May 2007

(Mesquite, Texas) - The National Science Foundation Science Talent Expansion Program (STEP) at Eastfield College and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (UTSW) have selected four Eastfield students to participate in the STARS (Science Teacher Access to Resources at Southwestern) summer research program. The program pairs top science and mathematics students with faculty research scientists to conduct eight week research projects using major scientific instrumentation. A $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation to Eastfield is funding the $3,000 stipends and college credit. 

Eastfield College and UTSW program officials selected the students to participate in the summer research program based on an evaluation of essays, faculty recommendation letters, academic records, and personal statements and interviews. The following students comprise the Summer 2007 Eastfield-UTSW STARS Cohort:

Jeanette Cervantes of Dallas will be working in the laboratory of Dr. Paul Blount in the department of physiology. The research in the Blount lab deals with the function of a group of physiological sensors that respond to mechanical force. These mechanosensitive receptors are important for such diverse processes as maintaining blood pressure to responding to touch on the skin surface.

Crandall resident Stefanie Boyd will be working with Dr. Jeffrey L. Elliot in the department of neurology to study how mutations in different genes can lead to complications in the neuromuscular disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Scott Stephan, a resident of Mesquite, will be working with Dr. Laurie Davis on a project to look at the functioning and pathology of T-cells in the immune system, especially as it relates to rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, two debilitating diseases where promising research is needed.

Joshua Lord of Rockwall will be working in the cell biology department with Dr. Beatriz Fontoura. The projects in the Fontoura lab focus on the fundamental mechanisms of transport of molecules into and out of the nucleus. Movement of proteins or RNA through nuclear pore complexes is an absolute requirement for the normal functioning of a cell and has been shown to be disrupted during viral infection.

For more information contact Daymi Pardo at 972-860-7379.

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