April 2017 | Vol. 8, No. 1

A Message from the Director

McNair Scholars ProgramNewsletter of the

Montoya and Wallace Join the Program as New Tutorial Faculty

New Tutorial Faculty 1

Scholar Cohorts 3

Summer Research Experience 4

Recent Graduates 5

Alumni Spotlight 6

Awards and Achievements 7

In this issue:

Kelly Lyons became thenew director of Trinity’s McNair Program inJune 2016.

From former director Michael Soto:

Dr. Kelly Lyons succeeded me as directorof the McNair Scholars Program effectiveJune 1, 2016. I am excited to see the Program flourish in her capable hands. Helping to prepare first generation, low

income Trinity students for the rigors ofacademic research and the demands ofgraduate study has been a truly humblingexperience. Your support has made thesuccesses of our Scholars possible: Out of 65 graduates (and counting), over halfhave enrolled in graduate school, withover a dozen presently working toward adoctoral degree. Using their Trinity edu-cation as a foundation, they’ve built new intellectual homes in graduate programsfrom UCLA and Stanford to Cornell andJohns Hopkins. Our Scholars’ triumphs belong to us all.

I look forward to witnessing continuedsuccess, and I know that Dr. Lyons andthe entire McNair team will continue tomake us proud.Please join me in welcoming Dr. Lyons to

her important new role.

Serving as the tutorial faculty for the2015-16 cohort is Dr. Alfred Montoya. He isa medical anthropologist and an assistant professor in the Department ofSociology and Anthropology. His researchconcerns HIV/AIDS and global healthhumanitarianism. He received his B.A. in anthropology from Trinity University,and his Ph.D. from the University of Cali-fornia, Berkeley. At Trinity he has taughtIntroduction to Anthropology; Interna-tional Issues in Health and the Environ-ment; Global Health; Health, Illness andSociety; HIV/AIDS: Nature, Power, Popu-lations; HUMA 1600, a first year seminar

called “Food, Culture and Power;” andResearch Methods: Fieldwork. He leads a health and the environment course toNicaragua, and recently returned fromleading a Freeman Foundation-funded research trip to Vietnam with four students.We are very pleased to have him on board.

Dr. Harry Wallace joined us last semester asthe tutorial faculty for the 2016-17 groupof Scholars. He has been at Trinity since 2003 and is an associate professor of psy-chology. A native of Silver Spring, Mary-land, Dr. Wallace received a bachelor’s (continued on next page)

Alfred Montoya

2

At the McNair 101 orientation session, Scholars receive their PAN iPad minis. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Kiran Lalani, Rosie Jozefiak,Janett Munoz, Maia Ogembo, Cynthia Alvarez, and (back row) Maria Olalde, Karina Bridges, Cristian Vargas, Brigitte Taylor, and Faith Deckard.

degree in English at Fairfield Universityin Connecticut. He later returned toschool to earn a master’s degree in generalpsychology from the University of NorthFlorida and a Ph.D. in experimental socialpsychology from Case Western ReserveUniversity in Ohio. Dr. Wallace also spenttwo years as a postdoctoral fellow at theUniversity of Florida. His Trinity teachingrotation includes Social Psychology, Prin-ciples of Psychology, Statistics and Meth-ods, and Science of Happiness seminars.His research lab is currently studying out-comes of narcissism, predictors of performance under pressure, and pitfallsof high personal autonomy. Dr. Wallace isthe chair of the Trinity Institutional ReviewBoard. He met his wife, Trish Wallace, atransportation planner for the City of SanAntonio, as she was waiting tables at aTex-Mex restaurant in Virginia (San Antonio

was meant to be). If Dr. Wallace isn’t responding to your e-mail, he is probablyriding one of his bicycles with a smile.

Harry Wallace

New Tutorial Faculty (continued from page one)

Director: Kelly Lyons, Ph.D. (biology)Associate Director: Teresa Morrison, M.A.E.Program Assistant: Beckie Ugolini, B.S.

