MORE Program Research Exploration Workshop
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Nineteen freshmen and sophomore students participated in a one week research exploration workshop coordinated by NSS faculty members Edith Porter, Krishna Foster, and Jamil Momand, from January 7 – 11, 2019. The goal of the intensive training is to familiarize students with research methods, thereby increasing their interest in science and potential career pathways. During the week, the students conducted hands-on research experiments, participated in group reflection activities, and listened to guest speakers who lectured on the processes of research. To wrap up the week’s activities, participants attended a poster session showcasing the work of current research students from the
MBRS-RISE program
.
The MORE Program Research Exploration Workshop offers the students three four-week rotations to gain more hands-on experience beyond the workshop. Of the 19 who completed the workshop, 14 expressed interest and 10 were successfully placed (due to their availability). Students who wish to continue in a lab beyond the rotations will be encouraged to apply to the MBRS-RISE program once the rotations are completed.
“This workshop was designed to help build confidence of the students and propel them to become scientists,” states Edith Porter, professor of microbiology and immunology, and MBRS-RISE program undergraduate coordinator.
“Students are also taught ethics and the importance of scientific honesty to gain a robust understanding of what it means to be a scientist.”
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The Making of the Houseguest from Xinjiang
On December 17, 2018, Anell Tercero and Andres Ocon premiered their documentary,
The Making of the Houseguest from Xinjiang,
which showcased the production of the play, “The Houseguest from Xinjiang.” Co-authored by ChorSwang Ngin and playwright, C.Y. Lee, the play explored the cultural intersections and sensitive issues of racial and religious identity. Tercero and Ocon, both students of Kathleen Sullivan, associate professor of anthropology, were originally tapped to film the play. However, the idea morphed into a documentary to fully capture the collaborative efforts of various university departments that ensured the play’s success.
The students filmed hours of interviews with faculty from anthropology, communications and Pan-African Studies, the playwrights, director, and actors, to produce a one-hour introspective on the making of this historic play.
A public screening of the documentary with a panel Q & A will be announced by Sullivan at a later date.
Tercero completed her master’s degree in educational foundations in May 2018 and is a current lecturer in the Charter College of Education. Ocon will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology in May 2019.
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Students from the fall semester HIST 2020 (United States History, 1877 to Present) class curated the photography exhibit, “I am the West, Too – Documenting Community and Identity in the 21
st
Century” at the
Autry Museum
. The exhibit is an effort to redefine and reshape our understanding of community and identity in the American West.
The opening night celebration was held on January 24, 2019 . The exhibition runs through February 17, 2019.
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NSS Student Success Center Update
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The NSS Student Success Center has undergone some changes this spring semester. The director of student success and advising, Gene Sandan, resigned his position after over three years of service to this institution. Sandan, who had been commuting from San Diego every day, decided to prioritize his time with his family and young daughter. We appreciate his dedication to our students and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. The search for a new director is currently underway.
Furthermore, two advisors resigned their positions to pursue career growth opportunities. We also send them off with the best wishes. Recruitment for both positions will be proceeding soon.
However, we are very excited to welcome Susan Saul, a long time faculty advisor and lecturer from the Department of Anthropology, as the Center’s faculty fellow. She will work part time and take on special tasks such as appeal for course repeats, re-instatement from disqualification, graduation check conversion from quarter-to-semester, trouble shooting at the front desk, and more during this transition time.
Though these changes have undoubtedly had an impact on the daily operations at the center, we remain deeply committed to providing quality advising to our students to facilitate their timely graduation and academic success.
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In December 2018, Choi Chatterjee, professor of history, gave a talk at Georgetown University analyzing Emma Goldman and M.N. Roy’s understanding of the
dialectic of state power and selfhood
.
Marla Parker, assistant professor of political science, was featured in the
Black in Business podcast
– a show designed to give black entrepreneurs and business owners a chance to talk about what it takes to run a business.
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Book Talk - Timothy Doran, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus Stanley Burstein interviews Timothy Doran about his new book,
Spartan Oliganthropia
(Brill 2018). In it, Doran examines the cultural and social factors that led to the population decline of Ancient Sparta, with consequent damage to its political and military power.
February 14, 2019
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
University Library Community Room B-13
1
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Guest Speaker - Mary Neuburger, Ph.D.
Cold War Meat: The Politics of Protein Behind the Iron Curtain
Mary Neuburger, a historian at the University of Texas at Austin, explores the ways in which a newfound cult of meat, based on U.S. forms of production, became central to postwar Eastern Europe’s alternative food system.
February 27, 2019
6.00 p.m.
Los Angeles Room BC
3rd Floor, University-Student Union
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American Society for Microbiology Career Day 2019
Learn about the many exciting career opportunities in the field of microbiology. The Cal State LA student chapter of the American Society for Microbiology will be hosting a
career day
featuring experts from the field detailing their experiences and potential career pathways.
February 16, 2019
8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Annenberg Science Complex (ASCB)
Room 132
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Stay up to date with NSS through social media. Here are some accounts to follow:
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