November 1, 1994 eleven Oklahoma institutions formed an alliance with support from the National Science Foundation’s Alliance for Minority Participation (AMP which subsequently was mandated by the Congress as the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) in honor of Former Congressman Louis Stokes. The 11 participating institutions are: The University of Oklahoma, University of Tulsa, University of Central Oklahoma, Southwestern OSU, Southeastern OSU, Northwestern OSU, Northeastern State University, Langston University, East Central University, Cameron University and Oklahoma State University as the Lead Institution. In the past 14 years Oklahoma Alliance Institutions have awarded 7,180 Bachelor of Science degrees in STEM areas to minority and underrepresented students. Nationwide, approximately 30% of all STEM degrees earned by Native Americans are completed in Oklahoma Institutions. Oklahoma continues to graduate more Native American students than any other state.
SWOSU Chemistry student headed to Spain
Story by Ryan Felder.
Garcia was recently selected as a SWOSU representative for Research Day at the state
capitol March 31. She was also recently selected by the Council on Undergraduate Research
as one of 74- out of approximately 700 people-presenters to present her research results
and meet with members of the Oklahoma congressional delegation at the U.S. Capitol
April 13. And, she was recently selected as one of eight students given the opportunity
to participate in a 10 week research program in Cadiz, Spain, where she will do marine
chemistry research with marine life beginning May 24.
In her research for the capitol, she's working with a drug that is already is use and is trying to improve upon that drug for uses in HIV and anti-cancer. She will be presenting that research at the state and US capitols. In Spain, she will be working in the International Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at the University of Cadiz, Spain, sponsored by Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. She will be working in an organic chemistry setting.
Courtney Garcia Wins the Grand Prize Award at the 16th Annual Research Day at the Capitol
Courtney Garcia wins the grand prize award at the 16th Annual Research Day at the
State Capitol where 21 undergraduate student researchers from 15 Oklahoma colleges
and universities gathered at the State Capitol. The event showcases the outstanding
research being conducted on Oklahoma college campuses. Students’ posters were judged
by an independent panel who selected the top seven research presentations.
Pictured (L-R) Rep. Harold Wright, Courtney Garcia, Chancellor Glen D. Johnson
SWOSU Chemistry major and OK-LSAMP Scholar to Spend Summer in France
Ashlie Walker, an OK-LSAMP Scholar and Chemistry major at SWOSU will be spending 10
weeks in Grenoble, France during the summer of 2014. Walker was nominated for an International
REU position by mentor Dr. Tim Hubin and recently learned of her selection. The program
is run by Louisiana State University and aims to give American students the opportunity
to study abroad during their undergraduate years. Dr. Randy Duran, the Director of
Undergraduate Research at LSU administrates the program. Dr. Duran studied in Europe
himself, and wants to give the same opportunity to other undergrad science majors.
He routinely targets LSAMP students nationwide to participate in this National Science
Foundation funded Research Experience for Undergraduate Students. Ashlie, an accomplished
organic and inorganic chemistry researcher at SWOSU already, will spend the summer
in the lab of Dr. Guy Royal at the University of Grenoble in France. Extensive nomination
and application forms, followed by a rigorous interview resulted in Ashlie's selection.