(MESQUITE, Texas) – Eastfield College and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas have selected four of Eastfield's top science and mathematics students to participate in an eight week paid STARS (Science Teacher Access to Research at Southwestern) Summer Research Program for students on the UT Southwestern campus. The program pairs students with faculty research scientists to conduct research projects using major scientific instrumentation. A $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation to Eastfield is funding the $3,000 stipends, college credit and year-round access to research opportunities in the new scanning electron microscopy laboratory at Eastfield. 

Eastfield College and UT Southwestern program officials selected these students based on an evaluation of essays, faculty recommendation letters, academic records, and personal statements and interviews. The following students comprise the Summer 2006 Eastfield-UT Southwestern STARS Cohort:

Funmi Afolayan, pre-med sophomore from Nigeria, is a recipient of the Phi Theta Kappa STAR Scholarship for 2005-2006 and a member of the Eastfield President’s Honor Roll from 2004-2006. Ms. Afolayan will be working with Dr. Jerry Shay, professor of cell biology at UT Southwestern. Dr. Shay is a pioneer in the field of telomere biology, and his research has broad, direct applications to cancer pathology and treatment. Afolayan, a resident of Garland, is seeking a career in medical research and believes that the STARS program and mentoring by Easfield and UT Southwestern faculty will help her “unlock her potential.”

Dang Huynh, sophomore from Mesquite, is a science major who plans to transfer to a four-year university in pharmaceutical research. Huynh will be working with Dr. J.R. Falck, professor of biochemistry at UT Southwestern. Dr. Falck’s research focuses on the chemistry and biochemistry of small organic molecules that have broader implications in pharmacology and oncology.

Jordan McHone, a sophomore from Rockwall, is majoring in science. McHone is a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and plans to pursue a degree in biology. McHone will report to Dr. Carole Mendelson, professor of biochemistry at UT Southwestern. Dr. Mendelson will mentor McHone in his research assignment on the regulation of genes and proteins that trigger notification of labor in expectant mothers. McHone believes that “this opportunity will allow me to gain valuable research experience, helping to form my career path and giving me a better chance to succeed in the future.”

Katarina Solberg is a sophomore from Sweden who currently lives in Garland. Solberg is majoring in science and plans to earn a degree in biology. She will perform her summer research under the supervision of Dr. Julie Pfeiffer, assistant professor of microbiology at UT Southwestern’s Center for Immunology. Dr. Pfeiffer’s research uses hepatitis C and poliovirus to study viral genome evolution and drug resistant mutations and the effect of viral diversity on pathogenesis. Solberg sees this research opportunity as “a major stepping-stone to let me experience the world of research.” 

Eastfield College and UT Southwestern officials honored the students selected for the summer science research program at an awards reception at Eastfield on June 1.

For more information contact Dr. Cheryl Green, dean of Resource and Community Development and co-principal investigator, at 972-860-8379 or Dr. Carl Knight, professor of anatomy and physiology and principal investigator, at 972-860-7152.

For more information about the STARS Summer Research Program for Students at UT Southwestern contact Jeannie Han, STARS program coordinator, at 214-648-9505.

Photo: Jeff Hughes, instructional associate at Eastfield College; Jordan McHone, STARS honoree; Funmi Afolayan, STARS; Katarina Solberg, STARS honoree; Dang Huynh, STARS honoree; Dr. Stuart Ravnik, assistant dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Jeannie Han, STARS program coordinator; Dr. Carol Brown, president of Eastfield College; and Dr. Carl Knight, professor of anatomy and physiology.