STEM Scholars Program

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A unique educational journey

Through the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Scholars Program, St. Mary's University offers 24 science, engineering, technology and mathematics majors the opportunity to embark on a unique educational journey.

Thanks to a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the STEM Scholars program provides scholarships and special programming for the students who live and study together during the one-of-a-kind four-year program. The program targets financially disadvantaged, high-ability students who are first-generation students or from underrepresented groups. Four students are selected from each of the following majors: Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and Earth Science.

Activities

St. Mary's understands the value that community has for the majority of its students and has built the STEM Scholars Program upon high impact activities.

Prior to their first semester at St. Mary's, the STEM Scholars participate in a two-week Boot Camp as a way to introduce the students to the University. The STEM Scholars Program also includes a Living and Learning Community focused on offering a comprehensive package of student support services, academic enrichment, outreach, career exploration, job placement services, and graduate program advising services.

A foundational element of the STEM Scholars Program involves Scholars living in a STEM residence hall, originally implemented in 2009 to provide an enriched learning experience for STEM majors. St. Mary's STEM faculty, in coordination with Student Development, provides programming for the learning community members. The science-designated residence hall also houses STEM juniors and seniors who serve as peer mentors to the incoming freshmen. Throughout their time at the University, the Scholars participate in linked, thematic curricular experiences, including a Cornerstones freshman seminar, Scholars Seminars in years two and three, and a Capstone in year four.

Meet the Scholars

Learn more about the individuals taking part in this unique learning experience.

STEM Scholars

Claudia Areyzaga
Jullianna Farias
Brian Garcia
Joe Hernandez
Mercedes Kelso
Sam Lara
Bailey Philman
Mauro Rodriguez
Isiah Thornton
Mariah Villarreal

Claudia Areyzaga
Class of 2011
Whether studying for the LSAT to get into law school or attending a Rattler Council meeting, Claudia’s never-ending involvement in extra-curricular activities makes her a great person to know! An English major from El Paso, Claudia is the president of the Delta Zeta Sorority, a senior senator for the Student Government Association, an intramural sports champion, and a supreme student leader. Claudia’s blog details all St. Mary’s has to offer and shows how to do it all without your head exploding!

Jullianna Farias
Class of 2013
A future CEO or lawyer, Jullianna is in high demand. With other offers on the table, Jullianna chose to attend St. Mary’s University’s Bill Greehey School of Business after she was accepted to the Honors Program and she has excelled ever since. President of the Finance Club and equally involved in other activities, Jullianna’s blog highlights the bountiful opportunities available in the Bill Greehey School of Business and throughout the campus.

Brian Garcia
Class of 2013
Sophomore, corporate finance major, Brian Garcia is what student life at St. Mary’s University is all about. When not studying diligently (of course), Brian stays active playing any and every intramural sport he can and participating in various student organizations like Delta Sigma Pi, a co-ed business fraternity, and University Programming Council. Brian’s blog details the life of a quintessential student leader and offers advice to prospective students on how to get involved!

Joe Hernandez
Class of 2014
A Pre-Med/Biology major from Houston, Joe is focused on academics. But, the scope of his experiences at St. Mary’s extends way beyond the classroom. Among his many activities, Joe works with isotope tracers as part of his undergraduate research project, is a peer mentor in the FAM mentoring program for first-generation students, and takes advantage of the indoor swimming pool and workout facilities in the gym. Joe’s blog shows what life is like as a Bio major and being involved.

Mercedes Kelso
Class of 2015
Although a freshman from Boise, Idaho, Mercedes felt "at home" as soon she set foot on campus. Wasting no time, Mercedes joined the Marianist Leadership Program, Catholic Student Group, and The Rattler Newspaper. As an Honors student, Mercedes is dedicated to the challenging curriculum, but also finds time to attend campus events including "The Bridge," where she can worship every week. Her blog explores the exciting transition from high school student to college student.

Samantha "Sam" Lara
Class of 2013
Born and raised in San Antonio, St. Mary’s was the clear choice for Sam. After deciding to major in Marketing, she jumped right in with campus activities—she is a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority, participates in service projects through the Marianist Leadership Program, and mentors first-generation students, like herself. Sam’s blog tracks her journey as the first person in her family to attend college and details what it’s like to be a student at St. Mary’s.

Bailey Philman
Class of 2012
The typical upperclassman, Bailey is a fourth-year English Communication Arts major who lives off campus, but still manages to stay organized, involved with her friends and classmates, and connected with the campus community. With four years under her belt, she is able to offer nuggets of wisdom to college newcomers. Bailey’s blog documents her life as a college student at St. Mary’s University and offers insight along the way—from her top five tips to start college off right to how she’s planning for her future.

Mauro Rodriguez
Class of 2014
From the moment he stepped on campus, Mauro—a San Antonio native—has been getting involved and making a difference. Between playing matches on the intramural tennis court, tutoring students in math at the Learning Assistance Center, and introducing St. Mary’s students to HOSA: Health Occupations of America, Mauro somehow finds the time to study and have fun with friends. Mauro’s blog details life as a Pre-Med student at St. Mary’s.

Isiah Thornton
Class of 2013
Isiah has two passions: basketball and management. Not surprisingly, he is a manager of the men's basketball team and is majoring in management. With a busy schedule on and off the court, Isiah's blog gives readers a peek into his world: manager on the men's basketball team, competitor in intramural sports and member of the Black Student Union. An Ohioan until 2006, Isiah moved to San Antonio with his family and chose the St. Mary's University community to stay close to home.

