Message from Dean Garzione - May 2022

May 5, 2022
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Dear students, colleagues, and friends,

We are in the homestretch of the spring semester, and I could not be prouder of the work happening across campus. Lecture halls are full of students and laboratories are buzzing with research discovery. I would like to wish everyone the best of luck wrapping up your semester.

As you will read in this month’s newsletter, there are so many great things happening in the College of Science.

Please join me in extending my early congratulations to our spring 2022 graduates. I look forward to seeing you and your families at the College of Science Convocation Ceremony on May 12. I commend our graduating students on their resilience while navigating the challenges of a global pandemic over the last two years. As you continue your journey beyond the College of Science, I encourage you to continue to learn, explore, and discover. I hope you will stay in touch with our community no matter where your path takes you next. You are a Wildcat for life!

Last month, we celebrated the successful conclusion of the 17th annual College of Science Lecture Series. In the five lecture presentations on Minerals we explored what minerals are, what they tell us about the origins and evolution of our solar system and planet, the nature of mineral deposits in Arizona, the role of critical minerals in advancing technology that will support a greener future, and new element extraction technology for a sustainable mining future. I would especially like to thank our presenters for their insightful lecture: Bob Downs, Mauricio Ibañez-Mejia, Ananya Mallik, Isabel Barton, and Raina Maier, as well as everyone who attended the lectures. If you missed any of the presentations, they are available to watch here.

I am proud to announce three College of Science graduate students were selected for the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. The recipients this semester are Archer Bowman from Neuroscience, Stephanie Gastelum from Molecular & Cellular Biology, and Samuel Myers from Planetary Sciences. Additionally, six other students from the College were selected as Honorable Mentions: Michael Cardenas (Neuroscience), Soley Hyman (Astronomy and Astrophysics), Sophie Lebowitz (Astronomy and Astrophysics), Riley O’Neill (Psychology), Anna Roche (Physics) and Skyler Wyly (Neuroscience & Cognitive Science). Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!

Finally, I would like to celebrate this month’s Scientist Spotlight recipient: Debra Armand-Cade. Debra is a senior academic advisor within the College of Science and Chemistry & Biochemistry. She works closely with each of her students to guide them through their academic journeys and lends a helpful hand when they stumble on a roadblock. Colleagues like Debra enhance our community’s supportive and vibrant culture. I am grateful for her efforts to advance the College of Science.

Wishing you all the best as we near the conclusion of the semester. I hope you enjoy your summer adventures!

Sincerely,

Carmie Garzione
Dean, College of Science