McNair Tutorial Faculty: Rosana Blanco-Cano, Ph.D. (modern languages and literatures)Harry Wallace, Ph.D. (psychology)Alfred Montoya, Ph.D. (sociology and anthropology)

Please direct inquiries to:McNair Scholars ProgramTrinity UniversityOne Trinity PlaceSan Antonio, Texas 78212

Phone: 210-999-7194Fax: 210-9990-7195Online: gotu.us/mcnair

Visit our office: CSI, Room 422

e McNair Scholars Program at Trinity University is partially funded by a grant from the U.S. Depart-ment of Education. Additional funding is provided by Trinity University.

McNair Scholars Program

3

2015-16 Cohort of Scholars

Welcome, New Scholars!

Cynthia Alvarezpsychology, neuroscience San Antonio

Faith DeckardbiologyNacogdoches, TX

Karina Bridgesbiology, sociologyEdinburg, TX

Nicole “Rosie” Jozefiakbiology, Greek Harrison Township, MI

Kathryn Funderburghistory Tyler, TX

Janett Muñozbiochemistry and molecular biology San Antonio

Kiran Lalanibiology, sociologySan Antonio

Maia OgembobiologyArlington, TX

Brigitte TaylorpsychologyTulsa,OK

Maria Olaldeanthropology, SpanishSan Antonio

Cristian Vargasbiochemistry andmolecular biologyShreveport, LA

Yasmeen Alaylibiochemistry andmolecular biology San Antonio

Michael “Cole”CallenSpanish, GermanMobile, AL

Briana AzuaEnglishSudan, TX

Sarah Fordincomputer science,biologyLoxahatchee, FL

Samsara Davalos-Reyes sociologyHouston

Karina Mendez-PerezneuroscienceAustin

Daisy Horrbiology Austin

Michelle Nguyenanthropology Humble, TX

Frances StonephysicsGeorgetown, TX

Zabdi Salazarpolitical scienceAustin

Decory Edwardseconomics, math Houston

Autumn Sutherlandpsychology Memphis, TN

Stephanie MunozpsychologyHouston

2016-17 Cohort of Scholars

4

2016 Summer Research Experience (SRE)

Cynthia Alvarez “Lipid Analysis of Astrocyte Secretions: Change asa Function of Age;” Dr. James Roberts, neuroscience nKarinaBridges “Reduction of Escherichia coli Populations by ProbioticBacilli in Limiting Nutrient Environments;” Dr. Frank Healy, biology n Amanda Cantu “Dialectical Behavior erapy for Adultsvs. Adolescents: A Comparative Meta-analysis;” Dr. William Ellison, psychology n Faith Deckard “Using your muscles to attracta mate, lizard style: Muscle physiology and social behavior inCaribbean anoles;” Dr. Michele Johnson, biology n Liliana Diaz“Vaca Muerta’s Global Opportunity;” Dr. omas Tunstall, Insti-

Roots in Arabidopsis;” Dr. James Shinkle, biology n KiranLalani “Berberine Enhances Sociability and Dampens SocialDominance in Mice;” Dr. Georgianna Gould, physiology,UTHSCSA n Megan Medrano “Cinelatinidades: Gender, Sexu-ality and Cinema in the Americas;” Drs. Dania Abreu-Torres,Rosana Blanco-Cano, and Rita Urquijo-Ruiz; modern languagesand literatures n Yvette Muñiz “e Evolution of Black CarbonPhysico-Chemical Properties in Soils;” Dr. Carrie Masiello andLacey Pyle, Earth science, Rice University n Janett Muñoz“Exploring the Effect of Distal Charges on the Reduction Poten-tial of the ermus thermophilus Rieske Protein;” Dr. LauraHunsicker-Wang, chemistry n Maia Ogembo “UnderstandingSynthesized Pyrrolidinone Antibiotic Mechanism and Pseudomonasaeruginosa Mutations Aer Adaption to an Antibiotic;” Dr. HeerMehta and Kathryn Beabout, biosciences, Rice University n

