MENTORS
Our research mentors are established and extramurally funded investigators from various disciplines. Areas of institutional research strengths include aging, cancer, diabetes/cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, and neuroscience. This diversity in science creates a robust, interdisciplinary research environment for SABER•IRACDA Scholars and ensures that each SABER•IRACDA Scholar has an opportunity for advanced research training in their area of interest. Many of these investigators are also affiliated with interdisciplinary research institutes and centers, which facilitates the acquisition of a broad foundation of knowledge in interdisciplinary science and contributes to their preparedness for future careers in research and teaching.
A sampling of potential research mentors is presented below. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list. New research mentors are continually added by the program leadership. If you are unable to identify potential mentor(s) in an area of biomedical research that you are interested in, please contact the Program Directors.
Biochemistry and Structural Biology
Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics
Cellular and Integrative Physiology
Molecular Medicine
Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics
Population Health Sciences
Medicine, Infectious Disease
Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics
Cell Systems and Anatomy
Biochemistry and Structural Biology
Cell Systems and Anatomy
Molecular Medicine
Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics
Cell Systems and Anatomy
Biochemistry and Structural Biology
Biochemistry
Cell Systems and Anatomy
Medicine, Diabetes
Pharmacology
Babatunde O. Oyajobi, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A.
Cell Systems and Anatomy
Pharmacology
Medicine, Urology
Neurosurgery
Cellular and Integrative Physiology
Biochemistry and Structural Biology
Cellular and Integrative Physiology
Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics
Biochemistry
Molecular Medicine
Our teaching mentors in the SABER*IRACDA Program are drawn from two primarily undergraduate partner institutions. Both are designated as Hispanic-Serving by the U.S. Department of Education (St. Mary’s University and Our Lady of the Lake University). Teaching mentors from these institutions are selected on the basis of passion for and success in classroom teaching, on-going interests and involvement in research, as well as enthusiasm to engage in mentored teacher training. Collectively, our mentors are highly regarded faculty, teach diverse subjects within the undergraduate and ensure that SABER Scholars become well-trained teachers with expertise in course development, presentation and assessment. Mentors also ensure Scholars are well prepared to address the challenges associated with motivating and sustaining the interests of undergraduate students, especially those from historically-marginalized groups and non-traditional students.
A sampling of potential teaching mentors is presented below. Program Coordinators at either institution will work with SABER Scholars in Year 1, to help them select appropriate teaching mentors based on the Scholar’s interest
Our Lady of the Lake University
John Gómez, Ph.D.
Psychology
James S. Hall, Ph.D.
Biology
Teresita Munguia, Ph.D.
Chemistry
Susan Murphy, Ph.D.
Biology
Biology
St. Mary’s University
Lori Boies, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences
Richard Cardenas, Ph.D.
Physics
Verónica Contreras-Shannon, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences
Ahmad Galaleldeen, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences
Christine Gray, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences
Richard Lombardini, Ph.D.
Physics
Thomas E. Macrini, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences
Gary Ogden, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences
Chemistry
Biological Sciences
