Spring 2008 News Issue X

Louisiana State University

OSI QUARTERLY OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INITATIVES

Office of Strategic Initiatives ▪ 240 Thomas Boyd Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 ▪ (225) 578-7230 ▪ osi.lsu.edu osi.lsu.edu

It is time for us to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever, the one who r e c o g n i z e s the challenge and does s o m e t h i n g about it.”—

Vince Lombardi (Football Coach)

As you scan the pages of this newsletter, closely observe our graduates and their outstanding accomplishments. These young people took the challenge to embark on a task that others sometimes only dream of or turn their backs on. Many of these students faced the challenge of

acquiring a college degree and at the same time met the rigid requirements of honor programs that had them doing research, community service and mentoring undergraduates. Their drive and determination heightened the challenges we set forth in the programs OSI has developed on this campus, and in some cases, in partnership with other universities. They came from different parts of the country, with very different backgrounds, and yet collectively set a goal to work as a group, with the sole purpose of elevating themselves and these programs. Whether they were LA-STEM, HHMI, S-STEM, or McNair participants, they performed the tasks at hand with a flagship

attitude well known to this campus. I am proud of them, as I know their families are, and look forward to the new challenges they have accepted while attending graduate school. They will be missed and remembered, and my new challenge to them is to return and give back to those who attempt to follow in your footsteps because as Mark Twain so eloquently put it- “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Farewell and Good Luck!

Message from the Vice Chancellor

S-STEM Scholars Program

In this Issue: Message from the Vice Chancellor 1 S-STEM Scholars Program 1 Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Professors Program 2 Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (LA-STEM) Research Scholars Program 3 Ronald E. McNair Research Scholars Program 4

Spring 2008 GraduatesSpring 2008 Graduates

Sharhonda Biley BS in Biological Sciences

Grace Browne BS in Biochemistry

Tonye Jones BS in Biological Sciences

Daniel Pegues BS in Biological Sciences

Amy Thierry BS in Biological Sciences

Maria Waight BS in Biological Sciences

Congratulations SCongratulations S--STEM Graduates and Good Luck!STEM Graduates and Good Luck!

Isiah M. Warner, Ph.D.

Tasha Toliver

Tasha Toliver, a native of Baton Rouge, graduated valedicto-rian of Southern University Lab School. Toliver feels HHMI has impacted her life because it taught her the value of in-terdependence, life-long friendships, and self-confidence. HHMI also provided her with many opportunities to conduct research and work with faculty researchers. Tasha per-formed breast cancer research with the Biological Sciences and Food Sciences departments. Through these experiences she has been able to network with individuals that she would not have met otherwise. She received a B.S. in Biological Sciences and plans to attend Southeastern Louisiana University Nursing School to pursue a Bachelors of Nursing and later a Masters of Nursing degree and work as a Nurse Practitioner.

Congratulations HHMI Graduate!

Summer 2008

The 2008 HHMI High School Science and Math Summer Program will operate June 9 to July 18, 2008.

This year there are 18 participants, all of whom exhibit great potential for success and are com-mitted to excelling aca-demically. Several fun-filled activities and field trips are planned to en-sure this is a memorable, and adventurous sum-mer. It is our intention to not only present stu-dents with opportunities that will assist them to advance academically, but to grow and develop into responsible, well rounded individuals.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professors Program

Welcome New HHMI Mentors

Amber Abbott Walker, LA

Biology

Jeremy Chavis Baton Rouge, LA

Electrical Engineering

Blaise Clarke Baton Rouge, LA

Biology

The OSI staff is proud to introduce the newest additions to the HHMI family.

Michael Johnson Zachary, LA Chemistry

HHMI Partners with Community Colleges This summer the LSU Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professors Program will partner with Community Colleges to promote diversity in the STEM disciplines. Participants will receive a $3,000 stipend per academic year for two years. In addition to a yearly stipend, they will also participate in the HHMI Research Enrichment Program with a $1,500 stipend for their first summer appointment. Each scholar receives mentoring from researchers and professionals in his or her field, advising from program staff, research opportunities on university campuses, and increased opportunities for paid summer research.

LaKenya Holmes Program Manager

LA-STEM has so much to be excited about! This semester was bittersweet.. LA-STEM said fare-well to 15 outstanding Scholars at our first annual OSI Graduation Reception. These scholars rep-resented the first graduating class from the original cohort group. In the presence of their par-ents, family, and friends, the students’ accomplishments were celebrated by current and former OSI staff. Keynote speaker, Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost, Dr. Astrid Merget congratulated this group of LA-STEM pioneers. Vice Chancellor, Dr. Isiah M. Warner and Dr. Saundra McGuire presented the students with congratulatory gifts. As we say best wishes to our graduates, we wait with anticipation for our incoming freshmen. The LA-STEM family will welcome 22 high school graduates and 3 LSU undergraduates this summer for our 2008 OSI Summer Bridge Pro-gram.

