1. NMSU NIH Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement
Busi ne ss Name
Volume 1, Issue 1
Summer 2008
Desert SunRISE
Inside this issue:
RISE Spotlights
RISE Grad-Writing Skills
2-4, 7
3
RISE Scholar Presentations at the NMSU
Workshop
Spring 2008 Student Research Symposia
RISE GRE Preparation 3
Workshop
gleton, William Soto, and preparation for future ca-
Images at GRAS 5 Nabeeh, himself, presented reers focused on scientific
Images at URCAS 5 research. Along with in- inquiry, RISE undergraduate
Medicinal Plants of the South- 6
creasing submissions, Na- participants presented post-
west Program Admits 24 beeh directed GRAS toward ers at the Undergraduate
an artistic renaissance and Research and Creative Arts
Responsible Conduct in 6 to becoming the first GRAS Symposium (URCAS), which
T
Research Seminars
to include presenting grads is a yearly “celebration of
RISE Program Contact 8 from regional universities. undergraduate creativity in
Letter from the Director 8 he NMSU Graduate Following in the path of the all fields” that is organized by
RISE Program Fall Events 8 Student Council GRAS scholars and in the NMSU Honors College.
hosted the annual Graduate The symposium highlights
Research and Arts Sympo- excellence in undergraduate
sium (GRAS) on April 26-27 research and in creative art
IDEAS AND GOALS in the Corbett Center audito- works. URCAS also accred-
“...always think about the rium. RISE graduate student its the faculty mentors who
next step,...and if you Nabeeh Hasan led efforts to guide the research and pro-
don‟t have any ideas, then organize the regional sym- jects. Nineteen RISE under-
try to find good mentors posium where RISE grads grads and their RISE-
that will help you reach Jose Banuelos, Richard sponsored research were
that next goal.” Elicier, Iliana Ruiz-Cooley, represented at this year's
Gloricelys Rivera, Aerial Sin- URCAS poster by Toni Kinstle, 2008. 13t h an nu al URCA S.
Olivia George, Ph.D.
RISE Post-doc Spotlight on Dr. Olivia George
Former NMSU RISE scholar which was highlighted as the RISE always provided me
and fall 2007 doctoral gradu- issue‟s cover article. In a with access to funding so I
ate, Olivia George, has ac- recent RISE interview, Dr. could attend those confer-
cepted a post-doc position at George discussed how her ences...We had a peer-led
St. Jude‟s Research Hospital RISE experience influenced group where we tried to help
in Tennessee. Dr. George and guided her professional each other with critiques and
recently published an article development: “As a RISE suggestions of manuscripts
in ACS-Chemical Biology, student all of my networking that we were thinking of pub-
titled “Bisphenol A directly occurred at conferences like lishing”. Dr. George received
targets tubulin to disrupt SACNAS and [at] national her doctorate in Biology un-
spindle organization in em- meetings like the American der the mentorship of Dr.
Dr. Olivia George, Researcher at St. bryonic and somatic cells,” Society for Cell Biology— Brad Shuster.
Jude‟s Research Hospital, Tennessee

2. Page 2 Desert SunRI SE Volume 1, Issue 1
RISE Mentor Spotlight on Dr. James Herndon
Dr. James W. Herndon Jr., energy crisis of 1974: “North of my undergraduate re-
who is a member of the Carolina was thickly forested search advisor, and was
RISE Mentor Graduate Re- with pine trees and I read surprised that undergraduate
view Committee, was somewhere that the sap was researchers at regional U's
awarded NMSU‟s highest mostly hydrocarbons—just could make publishable con-
award for excellence in re- like gasoline. I therefore con- tributions to the field. I de-
search, the Westhafer cluded that it would burn, cided to go into academia
Award. Recognition is and tested this theory on an during my senior under-
awarded in memory of Dr. injured pine tree near my graduate year based on my
Robert L. Weshafer, an house. It worked like a undergraduate research ex-
NMSU professor in the De- charm and fortunately periences.” Dr. Herndon has
partment of Mathematical burned itself out after the a RISE-inspired lesson and
Sciences from 1946-1957. sap was consumed.” Dr. sound advice for us all: “Do
Dr. James W. Herndon, Professor, Curious about Dr. Herndon‟s Herndon quickly cautions us: something that you like and
NMSU Department of Chemistry
research trajectory, the RISE “Do not even think about that you find interesting, and
and Biochemistry
staff interviewed him and trying this in the dry forests worry less about its per-
inquired about his first of New Mexico.” Reflecting ceived „hotness.‟ NMSU
sparks of interests in chem- back to his early college does not hire „dinosaurs‟ for
THE NEXT STEP istry research and academia; years and reasons why he its faculty, and all of the
“Publication is vital for a he vividly described his first chose chemistry as his area RISE mentors would provide
graduate student to "experiment" during his high of research inquiry, Dr. some level of important
complete the next step of school years when the coun- Herndon added, “I was very practical training for a scien-
their journey…” try was in the midst of the impressed by the operation tific career.”
Dr. James W. Herndon,
Jr., Professor of
Chemistry, NMSU
RISE Grad Spotlight on Nabeeh Hasan
RISE graduate scholar Na- that our faculty often fail to and as active member in the
beeh A. Hasan is recipient of recognize during our tenure Biology Graduate Student
a coveted Mike Watts Out- at NMSU. It is nice to be Organization. Dr. C. Donovan
standing Leadership Fellow- recognized for contributions Bailey mentors Hasan in the
RISE-INSPIRED LESSON
“Always write and apply
ship, which is awarded by other than the number of RISE Program.
for available opportunities. the NMSU Graduate School. papers published or grants
A few hours spent crafting In a recent RISE interview, procured.” Hasan‟s leader-
manuscripts, applications, Nabeeh commented, ship presence at NMSU in-
and proposals can bring “Receiving the Watts Lead- cludes administrative and
tremendous respect of ership Fellowship from our academic enrichment contri-
your colleagues and can graduate school was a great butions to graduate life in
contribute thousands of way to start off the year. The positions as the 2007-08
dollars toward your Watts Leadership Fellowship President of the Graduate
research and personal
is a way that the school rec- Student Council, as coordi-
income.”
ognizes the leadership con- nator of the Phylogenetics
Nabeeh A. Hasan, Biology tributions we have made to Analysis and Discussion
NMSU RISE Graduate our departments, colleges, Group, as organizer of the
Student the university community, Ecology and Evolutionary
Las Cruces, and beyond, Biology Brownbag Series,

3. Desert SunRI SE Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 3
RISE Grad-Writing Skills Workshop SUMMER 2008
Josefina E. Dominguez of- Dominguez asserts, and put them on...The stu-
fered a RISE Graduate Writ- “Students have to learn to dent starts seeing that tran-
ing Skills Workshop this write well quickly in graduate sitions are missing from one
summer on English lan- school. The better the first paragraph to the next, that
guage mechanics, grammar, draft becomes, the better the ideas could be better ex-
conferencing, and in self revisions that follow. [In The plained, or that a step is
editing. Dominguez has 25 Craft of Scientific Writing], missing from an explana-
years experience as a high this means diminishing the tion.” Workshop participant
school English instructor of „zero phrases‟ or dead Nabeeh Hasan reflected on
courses ranging from reme- weight. A cleaner, more pre- his experience and stated, “I “The „Meet the Mentors‟
dial to regular to Advanced cise first copy comes with developed an increased way coupled with other
Placement (AP honors lots of practice.” She eagerly to critically assess my writing professional development
classes). The challenges adds, “The most exciting that can only increase my sessions helped students
she has met over the years moment for me is when the chances of properly convey- understand themselves as
made Dominguez a great student takes over editing. In ing my message to my audi- part of a larger structure:
match for leading the inten- a sense, they take my ence.” lab, department, university,
sive writing workshop. „editor‟s reading glasses‟ national cohort. It occurs to
me that the RISE Program is
and must be the catalyst for
organizing such
RISE GRE Preparation Workshop SUMMER 2008 opportunities.”