Maria Olalde “Sante Fe Fiesta: Understanding Spanish and Faith Deckard

Cristian Tovar-Vargas

Karina Bridges

tute for Economic Development, UTSA n Kathryn Funderburg“Grave Witness: e Circulation and Manuscript Forms of RichardRolle’s Lessons of the Dead;” Dr. Andrew Kraebel, English; Dr.Michael Hughes, Library n Rosie Jozefiak “Annexins Contributeto Resistance to Ultraviolet Radiation Stress in Leaves but not

Native American Identities and Cultural Representation;” Dr. Amy Stone, sociology and anthropology n Anthony Sanchez“Encouraging Student-Faculty Relationships in Educator Prepara-tion;” Dr. Heather Haynes Smith, education n Nick Swanson“Analyzing Remote Utility Meter Diagnostics on a Mesh Networkto Increase Power Grid Efficiency;” Dr. Larry Palmer, SilverSpring Networks n Brigitte Taylor “Investigating the RelationshipBetween Food Insecurity and Negative Psychological Outcomes”Dr. Carolyn Becker, psychology n Cristian Vargas “Investigatingthe Effectiveness of Novel Antifungal Agents Using MurineModels of Invasive Aspergillosis and Candidiasis;” Dr. omasPatterson and Laura Najvar, infectious diseases, UTHSCSA

5

Jonelle Bailey, Ed.D., Developmental Education Administration, Sam Houston State University, May2016 Aimee Belanger Ph.D., psychology, Miami Univer-sity, December 2016 Taren Blackmon, Master of PublicHealth, UTHSC-Houston School of Public Health, May 2016 Leslie Cook, B.S., biology,Trinity University, May 2015 Alexis Daggett, B.S., biology and chemistry, Trinity Univer-sity, May 2016 Namchi Do, B.S., computer science, Trinity University, May 2016 Franchesca Escapita, B.A., English, Trinity University, May 2016 Giovanna Espinoza, B.A.,Spanish, Trinity University, May 2016 Cole Evans, B.S., neuroscience and psychology,Trinity University, May 2016 Megan Garcia, Master of Business Administration, Uni-versity of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, May 2016 Jonathan Gallegos M.S., psychology,e Pennsylvania State University, August 2016 Victoria Gbenjo, Master of PublicHealth, UTHSC-Houston School of Public Health, May 2016 Samantha Gonzalez, Mas-ter of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, August 2015Peggy Guo, Doctor of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern, June 2016 JaferalyHooda, B.A., philosophy, Trinity University, May 2016 Phuong Khuu, Master of Sciencein Physician Assistant, Baylor College of Medicine, December 2014 Daniel Large, Mas-ter of Public Administration, University of Texas at San Antonio, May 2016 Si Ying Li,Master of Arts in Teaching, Trinity University, May 2016 Anthia Liu, B.S., InternationalBusiness & Interdisciplinary Studies, Trinity University, May 2015 Sonny Luna, B.A., art,Trinity University, May 2016 Valerie Martinez, Master of Social Work, University ofTexas at San Antonio, August 2016 Ismerai Monreal, B.A., communication, Trinity Uni-versity, May 2015 Gabriella Montemayor B.S., business administration, Trinity Univer-sity, August 2016 Rosa Olivares, B.A., sociology, Trinity University, December 2015Kallie Pfeiffer, Master of Fine Arts, University of Texas at San Antonio, May 2016 VictorRodriguez, Master of Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center School of RuralPublic Health, May 2016 Steven Sannoh, B.S., accounting, Trinity University, May 2016Clarissa Terrell M.A., educational psychology, e University of Texas at Austin, De-cember 2015 Nathan Tovar, M.A., Administration, Leadership and Technology, NewYork University, May 2016 Christian Tovar-Vargas, B.A., psychology, Trinity University,May 2015 Jonathan Trejo, Master of Public Health, University of Texas Houston Schoolof Public Health, December 2014 and Doctor of Medicine, University of Texas HealthScience Center at, San Antonio, May 2015 Arnulfo Tunon, B.S., neuroscience, TrinityUniversity, May 2016 Aimee Vidaurri, Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Texas atAustin, May 2015 Shalee Wallace B.S., nursing, UT Health Science Center School ofNursing, August 2016 Katy Yachinich Zuniga M.A.T., Trinity University, May 2015