Mariah Villarreal
Class of 2013
A San Antonio native who graduated from Warren High School, Mariah chose to study International Relations and expects to graduate in 2013. As a writer for St. Mary’s University's award-winning newspaper, The Rattler, a member of Amnesty International, President of The Diplomatic League, a mentor in the Big Brother, Big Sisters program, and a pledge for Alpha Phi Omega, Mariah stays active. Her blog gives the 411 about Greek Life and the secrets to how she keeps up with it all.

Program Faculty

Richard Cardenas, Ph.D.

Chair, Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, and Professor of Physics
Office: Garni Hall 212
Phone: (210) 436-3262
rcardenas@stmarytx.edu

Full Bio Details

B.A., University of California at Berkeley
M.S., Columbia University in New York City
Ph.D., Texas Tech University, 2001

Richard Cardenas, Ph.D., joined the physics faculty of St. Mary's University in the fall of 2000. He received his bachelor's in physics and applied mathematics and his master's in applied physics. After receiving his masters degree, he worked in industry for Lockheed Technical Operations Company (now called Lockheed Martin Technical Operations) and Incyte Genomics. Cardenas has research interests in biophysics, medical physics and physics pedagogy. His main research area involves the study of the effects of radiation on aqueous polymer gel systems and their uses in radiation dosimetry. These aqueous polymer gels are tissue-like, hence are useful tools for modeling radiation response of various types of tissue. In addition to the polymer gel studies, he has done research in physics pedagogy in collaboration with Texas Tech University and Harvard University using the force concept inventory.

He has published papers in journals including the American Journal of Physics, MRI and Neuroradiology. He has also presented his findings at conferences in Texas and Pennsylvania, among others. Cardenas' grants and contracts include the following:

National Science Foundation S-STEM Grant ($600,000). Title: St. Mary's University STEM Scholars Program
Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) awarded in 2011
DoD Instrumentation Program for Hispanic Institutions ($200,000). Title: Creating an Biophysical Characterizations Laboratory for Education and Research
Physics on the Road, the World Year of Physics Grant for Outreach ($10,000). Title: The Fiesta of Physics (With Olga Lobban)
San Antonio Area Foundation, Grant for Education and Outreach ($5,600). Title: The Fiesta of Physics (With Olga Lobban)
DoD Instrumentation Program for Hispanic Institutions ($192,738). Title: Acquisition of advanced scientific instrumentation for multi-disciplinary research training and education.

Christine E. Gray, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Office: Moody Life Sciences Center 304
Phone: (210) 436-4306
cgray@stmarytx.edu

Full Bio Details

B.S., DePaul University, 1986
Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 2005

Christine E. Gray, Ph.D., earned her bachelor's with majors in Biological Sciences and Secondary Education, and then taught high school courses in Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, and Topics in Laboratory Science for eleven years at two Chicago area high schools. Gray completed a Ph.D. in the Interdisciplinary Genetics program at Texas A&M University. Gray now teaches General Biology for Majors I and II, Developmental Biology, Evolutionary Biology and Genetic Principles at St. Mary's.

Much of her research involved the identification and initial characterization of a CTCF-like protein in both Aedes aegypti (the primary vector of both yellow fever and dengue fever) and Anopheles gambiae (the principal vector of falciparum malaria). CTCF is a well-known insulator binding protein in vertebrates and its mosquito homologue may provide a useful means to increase the efficiency of the process used to make transgenic mosquitoes. Transgenic mosquitoes are made for two key reasons: to learn more about key mosquito genes involved in the natural transmission of pathogens and to potentially create mosquito strains that are unable to transmit pathogens such as viruses, filarial worms and protozoans.

Gray is also working with several undergraduates on a project to investigate the mechanism for a phenomenon known as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in fruit flies (Drosophila). CI results when specific bacteria (Wolbachia) infect the tissues of insects. These bacteria are then passed very efficiently from mother to offspring, while uninfected females who mate with infected males are essentially sterile. It is hoped that greater understanding of this natural phenomenon might enable others to utilize Wolbachia as part of a strategy to reduce the ability of insect vectors of disease to transmit pathogens.

Mike Lecocke, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Mathematics
Office: Richter 231
Phone: (210) 436-3238
mlecocke@stmarytx.edu

Full Bio Details

B.S., St. Mary's University, 1999
M.A., Rice University, 2004
Ph.D., Rice University, 2005

Mike LeCocke, Ph.D., has focused primarily on statistics, mathematics and electrical engineering.

Susan P. Oxley, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Chemistry
Office: Garni Hall 303
Phone: (210) 431-6798
soxley@stmarytx.edu

Full Bio Details

B.S., Davidson College, 1998
Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003

After earning her doctorate, Susan P. Oxley, Ph.D., was a postdoctoral research associate and visiting faculty member at Trinity University in San Antonio from 2004-2007. Oxley joined the faculty at St. Mary's in 2007, and is responsible for teaching general chemistry, analytical chemistry and instrumental analysis.

Oxley's research interests are in the general field of surface chemistry. Her graduate studies involved generating and characterizing surface composition gradients by the electrochemical control of self-assembled monolayers on gold. She characterized the gradients using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. She also modified thiol gradients with the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin for studies of cell motility.

At Trinity University, Oxley studied thin films ( ~1 Ã‚Âµm thick) of low-temperature molecular solids using infrared spectroscopy. She studied the isotopic exchange of H2O and D2O on the surface of ice and hydrogen-bonding in mixtures of H2S and D2S at 70 K. At St. Mary's, Oxley has an ongoing project studying the affect of surface confinement on the acid/base properties of thiol molecules.