Skyline biology students Bardo Castro and Pamela Rios have always been hard-working and dedicated to their love of nature and science.
It all paid off for them on the evening of Oct. 3 when they were awarded an impressive first place prize in biology for their original research paper presented at a national, university-level, science conference.
The conference for the Society for the Advancement of Chicano s and Native American in Science (SACNAS) was held Sep.30 through Oct. 3 at the Anaheim Convention Center with over 2,000 attendees.
The SACNAS conference provides an opportunity for young scientists, of Chicano and Native American descent, to have their research projects displayed and judged. Standing before large boards containing the pages of their original research reports (called posters) students defended their work to a panel of judges.
Bardo and Rios’ paper, “Anti-microbial Activity of Baccharis pilularis (Asteraceae): A Traditional Native American Herbal Medicine”, presented their study of the anti-bacterial properties of a common plant used in traditional herbal medicine, the Coyote Brush (or Bush) plant. Bardo and Rios each received $250.00.
17 Skyline students attended this conference. Skyline competed against prestigious four-year schools such as Princeton, Yale, and the Universities of Vermont, Texas and California.
There were 890 presenters and 70 awards were made. Though other community college students attended, Skyline’s students were the only members of a two-year college to present.
“No other students did their research at a community college,” according to Christine Case D.Ed., faculty advisor from the biology department.
“There were about five community colleges represented but those students did their research in a summer program at a four-year university.”
Student presenter Rios doesn’t believe in the stigma that community college students are not as capable as four-year university students.
“In reality,” Rios said, “you can do research at a community college [and] even though the research might not be as elaborate as that of the four-year [universities], you can do research at that level. You can do well in a conference and you can win.”
Added Castro, “We might not have [expensive laboratory equipment] and had to use older laboratory techniques, but ‘old school’ still gets the job done. You work hard and you can still be successful.”
Winning posters were projected during the conference dinner. When the winning biology poster was projected, Castro and Rios were quite excited.
“The experience was surreal,” said Castro.
Castro and Rios both presented at last year’s SACNAS conference, but with different partners.
While explaining the source of his research idea, Castro said “When I was in Mexico, my aunt, [treated my] stomach pains with a plant of the baccharis genus. She used to give me a tea which would sometimes help me with my pain.”
Dr. Case suggested using something within traditional medicine.
“So that’s what I started with,” said Castro, “After Pamela joined with me to do research, we found, in our background research, other people have used [the plant] to treat some bacterial infections
Both worked all summer in a Skyline laboratory researching the plant’s antibacterial property and credit.
Dr. Case was their supportive mentor who encouraged, cajoled, and demanded students continually improve.
The pair learned that they work well together. As testament to their collaborative closeness, Rios started, “If we end up going to the same school…,” Castro finished it with “…it would be a great opportunity for us to work together.”
“We understand each other. We complement each other when we’re presenting,” Rios continued. “Working with a partner that you get along with is very, very important. “
Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Castro came to the U.S. 10 years ago. Rios arrived 8 years ago from Lima, Peru. They overcame culture shock, learned a new language, and acquired skills sufficient to now become published scientists, recognized nationally for their stellar research.
The two are founding members of Skyline’s chapter of SACNAS.
“One SACNAS’ goals is trying to encourage more students to go into research or science and develop their research skills,” said Castro, who acts as SACNAS’ treasurer.
SACNAS Vice-President Castro said, “The message we both want to give to readers is that SACNAS does not discriminate. We are inclusive- -you do not need to be Latino or American Indian to join. You just need to want to participate.”
Castro and Rios wanted to thank Pat Carter, biology laboratory supply technician, for providing support to all the students. Carter has, for several years, provided logistical support to independent study researchers. After introducing the requisition process, she occasionally had to challenge students.
“‘You need me to get you how many agar plates again?'” Carter joked. “The students learned how to work with a supply department. I learned from them. Students are in here almost daily for the seven-week schedule until I kick them out Aug. 7th. They kept me busy all summer. Bardo and Pamela had conducted research the year before. They were kind of old-hat at it and were more organized.”
Also instrumental for preparing the club members for conference presentations was Stephen Fredericks, director of MESA and a SACNAS adviser.
SACNAS meets Fridays at 12:30 p.m. for 30-60 minutes in Bldg. 7, room 7307. Recent SACNAS meeting topics include resume creation, obtaining letters of recommendation, networking, finding paid internships, and meeting with recruiters.
SACNAS is a national society with a 37 year history of supporting minority scientists and science students.
