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MySpaceHonoring the Marianist Charism
St. Mary’s University joined the Marianist Family around the world as it gathered on Jan. 20 to celebrate the annual Heritage Mass and, this year, the 250th anniversary of the birth of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Society of Mary.Traditionally, the day celebrates the myriad ways Chaminade’s vision permeates campus life. At St. Mary’s, the occasion is used to recognize the work and life of community members as they implement and live the university’s mission. For the first time since the award’s inception, a professed Marianist—the Rev. John A. Leies, S.M., President Emeritus and Professor the Theology—was honored with a Heritage Award. Bahman Rezaie, Ph.D., of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology and Media Specialist Liza Sanchez of the Academic Media Center also received the Heritage Award.
In addition, December 2010 graduate Alfonso de la Torre received the Marianist Student Leadership Award.
The Rev. John A. Leies, S.M., is the first professed recipient of the Marianist Heritage Award. During the award ceremony, President Cotrell noted the significance the first professed reflects “the partnership between lay and professed in carrying out the University’s mission and Chaminade’s vision.” Describing Leies as “an educator” and as “an honest-to-God priest,” Cotrell described his ability to face the situations life presents with grace and integrity. At St. Mary’s since 1974, Leies has served as Campus Minister, graduate adviser in the Theology Department, chair of Graduate Theology, founder and director the Catholic Charismatic Bible Institute, Vice President for Academic Affairs, University President, and professor of Theology. In 1991, the Board of Trustees bestowed on the Father Leies the title of President Emeritus of St. Mary’s University. The Rev. Richard Wosman, S.M., director of the Catholic School Leadership graduate program, in his introduction of Bahman Rezaie, Ph.D., noted the many and varied ways that Rezaie implements the University’s mission. Rezaie, chair of the Department of Engineering and a professor of electrical engineering, has taught in the department since 1983 and also served a brief stint as acting dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology in 2000. Wosman highlighted Bahman’s many services to the University, including his work on the Core Curriculum, his research and writing, his efforts to secure grants, his service on the University Honors Council, as well as his tireless efforts in the San Antonio area to further science education for high school students.
Vice President of Student Development Kathy Sisoian introduced L. Liza Sanchez during the Marianist Heritage Award ceremony, noting that Liza works as a Media Specialist in the Academic Media Center (AMC). She is a master at producing on-air productions, including symposia and lectures for broadcast on Time Warner’s University Channel. Sisoian described Liza as “living the mission” in all aspects of her life. To be sure, the skill and finesse with which she executes her professional duties permeates everything she does to build the community, including her participation in prayer and study groups, and her own creation of the women’s prayer group on campus name the Holy Cows. She integrates professional and personal life in her actions as a Marianist Educational Associate and her missionary spirit extends to activities outside St. Mary’s.
Brother Brian Halderman, S.M., University Minister for Education for Justice, introduced Alfonso de la Torre as the recipient of the Marianist Heritage Student Leadership Award. Alfonso earned bachelor degrees in Economics, International Relations, Mathematics, and Philosophy while studying at St. Mary’s. In addition, he participated in the Marianist Leadership Program, wrote for The Rattler student newspaper and served as Resident Assistant. According to Halderman, Alfonso embodies in all dimensions of his life the Marianist values he developed here and at Colegio Santa Maria in Lima, Peru, where he attended high school.
And the Faculty Award Winners Are…
Each January, the St. Mary’s University Alumni Association hosts the Faculty Appreciation and Awards Dinner during which selected faculty are honored with the Distinguished Faculty Award. As the lifeblood of St. Mary’s, every day faculty work with and mentor students, helping them to fulfill their professional and personal goals.Distinguished Faculty Award winners for 2011 are: from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Heather Hill, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology, and Megan Mustain, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Philosophy; from the School of Science, Engineering and Technology S. Colette Daubner, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biological Sciences; from the Bill Greehey School of Business Seongbae Lim, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Information Systems; from the Graduate School Gwendolyn Diaz, Ph.D., Director, English Literature and Language Graduate Program; and from the School of Law Victoria Mather, Professor of Law.
