Ms. Hocutt works in the Telemetry Unit at Chandler Regional Hospital.