Mentor

EWU McNair Scholar Marcos Monteiro Accepted into Indiana University School of Medicine

02/05/2020 by Jaeger, Corinne Leave a Comment

EWU McNair Scholar Marcos Monteiro has been accepted into the BioMedical Gateway program at the Indiana University School of Medicine

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Marcos Monteiro! Marcos has been accepted into the Indiana BioMedical Gateway (IBMG) program at the Indiana University School of Medicine with full funding! Marcos is a senior at Eastern Washington University majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. To prepare for graduate school Marcos completed two summers of research internships, one here with the EWU McNair Scholars Program and mentor Dr. Andrea Castillo, and the other last summer at the Fred Hutchinson in Seattle. He is also the recipient of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most competitive STEM scholarships in the country. To read more about Marcos and his research, check out his page on the EWU McNair website.

We are so proud of Marcos and excited for his next steps towards attaining his PhD!

McNair Scholars Publish Article with Mentor in the Journal of Applied Microbiology

01/14/2020 by Jaeger, Corinne Leave a Comment

EWU McNair Scholars Marcos Monteiro and Laurisa Ankley are published with Mentor Dr. Andrea Castillo in the Journal of Applied Microbiology

Congratulations to current EWU McNair Scholar Marcos Monteiro, former EWU McNair Scholar Laurisa Ankley and McNair Faculty Mentor Dr. Andrea Castillo, along with fellow student Katherine Camp and Dr. Robin O'Quinn, for the publication of their article "Manuka honey chelates iron and impacts iron regulation in key bacterial pathogens" in the Journal of Applied Microbiology! Mentoring and research experience like this not only prepare McNair Scholars to be successful graduate students, it also helps them get accepted into universities! Laurisa, who graduated in 2018 from EWU with a BS in biology, went directly from undergrad at EWU to Michigan State University's PhD program in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and received full funding! Marcos is a senior at EWU majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. He is currently applying to Masters and PhD programs in Molecular Biology/Microbiology. The EWU McNair Scholar's program is so proud of our students and deeply greatly to the faculty mentors who make this possible. Keep your eyes out in the coming months as our seniors receive acceptances from university's around the country!

Ricardo Ely, McNair Scholar, and Judd A. Case Publish New Findings!

05/13/2019 by bmurray9 Leave a Comment

Phylogeny of a new gigantic paravian (Theropoda; Coelurosauria; Maniraptora) from the Upper Cretaceous of James Ross Island, Antarctica

Ricardo Ely, McNair Scholar (read more about Ricardo)

Mentor: Dr. Judd A Case, Dept. of Biology at Eastern Washington University

Abstract:

A description with phylogenetic analyses is provided for Imperobator antarcticus, gen. et sp. nov., an early Maastrichtian, basal paravian (Theropoda; Maniraptora) from the Naze Peninsula, James Ross Island, Antarctica. In 2003, researchers uncovered the remains of a theropod later referred to Dromaeosauridae. Dromaeosaurids are a clade of maniraptorans including well-known members such as Velociraptor and Deinonychus. The specimen displays a case of gigantism in paravians, a condition best documented in the dromaeosaurids Achillobator, Austroraptor, Dakotaraptor, and Utahraptor. In addition to certain morphological traits that differ from the dromaeosaurid norm, the smooth surface of the distal metatarsal II prevents referral of the ‘Naze Theropod’ to dromaeosaurids (ginglymoidy of the distal surface of metatarsal II being considered an unambiguous synapomorphy of dromaeosaurids). The specimen also lacks a hypertrophied ungual of the second pedal digit, and is surprisingly small in comparison with those of equivalently sized dromaeosaurids such as Utahraptor. A heuristic search and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis were performed, providing the first phylogenetic analyses of this enigmatic theropod. Both analyses support a placement of this taxon within Paraves, a clade which includes Dromaeosauridae, Troodontidae, and Avialae (birds). Despite previous referral to ‘Deinonychosauria,’ placement near or within any of the three major paravian subclades could not be retained. We also offer the first biostratigraphic placement of the Campanian–Maastrichtian, non-avian Antarctic dinosaurs and can, with confidence, determine the contemporaneous nature of the latest Cretaceous, dinosaur fauna in Antarctica.

Read full article here: Phylogeny of a new gigantic paravian (Theropoda; Coelurosauria; Maniraptora) from the Upper Cretaceous of James Ross Island, Antarctica

Josiah Van Egdom’s Scholar Story

03/05/2019 by bmurray9 Leave a Comment

Josiah was accepted into McNair in 2016-2017 school year.

Josiah Van Egdom was accepted into McNair in 2016. Initially, his focus was on accounting and economics. That changed with McNair. He had a conversation with Dr. Christina Torres Garcia, program director, which challenged his future. While accounting was fine, Josiah wanted to study political science. With the encouragement of that conversation, and with the help of his mentor, Dr. Marin Meraz Garcia, he switched to political science. Since then, his hard work and dedication in research was verified by numerous acceptances to conferences around the country. Those include: Pacific Northwest Political Science Association Conference, PNW PhD Prep Conference, and National Conferences on Undergraduate Research. Josiah has had the opportunity to meet and talk with faculty, community leaders and peers in a wide range of environments.

The primary focus of Josiah’s research is on the Guatemalan Civil War (1960-1966) in relation to how women’s roles were integral to both sides of the conflict. There is research about this conflict, and Josiah read dozens of articles pertaining to a variety of factors, but he found a gap that his research searches to fill. In particular, how were either side perceived and how were women involved with peace talks. His research relies on peer reviewed records and scholarly sources to help culminate a conclusion. As of now, Josiah is working on finishing up this project and looking into the future with graduate school. This research has allowed him the experience to perform academic and meaningful endeavors that impact the community, both local and global.

Dr. Martin Meraz Garcia, faculty in the Chicanx Studies program, mentors Josiah’s research.

There’s a lot of great news for Josiah. Over the summer, he and Angie married with friends and family in attendance in beautiful Moses Lake. He’s approaching graduation. Graduate school application sent, letters of recommendation asked and granted. His and Angie’s future look bright.

Often, you’ll find Josiah in the McNair office with other scholars working on applications, grants, scholarships and classwork. He is always there to help with knowledge and wit. It never seems to end. But he seems to have found a place where he can focus on the task at hand, whatever that might be in the moment.