Front row: Gwenolyn Diaz, Ph.D., S. Colette Daubner, Ph.D., Victoria Mather. Back row: Seongbae Lim, Ph.D., Heather Hill, Ph.D., Ian Martines, Ph.D., Megan Mustain, Ph.D., Rev. Richard Wosman, S.M.For only a second time, the Undergraduate Research Mentor Award was presented, this time to Ian Martines, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the School of Science, Engineering and Technology. The primary purpose behind the award is to recognize faculty members who selflessly and tirelessly commit their time and energy to provide a quality undergraduate research experience for St. Mary’s students.
On occasion, the University President selects a member of the St. Mary’s community to receive the Community Service Award. For his outreach to and work with Catholic schools throughout the San Antonio Archdiocese, President Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D. chose the Rev. Richard Wosman, S.M. (B.A. ’82) to receive this distinction. Wosman wears many hats at St. Mary’s, including as Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, Director of the Catholic Schools Leadership Graduate Program, Co-director of the Marianist Forum, and Director of the Marianist Woodlawn Community.
MARC Gets Two Thumbs Up!
The Gold & Blue story featuring Chrystal Loya (Spring 2011) describes a program that for almost 30 years has been a difference-maker for current and former students. The Minority Access to Research Careers Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research Program (MARC U-STAR) directs talented students toward careers in research science. Read a little about more St. Mary’s students and alumni whose career paths have been influenced by the MARC program.
Kristine Garza, Ph.D.
Education: B.S. in Biology from St. Mary’s University, 1991; Ph.D. in microbiology with a specialty in immunology from the University of Virginia, 1997
Current Position: Associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas-El Paso, and Deputy Director of the Border Biomedical Research Center at UT-El Paso.
Why did you choose St. Mary’s? I chose St. Mary’s for several reasons. I wanted to attend a small, private institution, and I was interested in medical school at the time and St. Mary’s had a particularly high percentage of Hispanic students getting into medical school in the state of Texas. St. Mary’s gave me the most financial assistance in scholarships. Also, I had an amazing time visiting for Sleeping Bag Weekend, which pretty much sealed the deal, so to speak.
How did your experiences in the MARC program shape your professional goals? My freshman biology professor asked me if I really wanted to become a physician. I replied, “What else do you do with a biology degree.” He strongly suggested (if not insisted) that I apply for summer research fellowship. I applied, was accepted, and spent the summer before my sophomore year conducting research at the University of California-Irvine—and it changed my career choice entirely. That was entirely due to a St. Mary’s professor who took an interest in my future and what he thought my potential was.
What was your undergraduate research while in the MARC program at St. Mary’s? I was working in a lab focused on the autoimmune disease Myasthenia Gravis (where the immune system destroys neuromuscular junctions characterized by variable weakness in voluntary muscles). I was involved in purifying mouse acetylcholine receptors (the target of the autoimmune response) to induce an animal model of the disease and also in creating a DNA vector carrying the gene for mouse acetylcholine receptor (also to use for induction of an animal model of the disease).
What does the MARC program mean to you now? The MARC Program essentially provided the foundation for my entire career. It provided me with the opportunities and skills that allowed me to successfully compete for entrance into graduate school and also helped me to garner graduate fellowships to support my graduate career. It was an invaluable piece of my journey—in terms of professional development, mentoring, and social networking. The MARC program provided the foundation for everything that followed. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be where I am now if it weren’t for St. Mary’s and the MARC program!
Education: B.S. in Biology from St. Mary’s University, 1991; Ph.D. in microbiology with a specialty in immunology from the University of Virginia, 1997
Current Position: Associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas-El Paso, and Deputy Director of the Border Biomedical Research Center at UT-El Paso.
