Explore cutting-edge research at the intersection of Natural Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences and Business in our Health, Environment and Sustainability track. These faculty and student presentations will address pressing global challenges, including environmental sustainability, climate change, healthcare, biomedical advancements and the principles of Laudato Si’.

From innovative solutions in renewable energy and conservation to advancements in medical research and public health, this session highlights interdisciplinary approaches to creating a healthier, more sustainable world. Join us to engage with groundbreaking research and be part of the conversation shaping our future!
 

 9 to 9:15 a.m.
Water Use and Conservation at Casa Maria
Laudato Si’ Theme Presentation
Debby Alonso, Business & Law major
Veronica Geronimo, Political Science major
Arturo Arana, Engineering Management major
Adrian Roda Teran, Engineering Management major
Roberto Abarca, Engineering Management major
Research mentor: David Turner, Ph.D.

In 2021, St. Mary’s University committed to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ Action Platform, aiming for sustainability. Honors students are evaluating water usage in the Casa Maria Community as a pilot project. Using observations and surveys, they recommend conservation strategies, hoping to expand efforts across the broader St. Mary’s campus. 

9:20 to 9:35 a.m.
The Living Campus: Landscaping with Purpose at St. Mary's
Laudato Si' theme oral presentation
Karelen Bastida, Finance and Risk Management major
Alyana Estes, Criminology major
Erick Santiago Jarquin Torres, Accounting major
Elijah Perez, Business and Law major
Savannah Torres, International and Global Studies major
Sophia Votta, Psychology major
Research mentor: David Turner, Ph.D.

St. Mary’s University committed to the Laudato Si’ Action Platform to enhance sustainability. Honors students are evaluating the Casa Maria Community’s environmental practices, focusing on water-efficient irrigation, mulching, and natural pest control. Using observations and surveys, they aim to recommend sustainable landscaping strategies with potential application across the entire campus. 

9:40 to 9:55 a.m.
Designing Climate Application Problems for the College Mathematics Classroom
SURF Student oral presentation
Dhwani Chandi, Mathematics major
Research mentor: Kaitlin Hill, Ph.D.

"Climate Applications for the College Mathematics Classroom" equips instructors to integrate climate science into math curricula, enriching education and fostering awareness. This initiative transforms mathematics into a tool for understanding climate change, preparing students to address global challenges by connecting mathematical concepts to real-world environmental issues. 

10 to 10:15 a.m.
Brother Nature: Pursuing Zero-Waste at Casa Maria
Laudato Si' theme oral presentation
Isaiah Charles, Environmental Science major
Tatiana Flores, Environmental Science major
Isabella Lopez, Environmental Science major
Antonio Martinez, Environmental Science major
Giuliana Porzio Cuenca, Environmental Science major
Kelly Swyers, Environmental Science major
Research mentor: David Turner, Ph.D.

In 2021, St. Mary’s University joined Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ Action Platform, committing to a more sustainable campus. This spring, Environmental Science students are working with the Marianists to improve waste management at Casa Maria. Their findings offer practical, cost-saving solutions that could benefit the entire university community. 

10:20 to 10:35 a.m.
From Faith to Watts: Sustainable Energy Solutions for St. Mary's University
Laudato Si' theme oral presentation
Trinity Gomez, Digital Marketing major
Marvin Masabo Nkaka, Computer Engineering major
Jazmin Palacios, Finance and Risk Management major
Olivia Rojas, Engineering major
Chelsy Tinacba, Computer Science major
Research mentor: David Turner, Ph.D.

St. Mary’s University committed to the Laudato Si’ Action Platform in 2021 to enhance campus sustainability. Honors students are evaluating energy consumption in the Casa Maria Community, using observations and surveys. Their findings will inform recommendations for reducing energy use and costs, with potential applications across the broader campus. 

10:40 to 10:55 a.m.
Role of Mexican Methodist Women in Education and Health Along the Border
Mexican American Studies oral presentation
Eugenio Gonzalez, Political Science major
Research mentor: Belinda Roman, Ph.D.

This project highlights the contributions of Mexican Methodist women, like Lydia Patterson and the Woman's Home Missionary Society, in advancing education and health along the U.S.-Mexico border. Using archival analysis, it honors their impact on Mexican and Mexican American communities in El Paso, revealing the intersection of faith and social progress. 

11 to 11:25 a.m.
Building a Sustainable Future: The Role of Sustainability Committees in Driving Radical Green Innovation
Klavdia Evans, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Management and Marketing

This study examines how some firms achieve radical sustainability while others make incremental progress. It explores the role of sustainability committees, guided by goal-setting theory, and how members' individual motivations, based on self-concordance theory, influence the committee's efforts in driving more radical sustainable innovations. 

11:30 to 11:55 a.m.
Comparative study of cranial endocasts of fossil and extant marsupials
Sabbatical oral presentation
Thomas Macrini, Ph.D., Chair and Professor of Biological Sciences 

This study examines cranial endocasts of fossil and extant marsupials using CT data to understand brain evolution. By describing endocasts of seven fossil marsupials and coding phylogenetic characters, the research aims to enhance knowledge of marsupial brain development and evolutionary relationships, contributing to the study of a 150-million-year fossil record. 

If you have any questions, please email URC@stmarytx.edu.