Chance of a Lifetime

Students and professor participate in the Department of Homeland Security’s Summer Research Team Program

Dr. Omar Camarillo, an assistant professor of criminal justice at ENMU, and students Cecilia Torres (attending) and Xandra James (attending) recently participated in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Selection to the program, according to Dr. Camarillo, was very competitive, with three phases of interviews and reviews before being selected.

From left: Dr. Omar Camarillo, Xandra James and Cecilia Torres

“It was a great pleasure to be around a supportive group of individuals who have similar research agendas and who have an interest in the U.S.–Mexico border,” Cecilia said. “We were provided with the opportunity to attend lectures from some of the world’s leading experts on human trafficking, networking analysis, forensic and digital forensic science, and cryptocurrency.”

Cecilia, a junior double majoring in forensic science and criminal justice, said her chance for handson experience in crime analysis techniques was invaluable. “This program has allowed me to see what research really entails, and I thoroughly enjoy it.”

Xandra is a double major in criminal justice and sociology with a minor in psychology, and was thrilled to experience even more than the valuable insight and experience the DHS Research Team Program afforded her.

“My experience in this program is one that I wouldn’t have been able to have elsewhere. The faculty at George Mason University are very supportive of our research,” Xandra said. “I also got to explore Washington D.C. every weekend and experience groundbreaking American history with my own eyes.”