Why did you choose St. Mary’s? I chose St. Mary’s for several reasons. I wanted to attend a small, private institution, and I was interested in medical school at the time and St. Mary’s had a particularly high percentage of Hispanic students getting into medical school in the state of Texas. St. Mary’s gave me the most financial assistance in scholarships. Also, I had an amazing time visiting for Sleeping Bag Weekend, which pretty much sealed the deal, so to speak.
How did your experiences in the MARC program shape your professional goals? My freshman biology professor asked me if I really wanted to become a physician. I replied, “What else do you do with a biology degree.” He strongly suggested (if not insisted) that I apply for summer research fellowship. I applied, was accepted, and spent the summer before my sophomore year conducting research at the University of California-Irvine—and it changed my career choice entirely. That was entirely due to a St. Mary’s professor who took an interest in my future and what he thought my potential was.
What was your undergraduate research while in the MARC program at St. Mary’s? I was working in a lab focused on the autoimmune disease Myasthenia Gravis (where the immune system destroys neuromuscular junctions characterized by variable weakness in voluntary muscles). I was involved in purifying mouse acetylcholine receptors (the target of the autoimmune response) to induce an animal model of the disease and also in creating a DNA vector carrying the gene for mouse acetylcholine receptor (also to use for induction of an animal model of the disease).
What does the MARC program mean to you now? The MARC Program essentially provided the foundation for my entire career. It provided me with the opportunities and skills that allowed me to successfully compete for entrance into graduate school and also helped me to garner graduate fellowships to support my graduate career. It was an invaluable piece of my journey—in terms of professional development, mentoring, and social networking. The MARC program provided the foundation for everything that followed. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be where I am now if it weren’t for St. Mary’s and the MARC program!
Vincent Aguirre, M.D., Ph.D.
Education: Biology, St. Mary’s University, 1992; M.D. from Harvard Medical School, 2002; Ph.D. in biochemistry from Harvard Medical School, 2002
Current Position: Assistant professor, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Why were you interested in the MARC program? Clearly the tuition is appealing, but was there another reason that you felt this was the right path? I was approached by Dr. Cimadevilla, the charter principal investigator (I believe) of the MAC program at SMU. I actually had one of the Presidential Scholarships and Honors Program awards, so tuition was not an issue for me.
How did your experience with MARC shape your professional goals? The research experience I gained through the MARC program introduced me to science. Instead of becoming only a medical doctor, I pursued a combined M.D. and Ph.D. program at Harvard Medical School. I remained at Harvard through my residency and fellowship. I now have a research laboratory at UT Southwestern and practice medicine (gastroenterology) one day a week. With the dual degrees, I can do disease-oriented research and see patients who involve and complement my research. I now have a laboratory at UT Southwestern where I investigate the effects of bariatric surgery on obesity and related metabolic diseases, like diabetes. The idea is to discover why bariatric surgery is so effective and develop new therapies that are less-invasive than surgery, but similarly effective. We use an animal model of bariatric surgery that I developed at Harvard Medical School, the first one of its kind in the world. It was on the basis of this work that I was recruited to UT Southwestern to run my own lab.
What was your undergraduate research while at St. Mary’s? Organic synthesis of cancer drugs. I worked on developing and synthesizing novel anti-cancer drugs at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research. My undergraduate mentor was Kenneth Pohlman, Ph.D., of the Department of Chemistry.
What does the MARC program mean to you now? It served an unbelievably important purpose in my life. It currently represents, to me, a wonderful opportunity for the students of St. Mary’s, and other similar schools, to be exposed to the wonders of science—something, I think, they may not otherwise be exposed to.
Education: Biology, St. Mary’s University, 1992; M.D. from Harvard Medical School, 2002; Ph.D. in biochemistry from Harvard Medical School, 2002
Current Position: Assistant professor, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Why were you interested in the MARC program? Clearly the tuition is appealing, but was there another reason that you felt this was the right path? I was approached by Dr. Cimadevilla, the charter principal investigator (I believe) of the MAC program at SMU. I actually had one of the Presidential Scholarships and Honors Program awards, so tuition was not an issue for me.
How did your experience with MARC shape your professional goals? The research experience I gained through the MARC program introduced me to science. Instead of becoming only a medical doctor, I pursued a combined M.D. and Ph.D. program at Harvard Medical School. I remained at Harvard through my residency and fellowship. I now have a research laboratory at UT Southwestern and practice medicine (gastroenterology) one day a week. With the dual degrees, I can do disease-oriented research and see patients who involve and complement my research. I now have a laboratory at UT Southwestern where I investigate the effects of bariatric surgery on obesity and related metabolic diseases, like diabetes. The idea is to discover why bariatric surgery is so effective and develop new therapies that are less-invasive than surgery, but similarly effective. We use an animal model of bariatric surgery that I developed at Harvard Medical School, the first one of its kind in the world. It was on the basis of this work that I was recruited to UT Southwestern to run my own lab.
What was your undergraduate research while at St. Mary’s? Organic synthesis of cancer drugs. I worked on developing and synthesizing novel anti-cancer drugs at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research. My undergraduate mentor was Kenneth Pohlman, Ph.D., of the Department of Chemistry.
What does the MARC program mean to you now? It served an unbelievably important purpose in my life. It currently represents, to me, a wonderful opportunity for the students of St. Mary’s, and other similar schools, to be exposed to the wonders of science—something, I think, they may not otherwise be exposed to.
Daniel Araujo, biology major
Hometown: San Antonio
Expected graduation: May 2011
What research are you conducting through the MARC program? I am working at the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, trying to create a mutated version of a specific protein, called MAP4K3, and then finding molecules that can deactivate it. We want to do this because MAP4K3 is believed to activate a cell-signaling pathway called mammalian-target-of-rapamycin (or mTOR). The mTOR pathway, when deactivated by the drug called rapamycin, has been shown to delay aging in mice. It follows then that if we can deactivate MAP4K3 we can thereby deactivate mTOR and potentially reverse some of the negative effects of aging in humans. The reason why scientists aren’t simply relying on rapamycin as an anti-aging tool is because in addition to making mice age slower the drug also makes mice extremely susceptible to bacterial and viral infections (by suppressing their immune systems).
How did you get involved in the MARC program? I was accepted into the program in 2009. I had spent my freshman and sophomore years considering a career in medicine. However, after doing some soul-searching, and talking with many of my professors, I realized I was better fit for a career in science. Sure enough, after being involved in several research projects, I can safely say that I love science and it is what I want to dedicate my life to!
What does the MARC program mean to you? It’s an exceptional program and I am truly lucky to have the chance to participate. The MARC program has helped me afford my last two years of college without the use of loans and it has also supported my ability to participate in many great research projects throughout Texas. The program has provided me with the funds necessary to travel and present my work at well-respected research conferences. Additionally, the program has given me immense support in preparing myself for the successfully applying for graduate school.
What are your plans after graduation? I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical science with a focus on neuroscience. After earning a Ph.D., I hope to travel across the United States and gain additional scientific training by completing a post-doctoral appointment or two. Eventually, I would like to open my own laboratory at an institution and then train graduate students of my own. I would also like the opportunity to teach here or there. (Winning the Nobel Prize would be nice, too.)
Hometown: San AntonioExpected graduation: May 2011
What research are you conducting through the MARC program? I am working at the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, trying to create a mutated version of a specific protein, called MAP4K3, and then finding molecules that can deactivate it. We want to do this because MAP4K3 is believed to activate a cell-signaling pathway called mammalian-target-of-rapamycin (or mTOR). The mTOR pathway, when deactivated by the drug called rapamycin, has been shown to delay aging in mice. It follows then that if we can deactivate MAP4K3 we can thereby deactivate mTOR and potentially reverse some of the negative effects of aging in humans. The reason why scientists aren’t simply relying on rapamycin as an anti-aging tool is because in addition to making mice age slower the drug also makes mice extremely susceptible to bacterial and viral infections (by suppressing their immune systems).
How did you get involved in the MARC program? I was accepted into the program in 2009. I had spent my freshman and sophomore years considering a career in medicine. However, after doing some soul-searching, and talking with many of my professors, I realized I was better fit for a career in science. Sure enough, after being involved in several research projects, I can safely say that I love science and it is what I want to dedicate my life to!
What does the MARC program mean to you? It’s an exceptional program and I am truly lucky to have the chance to participate. The MARC program has helped me afford my last two years of college without the use of loans and it has also supported my ability to participate in many great research projects throughout Texas. The program has provided me with the funds necessary to travel and present my work at well-respected research conferences. Additionally, the program has given me immense support in preparing myself for the successfully applying for graduate school.
What are your plans after graduation? I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical science with a focus on neuroscience. After earning a Ph.D., I hope to travel across the United States and gain additional scientific training by completing a post-doctoral appointment or two. Eventually, I would like to open my own laboratory at an institution and then train graduate students of my own. I would also like the opportunity to teach here or there. (Winning the Nobel Prize would be nice, too.)
Perla Rodriquez, biology major
Hometown: Brookshire, Texas
Expected graduation: May 2011
What research opportunities has the MARC program provided you? I've had the opportunity to work in numerous labs at different institutions: The University of North Texas Health Science Center, The University of Texas Southwestern, the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch, and I am currently at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio. I work in a microbiology lab, and have had the opportunity to help with work in a publication in which we show that age contributes to a decreased proinflammatory cytokine response to S. pneumonia during alveolar macrophage MAPkinase activation in mouse model. I am also searching for the effects of statins on the toxin pneumolysin in a mouse model.
How did you get interested in research? I did not know a thing about research or what scientists did until I my first research experience. I started research the summer after my freshman year. Before, I thought I wanted to pursue medical school before starting research, but I have already learned science in the lab that I know I wouldn’t have come across in textbooks. The next year Dr. Raabe recommended that I apply to the MARC program. I did, and I was accepted.
What has the MARC program meant to you? The MARC program is a great opportunity to get ahead of the game for applying to graduate school. As I've mentioned, I've worked in several labs that have exposed me to different types of research. I took it to my advantage to work in different labs to figure out more or less what I want to research in grad school. Thanks to the MARC program, I am a more competitive applicant. I already have presented research at national conferences. The MARC program has helped me find a career for the long run and I would recommend any student interested in biomedical research to apply.
What are your plans after graduation? I applied to six graduate schools, so far I have interviews at two of them, and I hope for more. I am aiming for a Ph.D. in a biomedical science, preferably in a metabolism track or molecular cell biology program because I am interested in diabetes research.
Hometown: Brookshire, TexasExpected graduation: May 2011
What research opportunities has the MARC program provided you? I've had the opportunity to work in numerous labs at different institutions: The University of North Texas Health Science Center, The University of Texas Southwestern, the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch, and I am currently at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio. I work in a microbiology lab, and have had the opportunity to help with work in a publication in which we show that age contributes to a decreased proinflammatory cytokine response to S. pneumonia during alveolar macrophage MAPkinase activation in mouse model. I am also searching for the effects of statins on the toxin pneumolysin in a mouse model.
How did you get interested in research? I did not know a thing about research or what scientists did until I my first research experience. I started research the summer after my freshman year. Before, I thought I wanted to pursue medical school before starting research, but I have already learned science in the lab that I know I wouldn’t have come across in textbooks. The next year Dr. Raabe recommended that I apply to the MARC program. I did, and I was accepted.
What has the MARC program meant to you? The MARC program is a great opportunity to get ahead of the game for applying to graduate school. As I've mentioned, I've worked in several labs that have exposed me to different types of research. I took it to my advantage to work in different labs to figure out more or less what I want to research in grad school. Thanks to the MARC program, I am a more competitive applicant. I already have presented research at national conferences. The MARC program has helped me find a career for the long run and I would recommend any student interested in biomedical research to apply.
