Class of 2008

Class of 2008

McNair Scholar	Mentor	Title of Research
Kylee Aleman	Dr. Mike Myers	Mountain Biking Injuries in Children and Adolescents
Belinda Castanon	Dr. Ty Lawerance	Pre-Rigor Manipulation of Beef Foreshank Alters Sarcomere Length of Individual Chuck Muscles
Luis Cruz, Jr.	Dr. Anne Macy	A Comparison of Religious Based Mutual Funds
Kyle Davis	Dr. Mark Bartley	An Annotated List of the Top Ten Most -performed String Orchestra Pieces at UIL Contests in 2008 from Grades I, II, and III of the Texas Prescribed Music List
Heriberto DeSantiago	Dr. Matt Jackson	Acoustic Levitation and the Effects on Droplet Evaporation
Eduardo Godoy	Dr. Rex Lee	Sleep Study Deprivation
Veronica McClanahan	Dr. Mo Cuevas	Cracking the Code: Serving Military Families Through the TRIAD Program
Ben Miller	Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart	The Problem with Declining Participation
Jeannette Sandoval	Dr. Carolyn Bouma	Comparison of C. albicans Growth in Infant Formula and Human Breast Milk
Lauren Salazar	Dr. Carolyn Bouma	Determining a Correlation Between Microbial Contamination on Soft Contact Lenses and the Type of Disinfecting Solution Used

	Kylee Aleman Major(s): Sports and Exercise Sciences Classification in Fall 2008: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: Dec. 2008 Mentor: Michael C. Myers, Ph.D., FACSM Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Mountain Biking Injuries in Children and Adolescents; Sports Medicine (in review as of Sept. 2008) Career Aspirations: College Professor Extra-Curricular Interests: Running, Mountain Biking, Reading How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? The McNair program allowed me to expand the way I think as a student and a researcher. Not only did it enhance my writing skills, but it enabled me to think critically about everything I read. I feel like I have all the tools necessary to succeed in graduate school because of the opportunity given to me by the McNair program.
	Belinda Castanon Major(s): Animal Science/Pre-Vet Classification in Fall 2008: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2009 Mentor: Dr. Ty E. Lawrence Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Pre-Rigor Manipulation of Beef Foreshank Alters Sarcomere Length of Individual Chuck Muscles, Journal of Muscle Foods Career Aspirations: Doctor of Veterinary Extra-Curricular Interests: Cross Country, Track How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? McNair has given me the opportunity to gain an insight on how carefully and strategically research is conducted. After reading articles for the research, I have enhanced my knowledge on several different aspects including muscles and rigor mortis. The experience I gained allowed me to advance academically because now I have become familiar with the proper steps needed to conduct research and write my results.
	Luis Cruz Jr. Major(s): Finance Classification in Fall 2008: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2009 Mentor: Dr. Anne Macy Conferences Attended and/or Publications: AIBSW Conference; Southwest Review of International Business Research Vol. 19, No. 1, March 2008 Career Aspirations: To work in the investments industry and eventually start my own investment company. Also, to start an organization whose goal will be to increase the financial knowledge of America’s youth. Extra-Curricular Interests: Sports, Business, Politics, History How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? Having the opportunity to do this research helped bring everything I have learned in the classroom together. Thanks to this opportunity, my knowledge of finance is stronger and I feel confident in my abilities as I prepare to begin my post-graduate degree next fall.
	Kyle Louis Davis Major(s): Music (All - Level Certification) Classification in Fall 2008: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: Dec. 2009 Mentor: Dr. Mark Bartley Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Texas Music Educators Association Convention and Clinic Career Aspirations: Professor of music education and director of orchestral activities. Extra-Curricular Interests: Amarillo Symphony, Amarillo Opera, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Baptist Student Ministries How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? When I began this research program, I took care not to initially consider myself a McNair Scholar. The past six months, rather have been my development into a successful McNair Scholar. Through this progression, my capacity for scholastic achievement has increased tremendously. I now understand the research more thoroughly. The mystery of the veiled world of post-baccalaureate academia has been solved. The admissions process has been laid out clearly and the procedure for attaining a graduate degree no longer seems as intimidating. As a direct result of my participation in this program, I feel capable and prepared for success at a post-baccalaureate level. The McNair Scholars program has set me on the road to achieving the terminal degree that I desire and has brought that goal within reach.
	Heriberto DeSantiago Major(s): Mechanical Engineering Classification in Fall 2008: Junior Anticipated Graduation Date: 2010 Mentor: Dr. Matt Jackson Career Aspirations: I plan to work for an engineering company of any kind and my goal is to make life easier and safer for people. I also plan to get my doctoral degree and someday be an engineering teacher. Extra-Curricular Interests: Mountain Biking How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? It has taught me to start thinking about my future regarding grad school. It has also shown me how to be prepared and what to expect in doing a research project. It has shown me the hard work and responsibility in doing a research project and knowing the necessary steps in trying to get into grad school.
	Eduardo Godoy Major(s): Biology Pre-Physical Therapy Classification in Fall 2008: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2009 Mentor: Dr. Jere R. Lee Career Aspirations: Desire to help others and a passion for higher education. Extra-Curricular Interests: Pre-health club, C.A.M.P.O.S., fitness/weight training, etc. How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? McNair has taught me the process and the importance of research. Also, McNair has taught me ways to adjust to unpredictable variables that may appear during the research process.
	Veronica McClanahan Major(s): Social Work Classification in Fall 2008: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2009 Mentor/s: Dr. Mo Cuevas and Dr. Melody Loya Career Aspirations: Earn my master’s degree and work with children with special needs and/or their families. How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? McNair has helped me prepare for the GRE and I can focus on my weaknesses.
	Ben Miller Major(s): Speech Communication Classification in Fall 2008: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2009 Mentor: Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart Conferences Attended and/or Publications: WTAMU Research Conference 2008, Texas A&M Pathway 2008 Career Aspirations: Ultimately, I would like to work in the United Nations and help mitigate international conflict. Extra-Curricular Interests: Lambda Pi Eta, Forensic (speech and debate), Circle K, Alpha Chi, Study Abroad, President's Ambassador, Panhandle Storytelling Guild How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? The McNair Program has given me the academic knowledge to succeed in graduate school and the confidence to engage in complex research projects. This has enhanced my experience at WTAMU by allowing me to attend research conferences and speak and analyze data that I'm passionate about.
	Jeannette Sandoval Major(s): Pre-Med Classification in Fall 2008: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2009 Mentor: Dr. Carolyn Bouma How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? The McNair program has enhanced my academic experience by giving me the opportunity to work on a research project. This project has strengthened my scientific writing skills, which is a must in my intended field of study. My academic experience has also been enhanced because of the McNair staff, as well as my mentor. The staff and Dr. Bouma’s willingness to help in any way possible made this an exciting learning experience.
	Lauren Salazar Major(s): Biology/Pre-Optometry Classification in Fall 2008: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: 2009 Mentor: Dr. Carolyn Bouma Career Aspirations: I aspire to one day become a successful optometrist and perhaps do some kind of research dealing with glaucoma. Extra-Curricular Interests: Member of Alpha Chi, Gamma Beta Phi, Circle K, Mortar Board Historian, Pre-Health Care Club, Catholic Student Center, Hispanic Association How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? Being a McNair Scholar has enhanced my academic experience by allowing me to gain experience and knowledge about laboratory research. Before this summer, I didn’t think I would like working in the lab, but I have really enjoyed it so far. It has also improved my scientific writing skills since the format used in scientific research is different than what I was familiar with. I also learned you can't set a time frame around research because results come up that you didn't plan. Overall, being a McNair Scholar has been a good experience and will help me in my future endeavors of becoming an optometrist.