News

STC Dual Engineering Students Watch Surgical Robot in Action

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 12:19:18 -0600

South Texas College dual mechatronics students from Mission Veterans Memorial high school witnessed first-hand the DaVinci, a robotic surgery machine used by surgeons from Rio Grande Regional Hospital. Mechatronics is the study of manufacturing, robotics and computer programming combined.

Surgeons from Rio Grande Regional Hospital offered the engineering students a chance to operate the robot while understanding its real-world applications.

"The DaVinci can perform anything we do that is laparoscopic," said general surgeon Dr. Ernesto Garza. “I personally use it for gallbladders, colectomies, hernia repair, gastric bypass, colon resection, liver and pancreatic resections and more.”

Dr. Garza also points out the DaVinci’s limitations.

“The robot specifically needs increments to be a certain distance apart so slim patients or small babies are not ideal to work with,” said Dr. Garza. “Certain surgeries also may take a while to perform, so the time it takes to set up the equipment for cases will differ from one that we can perform traditionally.”

Another issue has become the need for availability of the nearly $2 million machine.

“A lot of the other hospitals only have one, so if there’s only one system it could only be used once at a time, so now the question is, ‘Is it available for when I want it to be done?’.

Dean of STC’s Technology campus, Sara Lozano said the live demonstration is beneficial to our students who will likely depend on robots in the future.

"Showing students the potential of technology and the limitations is helpful for our students to learn because they’re the ones who are going to make the changes on how to improve technology and to see what exists and is used in the workforce right now is beneficial,” said Lozano.

Veterans Memorial senior Manuel Salinas shares his decision in heading for a new direction based on STC’s dual courses.

"Being in my STC dual credit classes has introduced me to new opportunities,” said Salinas. “I’ve been thinking of making the switch from civil engineering to manufacturing or mechanical because I want to make those innovations while I attend college."

STC instructor for advanced manufacturing technology Erika Guerra adds that there is a need for local and skilled robotic engineers for the Valley’s growing industries.

“Right now, in any industry, you can see the increase in where robotics and animation keeps increasing whether it’s in construction or the restaurant industry,” said Guerra. “And the medical field is one that keeps growing especially in the Valley and it’s great to expose our students who are taking these classes to see that this is something they’re definitely going to see in the future.”

Guerra shares that her mechatronics dual students are FANUC certified— a level one credential in handling operations and programming that is beneficial in a variety of professions.

The live demonstration was such a success between Valley surgeons and STC students that a similar demonstration will be held next semester.

To learn more about our advanced manufacturing engineering dual program visit, https://www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/manufacturing/index.html.

Quick Takes March 2019

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 10:02:00 -0500

Administrator for Dual Credit Programs and Instructional Pathways, Nick Gonzalez, announced his retirement March 7. The reception was held at the Cooper Center at South Texas College with family and colleagues close to him. Gonzalez was a founder of the Dual Enrollment program at STC. The Dual Credit program at STC collaborates with 23 school districts and 78 high schools across the valley. Gonzalez spent 20 years with STC.

TAMUK, STC sign transfer agreements for computer and engineering students

President of South Texas College, Dr. Shirley A. Reed attended a signing ceremony hosted by Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) March 19. The signing ceremony consisted of articulation agreements with TAMUK’s engineering and computer science programs. The articulation agreements allow for an easy transfer of classes into a four year university for students.

Innovative Tech Week held at Tech Campus

Innovative Tech Week was held from March 4-8 at South Texas College’s Technology Campus. Innovative Tech Week showcased all the different technology programs STC has to offer like welding, precision manufacturing, and diesel technology. Throughout the week, many career opportunities were presented to student’s interested in technology based fields.

Students at STC participate in Disability Awareness Day

South Texas College hosted a Disability Awareness Day Community Health Fair March 20. The purpose of the event was to connect students, faculty, and staff to a diverse range of disability, health, and related community resources. The event offered counseling as well as student disability services. Information tables, giveaways, and games were available for participants.

Students participate in Dining Etiquette Reception held at STC

The Office of Career & Employer Services, along with the Bachelors of Applied Technology and Science Programs held the Dining Etiquette Reception March 28. The purpose of this event was to prepare students for the workforce by polishing their professional skill set.

DEMSA students and faculty at South Texas College research potential new species of Mexican beetle

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 10:19:44 -0600

Armed with a high-powered microscope, South Texas College dual student Brianna Miranda prepares a delicate routine as she readies a number of colorful beetles for her research.

At first observing her specimens intently, she then soaks them in water, dries them, and then carefully extracts the female plates and male capsules of the Mexican Chrysina adelaida beetle. After the insects are mounted on foam, the capsules and plates are analyzed to determine if a new species has been discovered.

It might be off-putting for some, working with creatures that skitter or flit, but Miranda says the prospect of finding a never-before-seen species of the beetle is exciting. Her research with the insect has enabled her to branch out to the study of speciation as she completes a degree in Biology while still in high school.

More importantly, her work with the beetle will have a profound impact on her future and bring a vital research component typically not seen at STC, she says.

Biology faculty and dual credit students conducting research reflects the college’s core values, and emphasizes Dual Credit Programs mission to be a selective and competitive program committed to students at different levels.

“The fact that you can take these findings and apply them to larger principles and larger problems, I find that fascinating,” Miranda said. “I find the trial and error aspect of research very interesting. You may not find something, but if you do, that one possibility could make a difference. You could find a new species.”

As a student with Dual Enrollment Medical Science Academy (DEMSA) at South Texas College, Brianna is now in her second year assisting faculty at STC’s Mid Valley Campus by researching factors that keep the beetles from breeding, which then prompts them to form new species. “You could discover something that maybe could lead to further findings. I find that very interesting as well,” Brianna said.

Brianna calls the process highly fascinating and descriptive of an early passion for research.

“I'm very glad that South Texas College promotes this through the Dual Academies and through these different initiatives that I participated in through my time here,” she said. “I think their promotion of science is really monumental and I hope that it will continue to grow and expand. I feel like I have learned a lot through this project.”

Currently a high school senior and Biology major, Brianna said she initially learned about the unique project through DEMSA, and was introduced to Dr. David Robacker who was working on speciation of the beetle.

DEMSA is one of five academy programs that comprise STC’s Dual Enrollment Academy enabling high achieving students to earn an Associate of Science in Biology, an Associate of Science in Computer Science, Associate of Science in Engineering, Associate of Arts in Business Administration, and an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice.

Since the Dual Enrollment Academy Programs inception in 2005, over 1,000 high school seniors graduated with an Associate degree in their field of study. Moreover, over $20 million of scholarships have been offered, by universities and foundations, for Academy Program graduates to continue their education.

In Brianna’s case, the study of the insects further prepares her for a likely major in Biochemistry, Biology or Biomedical Science. She is currently one of four students in the academy currently assisting Dr. Robacker with the beetle research.

A noted expert in the study of the Chrysina genus, Dr. Robacker has been working with the beetle for over 20 years and has collected over 100 different species from around the world. He has also discovered at least two species which no one else had seen before and had one of those, Chrysina robackeri, named after him.

Robacker says work on Chrysina adelaida in academia is limited to only a few researchers across the country including David Hawks, who is unofficially affiliated with the University of California in Riverside and Michelle Zamarron, soon to be a student at Oregon State University working on her PhD in molecular genetics in the agronomy department.

This feature puts STC at the forefront for research into the insect as scientists have been studying the movements of the insects as indicators of climate change, Robacker said.

“As far as I know, nobody else is working on Chrysina adelaida, other than those mentioned,” Dr. Robacker said. “Research into the systematics of the genus Chrysina however is a very active around the world, even though the geographical distribution of Chrysina is restricted to the new world from the southwest US to Ecuador.

“Approximately two papers per year are published describing new species in the genus,” Dr. Robacker said. “Currently, there are about 120 species in the genus and I am actively working on descriptions of two to three new species from what is currently known as Chrysina resplendens.”

The ruteline scarab beetle Chrysina along with genera like Plusiotis and Pelidnotopsis are sometimes referred to as “jewel scarabs” for their brilliant iridescent and metallic colors including green, pink, purple, blue, silver, and gold. They belong to a group of about 150 species found mostly in México and Central America.

Coming full circle, Dr. Robacker says he now looks forward to eventually naming Brianna as an author for her work with the insect. Robcaker says having students enter research about the insects and eventually having their work published will significantly boost their career prospects.

“Eventually when we get done with this work, and it could be several years, she (Brianna) may be off to Harvard by then, but I will write it up and if it gets accepted into a taxonomy journal then it will be a new species,” Robacker said. “So once it's peer reviewed by other scientists and they accept it, then it becomes official.

