Class of 2013

Class of 2013

McNair Scholar	Mentor	Title of Research
Hugo_Aguinaga	Prof. Jeffery Casebolt	"Efficiency Analysis of Shod and Unshod Running"
Humberto_Bedoy	Prof. Lorna Strong	"Cyro-Stretching vs Thermo-Stretching: Is There a Difference In Function, Flexibility and Perceived Soreness After Volitional Fatigue"
Vanessa_Buckles	Dr. Gary Byrd	"A Comparative Analysis: Self Report measures of Lateral Preference and Behavioral Measures of Lateral Preference"
Rebecca_Melot	Prof. Lesley Meeks	"Emotional Benefits of Christian Worship Dance"
Mariela_Mendoza	Dr. Kristina Gill	"Effective Teaching Methods for Middle School Math Learners in Multicultural Classrooms"
Gabriel_Miranda	Dr. Nabarun Ghosh	"The Effects of Global Warming on Aeroallergens and Allergies in the Texas Panhandle"
Casey_Nelson	Dr. Tim Atchison	"Visual Attention of Athletes to the Idealized Body"
Martin_Puga	Prof. Lorna Strong	"Optimizing Middle Distance Running: Training, Nutrition, Techniques, Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation"
Nathan_Slaughter	Dr. Butler Cain	"The Effect Mass Media Has on Athletic Performance"
Eric_Sosa	Dr. Tim Atchinson	Developing an Egalitarian View of 'American’
Jessica_Taylor	Prof. Kenneth Denton	"Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky: A Theoretical Analysis and Application to Early Childhood"
Jared_Wesley	Dr. Robert DeOtte	"Ogallala Aquifer: Measurement Methods for Estimating Water Levels"

	Hugo Aguinaga Major(s): Sports Exercise Science Classification: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2014 Mentor: Professor Jeff Casebolt Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Career Aspirations: I plan on becoming a high school track and field coach as well as a cross country coach. Apart from coaching I plan on teaching Spanish at the high school level. How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience?
	Humberto Bedoy Major(s): Classification: Anticipated Graduation Date: Mentor: Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Career Aspirations: How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience?
	Vanessa Buckles Major(s): Classification: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2013 Mentor: Dr. Gary Byrd Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Career Aspirations: How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience?
	Rebecca Melot Major(s): Dance Major Classification: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2014 Mentor: Leslie Meek Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Career Aspirations: To become a professional dancer. How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? Being a McNair Scholar has opened my eyes to the very real possibility of being a graduate student. I have made new friends and have also become self-disciplined in daily setting aside time to work on my research. The entire McNair experience has been wonderful. I would highly suggest this program to any eligible WT students interested in expanding their education.
	Mariela Mendoza Major(s): Math Education Classification: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2014 Mentor: Dr. Kristina Gill Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Career Aspirations: How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience?
	Gabriel Miranda Major(s): Biology with Certification in Secondary Science Classification: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: August 2015 Mentor: Dr. Nabarun Ghosh Title of Research: The effects of global warming on aeroallergens and allergies in the Texas Panhandle Conferences Attended and/or Publications: McNair Conference in Wisconsin, UNT McNair Conference, SACNAS, TEXAS Microscopy Conference Career Aspirations: I aspire to attain my Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology and work in the research field. I would also like to become a professor and mentor other first-generation, underrepresented students who also want to attain their Ph.D’s. How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? The McNair Scholar program has enhanced my academic experience in many ways. By becoming a McNair Scholar my horizons have expanded and new opportunities have become available to me. Before the program, I never considered a career in research and felt like I did not have the proper tools to succeed in such a career. After becoming a McNair scholar, I was given the tools and skills to be successful in graduate school. These skills I attained were transferred into my undergraduate studies, and because of it I flourished in my bachelor’s degree.
	Casey Nelson Major(s):Psychology Classification: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2014 Mentor: Dr. Tim Atchison Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Career Aspirations: After obtaining a master's degree and possibly a doctorate degree in psychology I aspire to become a sports psychologist and eventually work with professional athletes. How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? Being a McNair Scholar has equipped me with skills that have prepared me for my senior year and eventually graduate school. I believe I am now an all-around better student because of this experience. This program has made me more conscious of what I need to do in all aspects of my education in order to be successful.
	Martin Puga Major(s): Sports Exercise Science/Math Education Classification: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2014 Mentor: Professor Lorna Strong Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Career Aspirations: I hope to attain a Master’s degree or Doctoral degree in Exercise Physiology after receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. I hope to teach or coach at the collegiate level while being part of organizations such as USA Track & Field or holding NCAA office position to focus on helping young students and student-athletes get the most of their educational opportunities. How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? Being a McNair Scholar has opened my mind to see that I can go beyond "average" and thrive in higher levels of education through the challenges and opportunities it has brought to me. I believe that I am already a better student and love and respect education and its value toward my future. It is a blessing to be part of such a great organization and represent it today and hope to share my experiences and accomplishments from it later on to others who may become McNair Scholars.
	Nathan Slaughter Major(s): Mass Communication: Broadcast Journalism Classification: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2014 Mentor: Dr. Butler Cain Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Career Aspirations: I aspire to be an influential media professional in sports communication (broadcast or print media). How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? As a member of the McNair Scholar program, my academic experience has been enhanced due to the standard that comes along with being a part of the program. My goals have heightened, my expectations have risen, and being a part of the program gives me the added tools to fulfill any aspirations I may have.
	Eric Sosa Major(s):Psychology Classification: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2014 Mentor: Dr. Timothy Atchison Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Presented at 16th Annual Texas National McNair Scholars Research Conference, Presented at Southwestern Psychological Association 2014 Conference, Awarded "Best Research Paper" at WT’s Student Research Conference 2014 Career Aspirations: Master’s degree in Psychology, Licensed Professional Counselor & Private Practice, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Expanded Practice & Academic Professor How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience?The skills and encouragement that Mike, Victoria, Dr. A, and all the other McNair supporters have given me enhanced my understanding that I can take today’s teachings and create new knowledge for tomorrow.
	Jessica Taylor Major(s):Psychology Classification: Junior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2015 Mentor: Professor Kenneth Denton Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Career Aspirations: To earn a Licensed Specialist Degree in School Psychology, where I will perform tests and assessments on children and their classroom environments that will explore new findings on how certain activities or behaviors affect their learning. How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? Being a McNair Scholar has allowed me to have an introduction to the academic workload and experience of a graduate student, which has equipped me for what I will have to take on for Graduate School. After enduring this opportunity, I am now motivated to go beyond my own expectations and create more challenging ones. The program and its directors have definitely been the key factors in my academic growth and maturity that I have obtained during this summer experience.
	Jared Wesley Major(s): Classification: Anticipated Graduation Date: Mentor: Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Career Aspirations: How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience?