Nova Quarterly: the University of Texas at El Paso

University of Texas at El Paso DigitalCommons@UTEP NOVA UTEP History Resources Summer 2007 Nova Quarterly: The niU versity of Texas at El Paso The niU versity of Texas at El Paso University Communications Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.utep.edu/nova Recommended Citation The nivU ersity of Texas at El Paso University Communications, "Nova Quarterly: The nivU ersity of Texas at El Paso" (2007). NOVA. 172. http://digitalcommons.utep.edu/nova/172 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the UTEP History Resources at DigitalCommons@UTEP. It has been accepted for inclusion in NOVA by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UTEP. For more information, please contact [email protected]. •CONTENTS• COVER FEATURE 10 Mission Accomplished UTEP grad Danny Olivas captivated Miners across the globe by his journey 200 miles above the Earth as part of the space shuttle Atlantis crew. FEATURES 4 Top of the Class For these Top Ten Seniors, life's journey has just begun. They now venture into graduate studies, prepare to enter the nation's top medical schools, and more. 6 Economic Impact UTEP continues to grow as a key economic force in the Paso del Norte region, contributing millions to the local economy and more. DEPARTMENTS 2 Innovations Because even light smokers are at risk for deadly illnesses, these psychology students are helping smokers quit now. 8 Highlights UTEP tops in the nation for Hispanic students; million dollar grants advance research; and much more 14 Profiles in Giving Charles Coy was an engineer by trade - and by heart. How his family commemorates his life by inspiring future engineers. 15 In the Spotlight Volunteerism and skateboarding- coupled with determination and talent- led these Miners to success. It's the As earl new bl to retu: as two Weeks aft a ck to their . er quitti • or•ginal ca pac•ty. ng smoking, lungs b ... and color egin •INNOVATIONS• Researchers Aim to Reduce Dangerous Habit g by David Peregrina and Laura S. Ruelas aybe you've enjoyed a cigarette or two A high level of carbon monoxide displaces opportunities to participate in research and M while hanging out with friends at the oxygen in the bloodstream, thickening the health promotion programs such as StopLite. club, or needed a relaxing smoke after a blood and making it difficult for the heart to "The lab is a great work environment filled rough day at work. A cigarette now and then pump blood and oxygen around the body. with amazing people," says graduate student can't hurt. "Part of the intervention is to provide Julie Blow. "We have a grearopportunity to Or can it? feedback to participants about their (carbon shed light on issues that have long been monoxide) levels, with hopes that sharing overlooked with the (Hispanic) population. Even light smokers are at risk for deadly information will help them Our field allows us to take already researched illnesses, says Ted Cooper, supervisor of the health-related issues and develop a new take on things, and Prevention and Treatment in Clinical Health recognize that smoking has health help the underserved." lab in the Department of Psychology at consequences," says Cooper. UTEP. The group also creates media campaigns to The reward for the PATCH lab staff is seeing people improve their lives via quality Cooper and his team of researchers in the get its message across. With the help of focus health education. In the case of StopLite, PATCH lab, as it is known, investigate groups and student graphic designers, the Cooper says it is plain facts, and not scare methods of disease prevention and health PATCH team created anti-smoking posters tactics, that to help people understand the promotion, with an eye on issues such as that are placed around campus. risks of casual smoking. sedentary behavior, diet and tobacco use. With the help of the UTEP Student Health Many of their projects focus on Hispanics in Center, PATCH signed up 258 students to "A lot of times they just need to be the El Paso and Juarez area. participate in the cessation program. The informed, educated, and it turns the light on for them," says Cooper. "They learn it's One major initiative of the lab is StopLite, students said they smoked to manage their never too late to quit." N a program aimed at helping light smokers at weight, relieve stress and to feel included in UTEP and across the Paso del Norte region social settings. kick the habit before it turns serious. More than 40 percent of them estimated StopLite is funded by grants totaling they smoked at least one cigarette per day, • Coronary heart disease, stroke, and $170,500 from A Smoke Free Paso del Norte, and considered themselves light smokers. peripheral vascular disease an initiative of the Paso del Norte Health Thirty percent said they smoked one to six • Strained respiratory quality, such as Foundation. while the rest of the cigarettes per week, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of even less per month. "We're trying to uncover the issues behind group said they smoked breath this habit, in order to help people quit, get Preliminary results are encouraging: 41 healthy, and ultimately save Jives," says • Cancers of the bladder, oral cavity, percent of the participants reported cervix, Cooper. pharynx, larynx, esophagus, decreasing their smoking after one month; kidney, lung, pancreas, and stomach, and Recent research reveals the dangers of and two months later, the number rose to 47 causes acute myeloid leukemia casual smoking. A 2005 study of more than percent. • Women who smoke before or during 42,000 adults in Norway over the course of "I have not been smoking for about three 30 years found that light smokers, defined as pregnancy increase their risk for adverse months now and I feel great. I appreciate reproductive outcomes such as infertility people who smoked one to four cigarettes their help and concern," said a StopLite times as likely to die from or having a low-birth-weight baby. daily, were three participant whose name is being kept heart disease than were nonsmokers. Men confidential. were more than three times as likely to die from lung cancer, and women were five Amalia Dudzienski, director of the Student times more likely to succumb to lung cancer. Health Center, is hopeful the continued • Oxygen level in your blood increases to partnership will raise awareness and help normal and carbon monoxide level drops StopLite uses counseling, behavioral and reduce smoking. to normal health therapies, and person-to-person contact to educate participants on the health benefits "I hope it reiterates the fact that smoking • Reduce the risk of a heart attack is not healthy, that there are consequences. of quitting. • Body is free of nicotine, allowing I've seen the results from their efforts and The smokers participate in an hour-long bronchial tubes to relax, making it easier l'm happy that many people have either quit intervention which includes an assessment of to breathe. or reduced their intake," says Dudzienski. and a the problem, counseling and education, • Risk of lung cancer decreases test measuring the level of carbon monoxide The PATCH lab offers nearly a dozen in their blood. undergraduate and graduate students SUMMER 2007 • 3 Each spring, the UTEP Alumni Associatil achieved academic success and show1 MICHAEl URIAGA JOAINA FAVEll Age:21 Age: 22 Degree: Microbiology Degree: Accounting Next: Medical school at the Next: Master's in University of Texas Health Science accounting at UTEP Center at Houston Notable: Accounting Notable: Accepted to five medical intern in UTEP schools Provost's Office High school: Ysleta High School: Eastwood "My time at UTEP has allowed me "UTEP has stayed to work side-by-side with my peers on top of changes in and community leaders to improve the demanding field the lives of the underprivileged in our of accounting and area." provided me with a modern foundation that is the key to my future." MICHEllE COCHRUE Age: 22 Degree: Accounting and GABRIEl GOMEZ finance Age: 21 Degree: Microbiology Next: Graduate studies in Next: Medical school at accounting at UTEP Notable: UTEP the University of Texas cheerleader Health Science Center at San Antonio High School: Maxine Silva Health Magnet Notable: Participated in "The university helped me medical mission trips to Mexico discover my talent, and I High School: Franklin f eel as though I found my true calling. " ''I'm leaving UTEP with a mind ready for the future and a heart full of life changing experiences." DIIIEl DE lOS SIITOS Age: 21 Degree: Kinesiology GABRIElMUSOURITY Next: Medical school at Age: 22 the University of Texas Degree: Microbiology Health Science Center at San Next: Medical school at the Antonio University of Texas Medical Notable: Miner Maniac of Branch at Galveston the Year in 2006 Notable: Earned early acceptance High School: Cathedral into medical school "! have gained valuable High School: Coronado leadership, teamwork and "El Paso is my home, and I will communications skills, all return to it and give back all that the while increasing my I can." determination and passion to become a great physician." 4 • UTEP NOVA 1nors the universitv's Top Ten Seniors, students who have •mmitment to the communitv. ANGEliCA MDLIX CHRISTOPHER Age: 38 WHAliN Degree: Bilingual Age: 22 education Degree: Philosophy Next: Will teach in the Next: Master's in El Paso area philosophy at Columbia Notable: Mother of four University children Notable: Active in High School: Socorro Philosophy Club, Tri-City "Going back to school Philosophical Society and after 15 years of life Honors Council experiences was not easy. High School: Cathedral I learned that you have to "Working as part of a set goals and keep going." team not only speeds up progress, it creates a diversity of interesting PRATISH PARBHOO ideas.

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