“If she sticks with it long enough and does a substantial amount of work then I will name her as an author on the research,” he said.

Briana says she feels she is part of a unique and important phenomenon as she continues her work with the insect. Peering through her microscope, she explains how STC has given her the tools to pursue her degree within Biology.

“The professors here at South Texas College have been very encouraging, and helpful,” Miranda said. “I can definitely see myself majoring in something like biochemistry, biology, or biomedical science. That is what I am applying to since I'm in the process of applying to college. That will be the next step for me.

“I'm very glad that South Texas College promotes that through the Dual Academies and through these different initiatives that I participated in through my time here,” she said.

Dual credit instructor’s poor upbringing yields rich content for children’s books

Thu, 18 Oct 2018 08:45:00 -0500

It was New Year’s Day 1988. Growing up in General Santos City, the southern-most city in the Philippines, Rey Jope sat under a coconut tree, closed his eyes, and then asked God for hints about what was in store for his life.

His thoughts were drowned out by the sound of fireworks from nearby neighborhoods, but Jope (pronounced Ho-peh) said he still remembers the first time he became inspired to change his life.

“I remember asking ‘Lord, can you at least give me an idea what's in store for me’ because I wanted to help my family, and I wanted to start a career,” Jope said.

He did not know it at first, but his path would eventually lead him to the United States. Nonetheless, Jope said his young mind initially believed he would win the lottery.

The very next day, Jope said he went straight to the store and began purchasing lottery tickets, not knowing that opportunity would come in the form of a teaching career. One day, he was looking through classified ads in a newspaper and happened to come upon a call for teachers in Texas.

“Everything I dreamed about came true. Even though my mom got sick within a year, I had money to pay for her hospital bills since I was working,” he said. “Did I plan to go to the US? Well, I did not know that at the time.

“It all came from the dream I had for myself, and the nagging feeling that I thought I would win the lottery, but it turned out my dream was telling me about teaching in the United States,” he said.

He arrived in the US in 1993 already possessing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Mindanao State University, and would later receive a Master of Liberal Arts in Mathematics for Teaching degree from Harvard University.

“Before I moved here, I had never heard of anyone in my neighborhood who went to Texas and became a teacher,” he said. “Some of our neighbors believed that the opportunity for me to teach here in Texas was a scam.

"They asked my parents ‘the United States is so advanced, why would they hire teachers from a third world country,’” Jope said.

When he arrived in South Texas, Jope said he began teaching at a junior high school in Hidalgo. Years later, Jope is now a mathematics teacher at Achieve Early College High School in McAllen and was named District Secondary Teacher of the Year by McAllen Independent School District in 2008.

In his free time, Jope said he also decided to create two storybooks for children “Feyesper and the Rogue Kite” in 2013 and “Feyesper and the Wicked Neighbor” in 2018. The stories follow the title character, a pink fairy armadillo, and his friends Maty, a bantam rooster; and Oyel, a golden snail.

Jope said he developed the characters in his stories shortly after his mother passed away in 2002. While grieving, Jope said he looked for the best way to honor her memory and turned to writing short stories. He said he created the main character for his stories, Feyesper, by combining the Spanish words for “faith” and “hope".

“This is the way I want to remember my mother. I want to tell the world about her, but I just can’t find the time to write everything down in a memoir,” he said. “My stories epitomize my mom in that despite being born poor, you can still be a picture of hope and faith.

“My mom used to tell me everything will be just fine,” he said. "She would say that the only reason we were poor was because we didn't have money, but we were rich in everything else."

Common themes in his stories, he said, approach the subjects of children and their early relationships with their parents. For those students he teaches who may come from modest means, Jope says he uses his stories to explain that being born poor is only the start of their lives.

It all changes if they are willing to work hard, and if they have teachers who can inspire them, he said.

“These are stories about hope. They are stories about survival, and stories about a kind of love that you really can’t find anywhere,” he said. “My first story was the Rogue Kite, and it came about because I was concerned with the frequency of divorce here, and how divorce manifested inside my classroom.

“I explained the reasoning for the story like this. How do you fly a kite? You need wind, right? When do you release the string, and then when do you just hold it?

“Imagine if we can start teaching children at an early age how to be accountable with their relationships,” he said. “Using a kite, I can bring it down to three things. Know when to just hold, when to pull, and especially when to release it, because it's not about you all the time.”