Josefina Dominguez, RISE
This summer the RISE pro- helping the students to write class. Also, one-on-one ses- Professional Skills Facilitator
gram offered an intensive better and to think more sions, in which I was able to
GRE Preparation workshop. complexly.“ When asked articulate more clearly the
The workshop prepares stu- about which strategies were students' particular tenden-
dent applicants for a com- most effective in reaching cies, seemed to speed the
petitive advantage in the the workshop objectives, learning process. It is hard to
graduate application proc- West added “The students teach writing, because the
ess. GRE prep instructor seemed to respond to read- students' skills vary so
Allyn West stated that “my ing published essays, and widely, but I think the one-on
main objectives, for the they also seemed to respond -one approach helped the
RISE workshop, included to any modeling we did in most.”
RISE Staff Spotlight: Linda Amezquita
Linda Amezquita is the RISE through humor.” Linda for their future that the RISE
Records Specialist and Web spends her days multi- program offers them. I be-
Master who greets new tasking and ensuring every- lieve I have actually had the
RISE applicants with her one is on the books. She opportunity,...to witness the
sweet sense of humor. Linda adds, “The most exciting moment when the realization
says, „I think my sense of part about working in the hits and everything begins to
humor is a good quality. It RISE To Excellence pro- fall into place. It truly is like
helps me remember that gram is seeing an undergrad watching a light come on in
there are few situations or student suddenly realize the the eyes of that special stu-
occasions that can't be opportunity and possibilities dent.”
helped by finding balance

4. Page 4 Desert SunRI SE Volume 1, Issue 1
RISE UG Spotlight on Jenifer Fleming
NMSU RISE participant and the most exciting when tak- was in RISE, so I had
spring 2008 graduate, ing college courses. I there- planned before.” She adds,
Jenifer C. Fleming is enter- fore decided to work in a “I am very excited to leave
ing the Ph.D. Biomedical biochemistry laboratory and NMSU—the only downfall is
Sciences program at the found research enjoyable. I I will no longer be close to
University of California, San am going to get my PhD and my family.” Reflecting back
Francisco, this fall. Before work in industry doing re- on her experiences, Fleming
Fleming started this exciting search.” Fleming has care- advises new RISE partici-
phase of her career, RISE fully planned her academic pants to “do as many sum-
OPPORTUNITIES staff asked about her par- trajectory; she exclaims, “I mer internships as possi-
“...do as many summer ticular area of research in- already knew what I was ble—they may be hard and
internships as possible— quiry and interests. Fleming going to do with my life be- far away but they really help
they may be hard and far commented “I have always fore entering the RISE pro- in the long run.” Dr. Peter J.
away but they really help been fascinated with science gram. I had been in MARC Lammers mentored Fleming
in the long run.” and found biochemistry to be for the two years before I during her RISE tenure.
Jenifer Fleming, Ph.D.
student in Biomedical
Sciences, UCSF
RISE UG Student Spotlight on Jaime Guerra
RISE undergraduate student studies are performed. It RISE program have both
Jaime Guerra is recipient of was a once-in-a-lifetime ex- prepared [me] enough that I
a summer 2008 internship perience and I won‟t forget will not be hit too hard by the
opportunity at Cornell Uni- it.” When questioned about difficulty of a Ph.D. program.
versity. One opportunity the transition to the next I would like to thank both my
leads to another recalls level of his career, Guerra lab and the RISE program
Guerra who said, “RISE al- remarked, “I‟m a little nerv- for preparing me so well...It
lowed me to go to Costa ous about the next step in would have been a lot
Rica as a field assistant for a my academic development harder without that guidance
grad student. This experi- but am eager to finish with and preparation.” Dr. Timo-
ence was great and it en- school altogether. I think the thy F. Wright mentors
abled me to learn how field lab I am working in and the Guerra in the RISE program.
RESEARCH GOALS
RISE UG Student Spotlight on Natasha Yazzie
“The goal of my research
gives me the opportunity RISE undergraduate student members. I will also have ence and inspired me to
to give back to the Natasha Yazzie is a summer gained more networks and continue my education...The
community. This 2008 recipient of an intern- great references if I need goal of my research gives
[environmental biology] ship opportunity at the Fred them.” Yazzie is a Biology me the opportunity to give
research is beneficial to Hutchinson Cancer Re- major with an expected back to the community.”
both the environment and search Center (FHCRC) in graduation date in spring Yazzie will present two post-
people, especially those Seattle, WA. Yazzie has 2009. She plans on applying ers at SACNAS this fall..
that have limited income.” practical expectations for out-of-state to earn her Ph.D. One presentation is on her
this experience; she says, “I Yazzie‟s enthusiasm for bio- summer cancer research
Natasha Yazzie, Biology,
expect to gain more knowl- logical research will continue and the other is on her RISE
NMSU RISE
Undergraduate Student
edge and learn more lab in grad school; she adds, environmental biology re-
techniques that I can use “...the RISE graduate school search with mentor Dr. Anto-
and share with other lab preparation is a great experi- nio Lara.

5. Desert SunRI SE Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 5
RISE Scholar Presentations at GRAS
RISE Scholar Presentations at URCAS

6. Page 6 Desert SunRI SE Volume 1, Issue 1
Medicinal Plants of the Southwest
Program Admits 24
The Medicinal Plants of the and visiting professors. Six MPSW participants have transi-
Southwest Workshop (MPSW) tioned to the RISE to the Doctorate component of the RISE
is a component of the NIH program, and are working in RISE mentor laboratories. The
Medicinal Plants of the Southwest MPSW participants showcased their summer research energies
Workshop Program (images above RISE program at NMSU.
and below). MPSW is a collaborative by presenting their work at the Medicinal Plants of the South-
teaching venture between Dr. west Workshop Poster Presentation. The poster titles are listed
Mary O‟Connell and Dr. Anto- below:
nio Lara. The MPSW program 1. “Tropane Alkaloid Concentrations in Datura innoxia Located
offers intensive research ex- in a Rural Versus industrialized Setting.”
perience for RISE participants Julian Sandoval, Sara Samani, Erica Perras
to study medicinal properties 2. “Comparative Analysis of Leaves and Seeds for Tropane
of southwest native flora at Alkaloids in Datura innoxia.”
NMSU. The MPSW program Jamira Virk, Raymundo Chavira, Darryl Reano
admitted 24 students for the 3. “Effects of Heat and Light on Lycopene in Tomato Fruit.”
summer 2008 workshop se- Karla Almaraz, Pablo Coss, Elena Taylor
ries. A typical workshop 4. “Comparative Analysis of Capsaicin in Habanero and
schedule consists of lectures Japanese Red Jalapeño Pepper.”
and lab activities. Participants Jarret Williamson, Kelli Buchanan, Tasha Rodriguez
search the literature, design 5. “Comparative Analysis Between Representatives of an Array
experiments, harvest plant of Capsicum fruit varieties for the Presence and Bioactivity of
materials, extract compounds, the Chemical Constituents: Capsaicin and Carotenoids.”
run separation analyses, de- Emilia Casillas, Mariela Jimenez, Charmaine Vega
velop bioassays, populate the 6. “Analysis of Processing Effects on Organic and Non-Organic
MPSW database with results, Solanum lycopersicum Levels of Lycopene and β-carotene.”