Our Scholars have recently been acceptedto the following graduate institutions:

American UniversityCarnegie Mellon UniversityColumbia UniversityGeorge Mason UniversityJohns Hopkins UniversityRice UniversitySyracuse UniversityTemple UniversityTexas A&MTexas A&M Health Science CenterTrinity UniversityUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamUniversity of Alaska-Fairbanks/Colorado State University Collaborate DVM Program

University of Colorado Colorado SpringsUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUniversity of Houston-Clear LakeUniversity of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine

University of MichiganUniversity of North Carolina-Chapel HillUniversity of North Texas Health Science Center

University of San FranciscoUniversity of SeattleUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Texas at San AntonioUT Health Science Center at HoustonUT Health Science Center at San AntonioUniversity of TulsaUniversity of Utah School of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison

2014 McNair alumni TerrinBlackmon, Valerie Martinez,Victor Rodriguez, and KatyYacinich, as well as 2015McNair alumna Anthia Liu,joined us for dinner aer the2016 SRE Orientation toshare insight, experiences,and advice about researchand graduate school. It wasgreat to see all of them!

Congratulations to Our Recent Graduates!

medical school, but also taught me a lotabout my goals and where I wanted to goin the future.” He further advised Scholarsto be proactive and persistent and to ad-vocate for themselves. “ere are timeswhen you’ll have to step out of the ‘Trinitybubble’ and put yourself out there. Moreoen than not, you’ll be glad you did.is goes for graduate school funding,applications, and interviews.” Finally, he recommends that Scholars practice interviewing and “definitely proofreadeverything.”

Aimee Vidaurri ’12

Aimee Vidaurri graduated from Trinityin May 2012 with a bachelor of arts in political science. While at Trinity she waspresident of Pi Sigma Alpha, Xi Omicronchapter, the political science honor soci-ety. In May 2015, Aimee graduated withhonors earning her juris doctor from the

University of Texas School of Law, whereshe obtained two judicial internships andwas a Pro-Bono Scholar, completing over250 hours of pro-bono work. Aimee cur-rently works as a litigation attorney atSusman Godfrey in Houston.

When asked to share advice with cur-rent Scholars, Aimee had plenty of sug-gestions. “Trinity has amazing programs,”said Aimee. “Take advantage of them[and] maximize your McNair experienceby working closely with professors thatcan serve as mentors. Develop a relation-ship with your adviser.” She feels it’s im-portant to balance applications and yourlast semesters well and schedule time tostudy for admissions tests. Furthermore,Aimee suggests Scholars “seek out a men-tor (or several). is is the most valuabletool. Don’t be afraid to reach out. Peopleare willing to help and guide you if youask.” She advises to make a wise decisionon where you go to graduate school:“Your education is an investment.”

Jonathan Trejo

Alumni Spotlight:Where Are They Now?

6

Jonathan Trejo ’11

Jonathan Trejo graduated from Trinityin May 2011 with a bachelor of science inbiology and minor in Spanish. He wenton to pursue graduate studies at the Uni-versity of Texas Health Science Center atSan Antonio (UTHSCSA), where he wasa Lozano-Long Presidential Scholarawardee from 2011-2015. Jonathan wasactive in the chapter of Frontera de Saludat UTHSCSA, with trips to colonias in theCorpus Christi area to participate in healthfairs. He also had an article on advancedprimary care in San Antonio published inthe Journal of the American Board of Fam-ily Medicine in 2013. He earned his masterof public health degree in December 2014

and his M.D. in May 2015, and is currentlya PGY-1 internal medicine resident atUTHSCSA.

Dr. Trejo has several tips to share withcurrent Scholars: “Take advantage of theopportunities McNair and Trinity providefor your growth, whether it is intellectual/academic or not,” he says. “e experiencesat Trinity not only allowed me to get into

Aimee Vidaurri

Jonelle Bailey

7

Karina Bridges n Alpha Epsilon Delta, National Pre-Medical Honor SocietyAmanda Cantu n Alpha Epsilon Delta, Na-tional Pre-Medical Honor Society; DanielLubetzky Kindness Award, 2017 AlexisDaggett n Omicron Delta Kappa, leadershipand high scholastic achievement SamsaraDavalos-Reyes n Emerging Student Leader,2017 Faith Deckard n Explorers Club YouthActivity Fund Grant; Joint AdmissionsMedical Program; Alpha Epsilon Delta, National Pre-Medical Honor Society Liliana Diaz n U.S.-Mexico FoCUS Program;first place, Social Science Oral Presentations,Florida International University McNairScholars Conference Giovanna Espinoza n

Sigma Delta Pi, National Honor Society of Spanish Language Kathryn Funderburg n

Beinecke Scholarship ($34,000 towardgraduate school education in the Humani-ties); Francis Hendrick’s Prize, Departmentof History; “Abbot Suger’s St. Denis and theCult of Relics,” Expositor Journal of Under-graduate Prose; “Nature 5, 2012,” TrinityLiterary Review Magazine; “Rust, Soil, andSky” Best in Show, Study Abroad Photo-graphy Competition, and selected as coverart for the Trinity Literary Review Maga-zine; Trinity Women’s Club Scholarship;University Scholar Daniel Large n thirdplace, Master’s student category; UTSA 3-Minute esis Competition Sonny Luna n

Excellence in Art, Department of Art andArt History Yvette Muñiz n OutstandingPresentation Award, Gulf Coast Under-graduate Research Symposium, Rice University; Southwest Gem and MineralSociety Scholarship; Sigma Gamma Ep-silon, Delta Xi chapter Nancy Nguyen n

Translational Science Training TL1 ScholarAward, UTHSCSA Institute for Integrationof Medicine and Science; American HeartAssociation Predoctoral Fellowship AnthonySanchez n First Place Presentation, SocialScience Category, and Best Overall OralPresentation, Florida International Univer-sity McNair Scholars Conference FrancesStone n Emerging Student Leader, 2017 Nick Swanson n FASTER Grant ChristianTovar-Vargas n 2016 Sports Business Class-room program, “Miami Dolphins addingvalue to overcome tough sell,” e Score-card, October 22, 2015; “Cracking the college student attendance code,” e Scorecard, October 13, 2015

Jonelle Bailey ’08, ’09

Jonelle Bailey was part of the very firstMcNair Scholars Program cohort startingin December 2007. She graduated fromTrinity with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanishand religion in 2008, and then earned herMaster of Arts in Teaching in 2009, alsofrom Trinity. Aer graduation, Jonelletaught Spanish for 7 years at Bush HighSchool in Houston, and in 2012 also taught3- and 4-year-olds at a private school, in-corporating Spanish in the curriculum.Aer years of service in secondary educa-tion, Jonelle embarked on a journey togain teaching experience in post-secondaryeducation.

Aer much researching and planning—including taking the GRE—Jonelle wentback to graduate school and in May 2012she became part of the first cohort of theEd.D. program in Developmental Educa-tion Administration at Sam Houston StateUniversity. In fact, Jonelle was the first in

this doctoral program to complete her re-search proposal, defend her dissertation,and then graduate in May 2016. A lot offirsts for sure!

“I give back and serve,” Jonelle sharedwith us previously. “My hope is to be in aposition to teach at an institution of highereducation and have the opportunity towork with students as part of a non-profitChristian organization that does missionwork and provides health care and edu-cational opportunities to developingcountries, in particular those that areSpanish-speaking.” Jonelle is grateful forthe opportunities that she has receivedand would like to be a part of a collabora-tive and reciprocal effort to help others inour local and international communities.She recently was an adjunct professor ofeducation at San Jacinto College and iscurrently teaching Spanish at KempnerHigh School. She aspires toward contin-ued professional growth and developmentto be of more help. We are very proud ofJonelle and all her accomplishments!

Notable Honors, Awards, and Achievements

One Trinity PlaceSan Antonio, TX 78212-7200

Non-Profit OrganizationU. S. Postage

P A I DPermit No. 210

San Antonio, TX 78212

McNair Scholars Program

Janett Muñoz pipettes chemicals into a Erlenmeyer flask for her 2016 SRE project.