Message from the Program Manager Melissa B. Crawford

Stuart Adams BS in Civil Engineering

Corey Black BS in Biological Sciences

Harold Boutte II BS in Chemistry & BS in Biochemistry Plans to attend Duke University

Brad Corso BS in Physics, Magna Cum Laude Minor in Mathematics Plans to attend UC Irvine

Andrew Davidson BS in Electrical Engineering Minor in Mathematics Plans to attend UC Davis

Allison Doherty BS in Biological Sciences

Amber Fontenot BS in Biological Sciences, Magna Cum Laude Plans to attend Tulane University

Vyran George BS in Chemical Engineering Minor in Chemistry Plans to attend Georgia Institute of Technology

Daniel Guillot BS in Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude, College Honors Minors in Psychology & Latin

Donald Higgins BS in Biological Sciences

Rachel Mannino BS in Physics, Cum Laude Minor in Mathematics Plans to attend Texas A & M

Stephen McCullough BS in Biological Sciences, Magna Cum Laude Minors in Chemistry & Music Plans to attend Mount Sinai

Rachel Ohlmeyer BS in Biological Sciences Plans to attend LSU in Shreveport

Kortney Raeuchle BS in Biological Sciences, Cum Laude Minors in Chemistry & Psychology Plans to attend LSU in Shreveport

Joshua Reaves BS in Biological Engineering

Welcome new Welcome new LALA--STEM STEM students! students!

John Andermann

Ashley Barker

Katherine Blackburn

Brandon Boyd

Nicholas Cannady

Winston Capps

Carmen Cartisano

Caitie Davis

Kason Diez

Jonathan Gardner

Stephanie Juneau

Kendall Knight

Kori Lutenbacher

Shari Mahoney

Nathalie Malcolm

Hannah Manuel

Natalie Mills

Mary-Anne Nguyen

Lauren Oliver

Shan’Terika Remo

Jules Robicheaux

Jared Roussel

Arnold Thomas

Marcus Toussaint

Casey Tsai

Spring 2008 LASpring 2008 LA--STEM GraduatesSTEM Graduates

LALALA---STEM Research Scholars ProgramSTEM Research Scholars ProgramSTEM Research Scholars Program

Ronald E. McNair Research Scholars Program

Jared Avery ≈ Psychology LSU graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology . Avery’s research project includes, “Working Memory and Beck’s Depression Inventory,” under the direction of Dr. Emily Elliott. Mr. Marco Barker served as a mentor for Avery. Upon graduation, Avery plans to attend Graduate School at Louisiana State University.

Sharhonda Biley ≈ Biology-Pre-Med LSU graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. A McNair Scholar since the summer of 2006, she is a National Medical Association Scholarship recipient, Bengal Group Incorporated Scholarship recipi-ent, and a member of LSU S-STEM Program and Gamma Beta Phi Sorority. In addition, she was awarded the TOP Scholar-ship, Clarence P. Dunbar Scholarship, SMART Grant, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholarship. Her research project titled: “A Dissection of the Domesticated Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus, forma domestica) with special attention to the Fascia superficialis of the trunk”, was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Dominique Homberger, who also served as her mentor. Sharhonda

plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has been accepted into the LSU School of Medicine at Shreveport and LSUM New Orleans (where she will attend on a full tuition scholarship).

Alanah Frilot ≈ Psychology LSU graduate earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology. She is a Black Faculty and Staff Caucus Scholar-ship recipient, Arts and Science Honors Convocation Award, A. W. Walsdorf Scholarship, TOPS Scholarship, Opelousas Pan-Hellenic Scholarship, Elise S. and Charles E. Kaufman Scholarship, Leveraging Education Assistance Partnership Scholarship recipient, as well as a participant in the REU Summer Research Program Minority Group Demography at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research project titled, “Children of Divorce: Behavioral and Adjustment Problems,” was conducted under the supervision of Dr. David Spruill. Dr. Laura Choate and Dr. Seth Kunan served as her mentors. After graduation,

Frilot plans to acquire a PhD. in Community Counseling .

Maya Clark ≈ Mechanical Engineering LSU graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Mechanical Engineering. She is an Anna R. Meyers Scholarship recipient, BASF Scholarship recipient, TOPS recipient, Raytheon Scholarship recipient and a National Society of Collegiate Merit Award recipient. In addition, she is an INROADS Scholar. Along with these accomplishments and awards she also was on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List. Clark’s research projects include, “Mechanical Solid Modeling Using SolidWorks 2004,” and “Fabrication of E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Vinyl Ester Grid Structures,” under the direction of Dr. Su-Seng Pang. Dr. Pang and Dr. Guoqiang Li served as mentors for Clark. Upon graduation, Clark plans to work in

Washington D.C. for a few years before attemding graduate school.

