A&M International Biology Students, Faculty Present at Science Conference

Three Texas A&M International University biology students and two faculty members from the University's College of Science and Technology presented at the 102nd Annual Meeting of the Texas Academy of Science held recently at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas.

A&M International student Abril Pineda presented on "Crystallization and Purification of Organophosphorus Hydrolase." The presentation reflected research she completed last summer at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas during a 10-week Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) for outstanding undergraduate students. Pineda conducted research under the direction of Dr. James R. Wild in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at College Station.

A&M International student Francisco E. Gonzalez and Dr. Sushma Krishnamurthy, assistant professor of biology, jointly presented on "Sediment Toxicity Evaluation of the Rio Grande at Laredo, Texas." The presentation detailed a study in which they quantified some of the inorganic priority pollutants identified in a 1994 binational study by the International Boundary and Water Commission. The assistance in the metal analysis of the project by Adrian Montemayor and Juan Carlos Mojicas of the Water Pollution Control Laboratory was acknowledged.

Dr. Krishnamurthy and A&M International student Jovanelly Zaragoza also presented on "The Effect of Atrazine on Regeneration on Dugesia." The presentation showed the effects of the broad leaf herbicide Atrazine on a common detritivore, the Dugesia.

Dr. Thomas C. Vaughan, associate professor of biology, presented on "The Impact of Nuevo Laredo's Wastewater Treatment Plant on Water Quality of the Rio Grande: Did We Get Our Money's Worth?" The presentation offered data from a fecal coliform monitoring program that indicates additional improvements must be made to Nuevo Laredo's wastewater system.

Biology major Jose Flores, a sophomore at A&M International, also attended the Meeting.

For more information on the presentations by A&M International students and faculty, please contact the University's College of Science and Technology at 326-2440. University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu