Record-setting number of students enter Summer Research Academy

Participating research fellows include front row (from left) Leona Caldemeyer, Samantha Steinley, Janet Arras, Michele Folmar. Back row (from left) are Juan Galvan, Chris Martinez, Gerardo Mederos, Anastasia DeRoussel, Cassie Skipper, Lauren Thomas, Kristen Chockley and Michael Comer. Courtesy Photo

Twelve University students, all undergraduates, are breaking new ground after being selected to participate in the UT System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation 2010 Summer Research Academy.

This year's group is the largest from the University in the 19 years of the program, Dr. Stephen B. Rainwater, UT Tyler LSAMP program campus director, said.

Participation is under the mentorship of faculty from the University's science, technology, engineering and mathematics departments.

For their efforts, students each receive a fellowship stipend. Faculty mentors receive funding for supplies and materials to support their student's research activities.

Participants, listed by hometown with their research field and faculty mentor include Gilmer, Leona Caldemeyer, biology, Dr. Troy Anderson; Houston, Samantha Steinley, biology, Dr. Ali Azghani; Lindale, Michael Comer, chemistry, Dr. Jennifer Pearce; and Cassie Skipper, biology, Dr. Blake Bextine; Longview, Janet Arras, biology, Bextine.

From Plano, Kristen Chockley, mathematics, Dr. Jennifer McLoud-Mann; Troup, Chris Martinez, electrical engineering, Dr. David Hoe; Tyler, Anastasia DeRoussel, biology, Anderson; Juan Galvan, biology, Dr. John Placyk; Gerardo Mederos, biology, Azghani; and Lauren Thomas, biology, Azghani. Also, from Winnsboro, Michele Folmar, chemistry, Dr. Tanya Shtoyko.

Dr. Don McClaugherty, chair and professor of chemistry; Dr. Don Killebrew, chair and professor of biology; and Dr. Jeffrey Mountain, associate professor of mechanical engineering, serve on the program's advisory committee.

SRA students are expected to participate in summer videoconferences involving all LSAMP fellows and mentors across the UT System.

Students are also scheduled to give poster presentations of their research project results at the academy's conclusion and the annual UT-LSAMP Student Research Conference planned for Sept. 16 -18 in El Paso.

The UT-LSAMP program is supported by funding from the National Science Foundation and provides undergraduate research experiences in an effort to increase the number of underrepresented students pursuing graduate level studies in STEM programs.