write, and critique peer papers Kathy Donoher, Lekeah Durden, and Jesus Martinez
for web publication. The work- 7. “Evaluation of Levels of Steroidal and Tropane Alkaloids in
shop series encompass a Solanum elaeagnofolium and its Antimicrobial Properties.”
holistic approach of inquiry Janeth Sanchez, Brittany Herrera, Trevor Wilhelm
with guest lecturers, including 8. “Analysis of Solasodine Extracted from Solanum elaeagno
physicians, herbalists, folium as an Anticancer Compound.”
curanderas (healers), story- Alexandru Boje, Jessica Fitzgerald, Jessica Perez
tellers, community scientists,
Visit the MPSW Web site for more info at: http://medplant.nmsu.edu/
Responsible Conduct in Research Seminars
The RISE Program launched ties that surround the practice Professor of Biology), 2)
the Responsible Conduct in of science in the 21st century “Introduction to Ethics and
Research (RCR) Seminar require that scientists work Philosophy” (Timothy Cleve-
series, the first of its kind on together to develop and es- land, Professor of Philoso-
the NMSU campus. “It is the tablish the ethical standards phy), 3) “NMSU Research
responsibility of all scientists, of their profession.” The 2008 Ethics Policies” (Robert Czer-
whatever their professional summer seminar series of- niak, Associate Vice Presi-
stage, to maintain abreast of fered an opportunity for all dent for Research), and
RCR education and to ensure members of the RISE com- 4) “NMSU Policies and Pro-
adherence to the highest munity to attend and discuss cedures for Research with
standards of scientific integ- presentations on four topics: Human Participants” (Manuela
rity,” says Dr. Serrano, RISE 1) “RCR Education Require- Quezada-Aragon, Director,
Program Director. “Moreover, ments in NSF and NIH Train- NMSU Office of Compliance).
the legal and social complexi- ing Grants” (Elba Serrano,

7. Desert SunRI SE Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 7
RISE UG Student Spotlight on Kellie Jurado
RISE undergraduate student Jurado‟s accomplishments plished two of my career
Kellie Ann Jurado is a spring include spearheading the goals: I will have research
2008 recipient of the NMSU Las Cruces Transitions pro- experience at a prestigious
Honors College Scholarship gram, which provides assis- institution with superb scien-
for International Research, tance to foster children in the tists; and, I will have per-
which provides a summer form of lifebook packages sonal progression from ob-
internship opportunity for her and material resources. “A taining an independent inter-
at the Max Plank Institute in lifebook is designed to en- national experience with a
Leipzig, Germany. The able the foster child to un- widened cultural [view of]
Award is for outstanding derstand significant events diversity.” Drs. Laura
sophomores and juniors in in the past, confront the feel- Thompson and Wenda Tre-
RESEARCH FOCUS
the third year of undergradu- ings that are secondary to vathan have served as Ju-
“Human reproductive
ate study. Recipients are these events, and become rado‟s mentors in the RISE
ecology focuses on
challenged “to refine a world more fully involved in the Program. In summer 2008,
reproductive physiology
view or philosophy of life that future planning of their lives” Kelly transitioned to our NIH-
and the regulation of
will complement and bring a states Jurado. She adds, MORE sister program,
reproductive effort in
higher level of understanding “After my arrival back at MARC (Minority Access to
natural human populations.
to his/her undergraduate NMSU, I will have accom- Research Careers Program).
I plan to dedicate my life to
education.” Remarkably,
this naturalistic approach to
the science of reproduction.”
