Texas Academy of Science Conference Success for TAMIU, Laredo

More than 400 scientists attended, presented and learned about current research in their fields at the recent Texas Academy of Science held at Texas A&M International University.

Dr. Sushma Krishnamurthy, associate professor and chair of the local host committee, said the event was a success not only for A&M International, but also for Laredo as a whole.

"The 105th Annual meeting of the Texas Academy of Sciences was an enormous success thanks to the hard work and dedication of a number of people. Everyone helped to make this meeting an enormous success. People from all over Texas and Mexico and even as far away as South Dakota got a wonderful impression of our community. A quarter of the presentations were from Mexican participants. We are so pleased that we could invite everyone to enjoy Laredo and the University," said Dr. Krishnamurthy.

Four A&M International scientists were among those invited to present research findings on subjects ranging from geology to biology.

Dr. Qingwen Ni, assistant professor and Dr. Xiaodu Wang from the University of Texas at San Antonio presented their research on using nuclear magnetic resonance to detect the porosity of a particular type of bone tissue. Such detection could be useful in diagnosing osteoporosis.

Dr. Kenneth J. Tobin, assistant professor and director of the Center for Earth & Environmental Studies presented his findings on using carbonate to infer ancient plate tectonic activity, such as continental drift.

Dr. Julio E. Valladares, assistant professor, and B. Esteghamatdarshad, graduate student, along with Patricia Gonzáles and Carlos Lara Valenzuela, both engineers of Servicios Industriales Peñoles, Monterrey, Mexico, presented their paper on the degradation of cyanides using solar UV light.

Finally, C. Neal McReynolds, assistant professor, Ruberto Contereras III, and Amede Rubio, both undergraduate students at A&M International, presented their paper examining how temperature affects habitat selection of a particular species of scorpion.

For more information, please contact Dr. Sushma Krishnamurthy at 326.2584, visit offices in Dr. F.M. Canseco Hall, room 313 or email skrishna@tamiu.edu. University office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through 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