Stephanie Huston ≈ Criminal Justice Southern University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Criminal Justice. A McNair Scholar since the summer of 2007, she is a TOPS Scholarship recipient, Merit Scholarship recipient, obtained the 3rd highest GPA in the Southern Region of Mu Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, SU Dean’s List Award, Top French-100 Student Award, and a member of the Southern University Honors College. Her research projects included, “The Causes and Effects of Distrust Among Citizens Towards Law Enforcement Officials,” and “An Analysis of the Perception of the Police according to Southern University’s Student Body due to Law Enforcement Official’s Alleged Misuse of Authority in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, LA,” under

the supervision of Dr. Frederick Weil and Mr. Stephone K. Addison. Mrs. Deadra James-Mackie served as her mentor. She has been accepted by Florida State University and Suffolk University for a joint masters degree program in Criminal Justice/Public Administration. She has also received an Employment Assistance Program and CLAS Grant.

2008 Graduate Profiles

Kevin Moore II ≈ Psychology Kevin Moore received his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology from Louisiana State University. A McNair Scholar since Summer 2007, Moore completed a research project titled, “Study of linguistic patterns of Mayan Tojolab’al conver-sation, especially borrowed Spanish discourse markers,” under the supervision of Dr. Jill Brody. Dr. Emily Elliott served as his mentor. He was a TOPS Scholarship recipient and received the LSU Honors Program Award.

Darla Summers ≈ Political Science A McNair Scholar since the summer of 2006, Darla Summers received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Political Science from LSU. She is a recipient of the Good Conduct Award, BRCC Student of the Week, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 1999, Coast Guard Commendation Medal 1999 and National Defense Service Medal 1995. Her research includes, “Southern States and Non-Southern States: Playing the Economic Development Game,” under the direction of Dr. T. Wayne Parent, and Dr. Belinda Davis served as her mentor.

Jodi Johnson ≈ Biological Science A McNair scholar since the summer of 2006, Jodi Johnson graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University earning a Bache-lor of Science degree with a major in Biological Science. She received the Woman’s Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship, Smart Grant Scholarship, James and Diane Karl White Scholarship, and Dr. Gladney Jack Tinsley & Maud Hood Endowed Scholar-ship. Her research project titled, “Structure and Function of Voltage Gated Sodium Channels: Effects of Lyrine Substitutions on Slow Inactivation in Human Cardiac Nat Channels,” was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Ron O’Reilly. Mr. James Dunn served as her mentor. After graduation, Johnson plans to attend graduate school in order to obtain her Master’s in Medical

Science.

John Turner ≈ Political Science John Turner received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Political Science, from LSU. John has been a McNair Scholar since the summer of 2007. His research project includes, “The Psychology of the New Europe: An Analysis of the Person-alities of Nicholas Sarkozy and Gordon Brown” under the supervision of Dr. Marc Schafer, who also serves as his mentor. Turner plans to attend Law School at Chicago-Kent. He has been accepted by Chicago-Kent and DePaul Universities.

Sevetri Wilson ≈ Mass Communications/Jour & History A McNair scholar since the Fall of 2007, Sevetri Wilson graduated from LSU earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in History and Mass Communications with a concentration in Journalism. She received the TOPS Scholarship, Greenfield Baptist Church Scholarship, John Philip Sosa Award for Music, and A. P. Tureaud Freshman Scholarship. In addition, she was a Bill Gates Millennium Scholar, United Negro College Fund Scholar and the Spring fest Captain. Her research project titled, “The Post-Slavery Effect on Black Women in Contemporary America/Pop Culture,” was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Carlos Thomas.and Dr. Hermon Kelley served as her mentor.

Nicole Zaleski ≈ Women’s and Gender Studies / Psychology minor: French A McNair Scholar since the summer of 2007, Nicole Zaleski received a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in both Women’s and Gender Studies and Psychology, minor: French from LSU. She is a recipient of TOPS and the 2007 Outstanding Women’s and Gender Studies Major Award, Chancellor’s Honor Roll. Her research includes, “Gender and Nation in the Work of Assia Djebar,” under the direction of Dr. M. Jean Xavier Brager and Dr. Carol Plummer served as her mentor. Zaleski plans to travel to France to work on language skills for a year before beginning graduate school. She has been ac-cepted to the University of Arizona, where she will receive a funding package valued over $20,000.

Farewell and Good Luck !

2008 Graduate Profiles