Four Cal State Fullerton student researchers won outstanding research presentation awards at the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science — The National Diversity in STEM Conference for projects ranging from new treatments for the West Nile virus to whether microplastics disrupt the marine food chain.
CSUF students from multiple disciplines attended the recent conference in Honolulu, including scholars from the Southern California Ecosystems Research Program and Maximizing Access to Research Careers program. In the oral and poster presentations, they competed with students from universities across the country, including Harvard, Purdue, Berkeley, Vanderbilt, USC, and CSU and UC campuses.
The research and presentation awards recognize the next generation of underrepresented scientists and encourage students to continue pursuing the STEM fields.
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Award recipients are:
Biology graduate student Ariel Heyman, in life sciences, ecology and evolutionary biology, for her oral presentation on the impacts of sea level rise on Pelvetiopsis californica, a fleshy brown alga that lives in the rocky intertidal zone. Heyman’s faculty mentor is Jennifer Burnaford, associate professor of biological science.
Biochemistry major and MARC scholar Shaina Nguyen, in chemistry, for her research to develop new therapeutics to cure people infected with the West Nile virus. The President’s Scholar works under the mentorship of Nicholas Salzameda, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry.
Psychology major and MARC scholar Gerardo Sandoval, in psychology, for his study on using powerful molecular tools created for zebrafish to provide insights into learning, memory and neuropsychiatric disorders. His faculty mentor is Adam Roberts, assistant professor of psychology.
Biological science major and SCERP scholar Mayra Silva, in life sciences-marine sciences, for a group research project from the summer course on the movement of microplastics in the marine food chain in brine shrimp and moon jellies. Burnaford and William “Bill” Hoese, professor of biological science, direct the SCERP program.
Professor recognized for costume design
Hyun Sook Kim, an associate CSUF professor of costume design and a professional costume designer/artist, received a Good Design Award for her costume artwork at the 2019 Korea Fashion & Costume Design Association Annual International Invited Fashion Exhibition in November.
Kim, who has been at CSUF since 2017, said her inspiration for the dress design was a bird flying into “eternal space, an endless dark sky with stars.”
For her design, titled “Flying,” Kim used feather-motif appliqued dark-blue polyester, LED lights to represent the starry dark night on the garment, real feathers, and fabric paints and dyes.
“I am very excited for the design award,” Kim said. “I am happy with their appreciation for my Art-to-Wear work and feel very honored as an artist.”
Her design has been included in a book published on the exhibition.
Kim has mentored costume design students in such recent CSUF productions as “The Moors,” “2019 Fall Dance Theatre,” “2018 Spring Dance Theatre-IconoClasts” and “The Cherry Orchard.”
Her recent designs in professional productions include: “The Chinese Lady,” Greenway Court Theatre & Artists at Play in Los Angeles; “The Brothers Paranormal,” New York City Pan Asian Repertory Theatre; “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” San Francisco Shakespeare Festival; and “Camelot,” New York State Capital Repertory Theatre.
‘Drugs and Society’ class honors judge
The Public Health Department’s “Drugs and Society” class recently recognized Orange County Superior Court Judge Matthew Anderson for his contributions to their educational and professional development.
Dr. Ellen Lee, a faculty member with the Public Health Department, presented Anderson with a plaque on Nov. 21.
The class honored Anderson for the commitment and compassion he has shown to the participants of his Drug and DUI program.
“We are honored to receive this award from Cal State Fullerton,” he said. “Over the past five years, more than 1,000 students have filled our jury box to observe Drug and DUI Court at the Harbor Justice Center.”
Lee has been assigning her “Drugs and Society” students to Anderson’s program for five years. Her students have witnessed hundreds of Treatment Court participants commit to sobriety and become productive citizens as part of the immersive experience.
Student Christian Garcia said the experience was “eye opening,” and “changed my perspective on drug and alcohol offenders.”
Ruth Jimenez added, “Judge Anderson truly cares about the people in drug court.”
Anderson has run the DUI Court at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach since 2010. For accepted participants, the program is rigorous. The intensive program includes regular court appearances, counseling, and substance abuse treatment. Additionally, frequent and random testing for drugs and alcohol is necessary. The goal for all graduates is a continued commitment to sobriety.
“Students consistently tell us that our programs, and the respect and compassion we show each individual, change their negative views of the criminal justice system,” he said. “We are very grateful for CSUF’s enthusiastic support and look forward to welcoming many more students in the coming years.”