What are your plans after graduation? I applied to six graduate schools, so far I have interviews at two of them, and I hope for more. I am aiming for a Ph.D. in a biomedical science, preferably in a metabolism track or molecular cell biology program because I am interested in diabetes research.
Journey of Hope Leads to Death Penalty Examination
St. Mary’s School of Law and University Ministry hosted speakers from Journey of Hope, an organization that advocates for alternatives to the death penalty by discussing the impact of the death penalty on society.On their stop at St. Mary’s, four people who have been personally affected by the death penalty spoke to a room full of both law and undergraduate students. Terri Steinberg talked about the conviction of her son for murder and her ongoing fight to prove his innocence as he waits on death row. The brother of “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski told the story of how he turned in his brother for a string of heinous crimes. Curtis McCarty spent 21 years in prison (19 on death row) before he was exonerated in 2007 of a murder.
Bud Welch lost his only daughter, 23-year-old Julie Welch, in the Oklahoma City Bombing. He spent his life opposed to the death penalty, but after Julie’s death, his feelings of rage and vengeance towards both Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols challenged his beliefs. He finally came to the conclusion that executing McVeigh and Nichols would only be an act of hate and revenge; the very same reasons that Julie and 167 others had died. Welch told the audience that “revenge had never healed anyone.” In September 1998, Bud met with Timothy McVeigh’s father Bill McVeigh for closure and understanding.
Many students, like Laredo freshman Anna Lichtenberger, came away from the moving and intense program with a different understanding of the death penalty. She said, “Most of what I heard was shocking and I feel I haven’t been very well informed about the death penalty or its ramifications before listening to the speakers.”
Pennsylvania Elects a Governor Who’s a Rattler
St. Mary’s School of Law alumnus Tom Corbett was sworn-in as governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on Jan. 18, making him the first St. Mary’s law graduate to lead a state as governor.
Corbett was awarded his juris doctor from St. Mary’s in 1975. Throughout his distinguished career, he has privately practiced law and served in many political posts, most recently as Pennsylvania’s attorney general. He was appointed U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania and filled several key roles in Gov. Tom Ridge’s administration including serving as chair to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. He was also named as one of the first members of President Reagan’s National Drug Task Force.
As attorney general, Corbett created the state’s Child Predator Unit as well as the Public Corruption Unit for cases involving public officials and government employees.
HAPCOA Award Goes to Alum and Former Ambassador
Former Ambassador and alumnus Oliver P. Garza received the 2010 HAPCOA Aguila Award for Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice. HAPCOA, the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, is the oldest and largest association in the U.S. of Hispanic American command officers from law enforcement and criminal justice agencies at the municipal, county, state and federal levels. The Aquila Award is the highest form of recognition given by HAPCOA for exceptional contributions to the organization’s mission and goals.United States Ambassador Oliver P. Garza (retired) joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1971. Quickly recognized as a rising star for his diplomatic skills, Garza was assigned throughout Latin America. Assignments included as the Charge ‘de Affairs and U.S. Ambassador ad interim at the U.S. Embassy within the Republic of Panama, and the Charge ‘de Affairs and Deputy Chief of Mission in the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia. He also served as U.S. Consul General in Guadalajara, Mexico. In 1999, Ambassador Garza was officially named as the U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua, a post he served in until 2002 when he retired from the Department of State. Garza returned to St. Mary’s, earning a master’s degree in international relations in 2004.
It’s a Match for St. Mary’s Future Doctors and Dentists
St. Mary’s University congratulates the 14 students who learned on February 1—Match Day—that they have been accepted into either medical or dental school.Ten of the students will be going to medical school and four will be attending dental school.
St. Mary’s is known for preparing students well for acceptance into medical and dentals school; traditionally more than half of the St. Mary’s students who apply for medical or dental school are accepted. That figure is well above the national average of 35 percent. The acceptance rate for this group of applicants was 58 percent.
All 14 of the students were accepted to Texas schools.