Kellie Jurado, Psychology
RISE UG Spotlight on Savannah Benally NMSU RISE Undergraduate
Student
NMSU RISE and participant an account of the benefits life I am sure will bring en-
and May 2008 graduate, tied to joining a program— joyment, and supplement my
Savannah Benally is enter- such as RISE—that guides curiosity of the inner work-
ing the University of Wash- and supports professional ings of life...While I was in
ington Ph.D. program in Mo- development, career plan- RISE, I didn't have a clear
lecular and Cellular Biology ning, networking, and pub- concept of what was re-
this fall. In a recent RISE lishing. She remarked, quired in graduate school.
interview, Benally provided “Programs like RISE, MARC RISE essentially allowed me
VALUES OF NETWORKING
and AIP have contributed to to decide to actually attend
“...I am fortunate to have a
my ongoing success. Grad school. Once I joined
former Aggie help me get
They've coordinated work- MARC and approached my
settled into Seattle, and a
shops, info sessions, senior year, the details of
graduate student's way of
classes, seminars, etc. that publishing became apparent.
life. I couldn't give a better
allowed me to develop skills I do anticipate publishing the
example of the benefits of
socially, academically, and new findings of the research networking. ”
in choosing a career.” I've contributed these past
Benally attributes much of three years. I also know how Savannah Benally,
her success to the active important and beneficial a Ph.D. student in Molecular
support of these programs. publication in an upstanding and Cellular Biology,
She eagerly adds, “I am fas- journal could influence University of Washington
cinated by science. Working where I take my career,
toward a biochemistry de- which prompts me to set
gree has opened doors to a high goals for my graduate
research.”

8. RISE Office Letter from the Director
Minority Biomedical Research Support Our RISE (Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement)
Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS-RISE)
Community at New Mexico State University is committed to
New Mexico State University MBRS-RISE Program
1200 S. Horseshoe Circle, Room 365, Foster Hall, scientific research that will promote human health and re-
PO Box 30001 MSC 3AF duce illness and disabilities. RISE is a National Institutes of
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
Health (NIH) initiative that supports student scientific devel-
E-mail: mbrsrise@nmsu.edu opment activities in minority-serving institutions through
Phone: 575-646-8040 | Fax: 575-646-7011
awards from the Minority Biomedical Research Support
RISE is supported
by NIGMS award (MBRS) program. The goal of NIH-RISE is to diversify the
R25GM061222
scientific workforce by increasing the number of students
from underrepresented groups who complete Ph.D. degree
programs in biomedical and behavioral research.
RISE on the Web!
Dr. Elba Serrano
http://biology-web.nmsu.edu/nmsurise/index.html Professor of Biology & RISE Program Director
RISE Program Staff
Cathilia Flores, Program Coordinator
Linda Amezquita, Records Specialist
Josefina Dominguez, RISE Professional Skills Facilitator
RISE Program Fall Events Citlalin Xochime, Editor, RISE Professional Skills Facilitator
RISE Undergraduate Applicant Preparation
Workshop. This workshop offers practical experi-
ence in the planning and development of applica-
tion materials for graduate school programs, intern-
ships, or post-baccalaureate positions (Citlalin
Xochime, Workshop Facilitator).
RISE Graduate Professional Skills. BIO698 fo-
cuses on fellowship preparation, conference pres-
entation skills, and strategies for identifying and
securing postdoctoral positions. The course was
developed for RISE Graduate Scholars and is
open to all NMSU predoctoral students (Dr. Elba
Serrano, Professor of Biology).
SACNAS National Conference. Eighteen RISE RISE Student Advisory Committee
Scholars will present their research at this year‟s
conference on “International Polar Year: Global Jesus Cuaron, RISE Graduate Representative
Change in Our Communities,” October 9-12, 2008 Yvonne Diaz, RISE Undergraduate Representative
in Salt Lake City, Utah. Amanda Munoz, RISE Undergraduate Representative
Applicant Interview Preparation Workshop. This Emigdio Reyes, RISE Graduate Representative
workshop covers best practices and lessons
learned for navigating the graduate interview proc-
ess (Citlalin Xochime, Workshop Facilitator).
RISE Scholar Portfolio Preparation Workshop.
This workshop reviews essential genres of a port-
folio package. The focus is on genre preparation
and revision for a competitive edge for positions
across academia, industry, and government
(Citlalin Xochime, Workshop Facilitator).