working with good folks

Seems like all I've been blogging about lately is work, but that is because that is all I've been DOING lately! Here's a pic from this weekends Ninth Annual Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Symposium - put together by moi. Third and last year in a row to do this monster. It's a plethora of details that need to be tended to from ordering the food, scheduling the venue a year ahead of time, getting the program and abstracts organized and printed, gathering judges (its on a Saturday - who wants to work on a Saturday??) and ...oh gosh. Even the boards that the student's posters are displayed on have to be literally put together every year. And this is around the REGULAR stuff I'm supposed to be doing every day. Anyway...here is me, my colleagues Dave Grise (biology professor - does team learning in a lecture hall of 200 students - awesome), Suzzette Chopin (many, many biomedical and research programs under her direction - just won the President's Award for Mentoring Students - one of eleven that were given across the U.S. this year), Deb Overath (genetics professor, married to Dave, has successfully beaten stage 3 breast cancer) and Dan Solis, Chairman and CEO for the National Organization of Mexican American Rights (superman without a cape - he is AMAZING - you can check out their website here). We are involved in sending undergrads through their National Park Service program.Probably the best thing about my job aside from my students who I sincerely love are the faculty and people I get to work with. Amazing. And the view of the beach from my office isn't too bad either! Back to work....

My Favorite Grant

The TAMUCC STEP (Science Talent Expansion Program) grant - 1 million dollars over 4 years. I am in charge of the mentoring aspect - my 12 lovely undergraduate students are selected and trained by me to tutor and mentor freshmen in biology, chemistry and math courses that are taught in an interdisciplinary fashion. It is a HUGE success, we are in our 3rd year and things are clicking. National Science Foundation, our funder, has already hinted at STEP Phase II. I am so proud of these colleagues and students as we create cutting edge curricula and implement new teaching and learning strategies. Meet my friends and students as we all contributed to make the promo video that is now on the TAMUCC website and also on You Tube. You can see it by clicking here.

My job is a blessing. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have been given.

Recognition

I gave a presentation last spring with two colleagues concerning my work with Family Learning Events at an international conference. I didn't know it but the editor of The Hispanic Outlook In Higher Education - a monthly magazine affiliated with the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE)- attended our session. The result was much interest in our work which led to many phone and written interviews. The article was just published in this month's issue. I am so pleased that our work is receiving international recognition and know the ripples are affecting other schools and students! Such a blessing!!
You can see a pdf of the article by clicking here. Note the title runs across the two top pages: Dialog & Conversation on Latinos in Higher Education: Implementing Culturally Relevant Curriculum for Math and Science.

Meet Loki

Loki the dolphin was on board a helicopter this week - Jen was the pilot. She was in charge of transporting Loki to another location. She sent me this pic from her iphone and of course I had NO idea why! It turns out that Loki, and 3 other of Loki's comrades work for the Navy. They are marine soldiers. Jen said it was the only time in her career that she didn't want to fly - she had so much fun petting the dolphins as they waited, listening to them cackle and smile at her and they chattered the whole way. Of course, the dolphins are sworn to secrecy on their future assignments. You can see more about the Navy Marine Mammal Program here. Jen made four friends that she will never forget!!

Vacation in Cancun Mexico!

Sun, fun, great food, nice people - I love the Mexican culture and the native Mexicans. Some pics of the trip ----

I KNEW the trip was a good decision when I looked out the window after touchdown and saw a pelican painted on the tail of the plane next to ours. Pelicans are sorta my alter ego - you can read more about that here.

Here are several views of the resort where I stayed - I could not get enough of looking at the beautiful, clear, navy blue Carribean:





The resort was "all inclusive",meaning that all food and drinks were included in your stay. The food was FABULOUS. Especially the fruits and vegetables!! Going to dinner:


Fresh Sea Bass and salad with goat cheese:
Using my primitive Spanish I managed to take a bus and go into town for shopping and had a blast. The malls are outdoor and include many Western stores as well as native shops. A surprising factoid: all the stores open at different times!



Another day I went scuba diving off the coast of Isla Mujares - Island of Women. Its off the coast of Cancun - you have to take a ferry there. I LOVED this island. It's still Mexican in culture, is quiet and the biodiversity has been preserved. The reefs were not in great shape - two hurricanes in 2004 did a LOT of damage. Still, it was great to dive, to see the marine life and be in the tropical, clear waters of the Carribean:


I saw a lot of interesting critters including sea turtles - the Hawksbill is my favorite - rays, many colorful fish, dolphin that followed the ferry, taking a look at us. Also saw puffer fish, some cool invertebrates, the proverbial sea cucumbers, corals and sponges. It was great. I can't wait to go diving again!

Mexico has, sadly, become very Westernized - I was disappointed to see natives hawking cotton candy and trinkets up and down the beautiful beaches. But then I am reminded that they are so poor and the only way they can really make any money is off the tourists.

I had a great time - and can't wait to go to another destination next summer!

Heading to the Yucatan

Class syllabi for Fall semester are ready, NASA grant submitted, laboratory supplies ordered; mask, fins, snorkel and suntan lotion packed; shorts, bathing suits, flip-flops and passport packed too. I'm on my way - have found a good dive shop and will be getting wet at about 60-100 feet deep in blue water in about 32 hours. Staying at an all inclusive resort - that means all food and drinks (including alcoholic ones!) are taken care of! To say I'm excited is an understatement. I went through my diving logs last night- over 1000 hours logged all up until 2001 which was a life altering year. None since then, not one. That's going to change, big time. This is the first of many more trips I plan to take to our disappearing coral reefs. I love them and all the marine life that is associated with them - I can't wait to say hello.

We'll catch up later ----

170 voices, an orchestra and over 24 hours of recording...

...gives an Emmy award winning production company enough material to produce a two CD set. Yes, for 1 day and four nights last week, we were all in that (small) choir loft. Two talented directors and many talented people. It was hard, hard work. Many passages had to be sung over and over until the producer was satisfied. When I heard the voice over the speaker say "take 27", I knew I wasn't the only one who was tired and running out of patience. It was an awesome experience as we sang Christmas music with 106 degree temps outside, and the other CD is sacred music. I am so thankful to have been part of it - and glad to have my day job :) The CD will be coming out prior to Christmas. Stay tuned!