Volume 59, Issue 11  - October 30, 2006

UTB/TSC grad working for Smithsonian
By Michell Godinez
Staff Writer

Sulema Castro

UTB/TSC graduate Sulema Castro returned to the Valley as a presentational speaker during the University of Texas-Pan American’s annual Hispanic Engineering Science and Technology Week held Sept. 25-30.

Castro, the education and outreach coordinator for the Amazonia Science Gallery at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.,

became involved in HESTEC when the Smithsonian Associates, the zoo’s national outreach unit, offered her the chance to represent them as a Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies Scholar. After an interview was conducted, Castro got the green light.

“I was honored to be able to return to the Rio Grande Valley to help inspire students who are where I was not too long ago,” said Castro, who graduated from UTB/TSC in May 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in biology.

She presented “Monitoring Biodiversity” and “Using Maps for Decision Making,” both parts of her “Tools of the Trade” program she conducts at the National Zoo, on Sept. 27 and 28. As part of her presentations she showed students several different techniques biologists now use to study animals in South Texas and case studies on how the use of Geographic Information Systems and Global Positioning Systems are being utilized.

Castro also participated in a panel discussion for HESTEC’s Latinas Day, where she spoke to female middle school students involved in Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, or GEAR UP, and their mothers about the importance of Latina women in the science, mathematics, technology and engineering fields. The panel consisted of distinguished women in the different fields of science.

“This was one of the most important things I believe I have ever done [in] my career,” she said. “Having the students and some of the mothers thanking me for my words was the most gratifying part of this experience.”

While attending UTB/TSC, Castro worked with engineering Associate Professor William Berg on a grant project focusing on local resacas. The grant allowed her to attend two regional conferences and the University of Concepción in Concepción, Chile. She also was a member of the Gorgas Science Society.

“[My experience] helped me grow as a leader and the opportunities at Rancho Del Cielo with groups were an [integral] part in how I teach and mentor students,” Castro said. 

As part of her job duties in Washington, D.C., Castro runs the Amazonia Science Gallery, conducts freshwater benthic macro invertebrate (aquatic bottom dwelling animals without a backbone) samplings along the Rock Creek National Park that runs through the zoo, conducts several educational lessons and is one of the instructors for the Columbia Heights Community Science Workshop Summer Program. 

 Castro plans on returning to school to pursue a master’s degree in wildlife management to help further increase her career choices.