Catalyst Fall 2022 - COS

CATALYST

The Magazine of The College of Sciences at The University of Texas at San Antonio

Dean: David R. Silva, Ph.D. Editor: Ryan Schoensee

Contributing Editor: Lauren Moriarty

Graphic Designer: Coral Díaz

Copyeditor: Ashley Festa

Student Writers: Alex Roush, Amanda Korsah, Gabriela Maldonado, Mariana Suarez-Martinez, Pelle Munoz, Sara Timmons

Contributing Writer: Taylor Bird

Student Artists: Edwin Calderon, Ziqi Yu

COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION

Associate Dean for Faculty Success: Kelly Nash, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Associate Dean for Research: Jose Lopez-Ribot, Pharm.D./Ph.D.

Assistant Dean for Operations: Tracy Beasley, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies: Timothy Yuen, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean for Fiscal Administration: Mike Findeisen

Assistant Dean for Remote Instruction: Terri Matiella, Ph.D.

Alex Roush Environmental Science

Student Artists

Mariana SuarezMartinez Biology

Amanda Korsah Microbiology and Immunology Gabriela Maldonado Microbiology and Immunology Pelle Munoz Environmental Science Sara Timmons Biology

Message from the Dean

Greetings from the College of Sciences. There are many incredible things happening that I’m excited to share with you in this issue. We had a phenomenal start to the fall semester, and it’s been truly amazing to see our campus come alive with students, faculty and staff. Every day I am given the opportunity to witness their passion, expertise and resilience. I am grateful to serve and proud to represent each of these groups within our college.

We continue to flourish and follow our trend of breaking old records and establishing new ones. This fall, the College of Sciences experienced record enrollment growth with nearly over 5,800 students, many of whom will be the first in their family to earn a college degree. We have also hired 27 fixed-term-track faculty from prestigious institutions around the world who are now bringing their unique talents and abilities to UTSA.

Additionally, our research expenditures are higher than ever and are over $45 million for the year, which is a key driver to maintaining UTSA’s classification as a Tier One research university. This funding provides numerous research opportunities to students of all levels: doctoral, graduate or undergraduate. It also coincides with the college’s mission to equip the next generation of professionals, leaders and scientists with the skills and resources they need to tackle society’s greatest problems.

I’d also like to mention that this issue of Catalyst is particularly exciting to me as an astrophysicist and an astronomer. In the feature story on page 10, we explore the space and planetary science research that is happening right now within our college. I hope you enjoy reading it and are as fascinated as I am by the advancements made by our faculty, students and partner institutions.

Despite many challenges, we’ve achieved much in these past couple of years. We wouldn’t be where we are without the help from our community and friends. Thank you for your continued support of our college and its mission. Your contributions are allowing us to create bold futures that will prepare our students, many of whom come from backgrounds that are largely underrepresented in the sciences, to become world-class leaders. Thank you for making a difference and for being a part of our journey.

Edwin Calderon Computer Science

Ziqi Yu Chemistry

Sincerely,

DAVID R. SILVA, PH.D. Distinguished Professor, Physics and Astronomy Dean, College of Sciences

Congratulations

u The Integrative Biology (IB) M.S. program was named a finalist in the graduate category for the 2022 Examples of Excelencia program by Excelencia in Education. Excelencia is the nation’s premier authority in efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education.

u The Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) launched a new Ph.D. program in molecular microbiology and immunology to address the critical local, state and national workforce shortage of specialists in immunology and infectious diseases.

u Janis Bush (IB) is leading a research team that surveyed the Texas landscape for milkweed, which is critical to the survival of the monarch butterfly. The team has partnered with organizations such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, the Monarch Joint Venture and the National Butterfly Center.

u Fang Xu (Chemistry) is the co-principal investigator on a proposal to more efficiently generate hydrogen from methanol, a renewable feedstock. Xu’s co-principal investigator, Shyam Kattel, is an assistant professor in the Department of Physics at Florida A&M University. The project received a three-year, $650,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.

u Audrey Lamb (Chemistry) was awarded a $486,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to advance her team’s research on the enzymes that produce riboflavin, more commonly known as vitamin B2.

u In July, the Department of Physics and Astronomy held an international collaboration to advance the technical readiness of high uranium density fuels (HDFs) and composites for small modular reactors. Led by Elizabeth Sooby (Physics and Astronomy), the participants from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Boise State University and the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom shared their knowledge, trained students and planned an aggressive experimental scope of work to prepare for the next generation of nuclear fuel compounds.

u UTSA and the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) are collaborating to improve storage materials for hydrogen fuels with a hybrid metal-carbon microstructure that combines both chemical and physical hydrogen storage mechanisms. The project is supported by a $125,000 grant from the Connecting through Research Partnerships (Connect) program and will be led by Kathryn Mayer (Physics and Astronomy), Fang Xu (Chemistry) and Josh Mangum of SwRI’s Mechanical Engineering Division.

u Chris Packham (Physics and Astronomy) experienced history as NASA shared the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope, the largest and most powerful telescope in the world. Packham is a member of the select group of astronomers to whom NASA awarded time using the telescope.

u Aimin Liu (Chemistry) was awarded a three-year, $495,000 Accomplishment-Based Renewal (ABR) grant from the National Science Foundation to advance his research on the human body’s metabolic processes using an innovative method that will improve the understanding of amino acids.

u Angela Speck (Physics and Astronomy) discussed her findings regarding stardust crystallization during the semiannual conference of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). Understanding what stardust is made of and its crystal structure is key to unlocking fundamental answers to how stars are born and how they die.

u UTSA announced the 10 recipients of the Oskar Fischer Prize, an international competition to expand society’s understanding of the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. The prize, the world’s largest of its kind, totals $4 million in gold, silver and bronze categories, with finalists receiving $500,000, $400,000 and $300,000, respectively. Launched in 2019 following a philanthropic gift to UTSA from Texas businessman James Truchard, the Oskar Fischer Prize put forward a unique challenge by engaging the world’s brightest researchers to develop proposals to change how society looks at Alzheimer’s disease.

u Richard Anantua (Physics and Astronomy) was part of a team of astronomers who unveiled the first-ever image of Sagittarius A*, the black hole that sits at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. That team, the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration, is an international research group that uses its worldwide network of radio telescopes and a technique called interferometry to capture high-resolution data as if it were one Earth-size telescope. This is only the second time in history that a black hole image has been captured.

u Doctoral student Tom Varner (Earth and Planetary Sciences) was awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship for the 2022–2023 academic year. In India, Varner will conduct field work on arsenic in drinking water, which affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide.

u Francis Yoshimoto (Chemistry) introduced innovative pedagogy by utilizing virtual reality headsets to help his students observe and analyze protein structures.

u Nine faculty members from the College of Sciences were named University Excellence Award winners. The annual University Excellence Awards celebrates the achievements of Roadrunner faculty and staff, including exceptional teaching, innovative research, exemplary team spirit and impactful advocacy.

u Biochemistry student Samantha Oviedo (Chemistry) was named a Barry Goldwater Scholar. The award is the most prestigious national scholarship bestowed on undergraduate students engaging in undergraduate research in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics.

u The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) named Amanda Fernandez (Computer Science) and Thomas Forsthuber (MMI) as part of its 2022 class of NAI Senior Members.

u Francis Yoshimoto (Chemistry) is leading a team that developed an antiobesity drug that blocks the effects of cytochrome P450 8B1, the enzyme linked to cholesterol absorption and obesity.

Good to Know: Dr. Tracy Beasley

Tracy Beasley is a member of the Dean’s Cabinet and the College of Sciences Leadership Team at UTSA. He is responsible for the college’s day-to-day operations and advises the Dean on long-term strategic initiatives to improve the college’s management, operations, human capital, and physical infrastructure, such as strategic planning, staff training, compensation and performance reviews, staff recognition and appreciation initiatives, space planning and management, facilities, and regulatory compliance. He holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy, an Ed.S. in enrollment management, a master’s in finance and business administration, a master’s in educational administration, and a bachelor’s in criminal justice administration.

Meeting stated goals on time drives me because it gives me a sense of accomplishment and allows me to look back and say, “I did that.” I’m also motivated by measurable results. Knowing that my weekly report summary and results will be viewed by the Dean and others, for example, instills pride in me and inspires me to achieve more. A dedication to success speaks to who I am and who I have always been.

After high school, I spent eight years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. Following my college graduation, I worked in public schools for 21 years as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director of special education and federal programs in the K-12 education sector.

When I initially transferred from secondary to higher education, I worked as a campus manager at Houston Community College (HCC). Later, I oversaw workforce student achievement initiatives. While at HCC, I developed strategic alliances and partnerships with K-12 schools, colleges, universities and a range of industries in order to provide students with career-related experiences and to eradicate educational and occupational inequities. I also sought to increase access to long-term, high-wage and in-demand occupations. For many years, I was both an adjunct faculty member at HCC and a campus director for two independent multi-campus systems—HCC and Austin Community College. Prior to joining UTSA, I worked at the University of Houston as the director of facilities, business, operations and compliance.

On my ideal weekend, I would be barbecuing on our back deck while watching college football—I enjoy yelling at the television. My wife and I also devote time to our children’s sports, extracurricular activities and events. We occasionally pay visits to friends and family.

I truly like working with my colleagues in the College of Sciences’ eight departments and my counterparts in the Dean’s office. It’s a welcoming environment, and I’m excited to come to work every day. There are always new challenges to face, and I enjoy providing a helping hand wherever I can.

The College at a Glance

Infographics: Edwin Calderon

Rowdy-Ready Research College of Sciences students participate in the top-tier university’s quest for research excellence

By Mariana Suarez-Martinez

UTSA is the only university in San Antonio recognized as a Carnegie R1 or “Tier One” university. The R1 designation places UTSA among the nation’s top public and private research universities. We earned the designation in February thanks to our high-achieving students and powerhouse faculty. More and more incoming freshmen who demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence are selecting UTSA as their top university choice. Whether first-years or doctoral students, College of Sciences students are reaching new heights and projecting us forward.

The College of Sciences has close to $45.6 million in research expenditures and over 340 actively funded projects, many of which undergraduate students participate in. Research involvement as an undergrad is an important step in augmenting their academic journey and knowledge. “A career in research is very rewarding; you never stop learning,” said Jose Lopez-Ribot, associate dean of research in the College of Sciences. “You learn from your own work, and others get to learn from your work.”

UTSA offers many opportunities for collaboration with spectacular faculty, opportunities that can lead to a lab position and an important letter of recommendation for graduate school or future employment. For example, Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) can jumpstart a career in research. Through CURE, students learn to do authentic original research while earning course credit and are offered an opportunity to gain real-world skills while refining their interests and career plans. Although CURE does not provide the opportunity to conduct research independent of an existing project, the courses are a stepping

stone to landing a position in a lab or obtaining a summer internship. Through CURE, students gain valuable knowledge, practice reasoning and troubleshooting problems, and learn how to communicate with the team and principal investigator (PI).

Whether participating in CURE or another research program, it is crucial for students to work hard and get to know the PI or professor, which is a surefire way to create new opportunities in the future. These mentors can elevate you and highlight your hard work, helping you obtain a new job in your field. Roadrunners have the advantage of working with amazing faculty who truly believe in the advancement of the sciences. “Research is the most exciting thing to do, to watch the world change and be a person to help make it change,” said Audrey Lamb, chair of the Department of Chemistry.

UTSA is home to natural leaders in many fields. We offer the top cybersecurity program in the nation and are one of the few universities to hold all three National Center for Excellence designations from the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The College of Sciences receives $3 million annually from NASA to fund the Center for Advanced Measurements in Extreme Environments (CAMEE) program, which provides students with the opportunity to conduct substantial research.

BY THE NUMBERS

UTSA’s faculty and students are world-class scientists

2

4

Goldwater Scholars for STEM research, the most of all Texas universities

Endowed Welch Chairs

Fellows 7 National Academy Members 13

National Academy of

Inventor

HOW TO FUND YOUR

RESEARCH

AS AN UNDERGRADUATE

If you are a freshman or sophomore, look into the Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Educational Diversity (ESTEEMED) program. The NIH-funded program provides underserved undergraduates with opportunities to conduct research at UTSA and all across the world. If you are a junior or senior, check out the RISE/MARC program, which provides a stipend and opportunities to gain valuable experience in your desired field of research. Additionally, if you are an Honors student, there are scholarships that can help fund your research. The Honors College Carlos and Malu Alvarez Special Opportunities Fund Scholarship provides financial assistance for Honors students who travel to national and international conferences or academic workshops. The Honors Developmental Award, which renews the first of every month, funds service, professional development and experiential learning activities.

The College’s Premier Research Spaces: Part 1

Students and faculty in the College of Sciences have access to multiple research centers and institutes that offer state-of-the-art facilities and instrumentation. These spaces provide the environment, resources and guidance students and researchers need to make meaningful scientific contributions to our world.

Learn about the rest of the college's research spaces in the Spring 2023 issue of Catalyst.

Center for Research and Training in the Sciences

The Center for Research and Training in the Sciences (CRTS) is home to a variety of faculty and student research training and support programs. The mission of the CRTS is to promote science, research and education, and the center coordinates and administers programs related to all scientific disciplines. The CRTS programs have launched the scientific careers of hundreds of UTSA students.

Many programs within the CRTS support undergraduate and graduate students as research assistants, and all play an integral role in the academic programs of the university. These programs attract scientific visitors who engage in cooperative training with UTSA faculty and students, participate in seminar series, and supervise independent research projects.

South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases

The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID) conducts research in the fields of molecular microbiology, immunology, medical mycology, virology, microbial genomics, vaccine development and biodefense. It is a premier center for the study of the pathogenic mechanisms of emerging infectious diseases. New state-of-the-art facilities and the faculty’s diverse expertise provide an excellent

environment to answer critical questions relating to infections caused by microbes, including emerging and biodefense-related diseases.

FACILITY HIGHLIGHTS

u Two licensed Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories

Biosafety Level 2 Animal facilities (ABSL-2)

Genomics Core Lab

Cell Analysis Core Facility

Multiphoton Microscopy suite

KARL KLOSE is the director of the STCEID and a professor of microbiology.

Institute for Water Research, Sustainability and Policy

The Institute for Water Research, Sustainability and Policy (IWRSP) brings together UTSA faculty and water professionals from the San Antonio area and South Texas region to identify water-related problems and address water resources for individuals, communities, agriculture and industry. The team’s research spans hydrology, hydrogeology and flood control; water chemistry, contaminants, nutrients and public health; advanced water treatment and reuse; monitoring and modeling of water resources and climate; sustainable water use, reuse and policy research; aquifer sustainability, groundwater resources and ecology; and cross-border water solutions for the U.S.–Mexico border.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Ashley Aguilar, a Ph.D. Environmental Science and Engineering student, is researching water contamination in Central Mexico through the IWRSP. Aguilar’s research investigates the extent and impact of arsenic and fluoride leaching via temperature release into the groundwater from hydrothermally impacted sediments. Aguilar volunteers with several local organizations. She collected litter at local parks with Keep San Antonio Beautiful and built post-assisted log structures (known as “beaver dams”) with the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) to reduce erosion along the Medina River. She is the current graduate student adviser and the student liaison for the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG) Texas Chapter board, a member of the Diversity, Education and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) for AEG, as well as a member of the Sigma Gamma Epsilon (SGE) national honor society for the earth sciences.

NASA MIRO Center for Advanced Measurements in Extreme Environments

The NASA MIRO Center for Advanced Measurements in Extreme Environments (NASA MIRO CAMEE) recruits, educates and mentors a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate interdisciplinary students to become leaders in earth-system sciences, space sciences, computational fluid dynamics and experimental fluid mechanics. Students have access to a variety of equipment in CAMEE’s central location as well as the Geographic Information System (GIS) and Geophysical Facility; the Volcano Testing Lab; the Snow and Ice Testing Lab; the Turbulence, Sensing, and Intelligence Systems Lab; the UTSA Hypersonic Lab; the Laser Spectroscopy and Chemical Propulsion Lab; the Heat and Mass Transfer and Experimental Rheology Lab; the Electrochemistry Lab; the Ocean Sciences Lab; and partnering research labs around campus.

SAUGATA DATTA is the director of the IWRSP and a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.

EQUIPMENT HIGHLIGHTS

u Matrice 600 and Matrice 100 Full-scale Drones

u Unmanned and manned Ground Rovers

u 3-D printer

u Mars Surface Replicas

u Microsoft HoloLens for Virtual Reality

u Three-foot water tunnel facility

u Differential scanning calorimeters (DSC), high temperature rheometers and viscometers, and light flash analysis (LFA) for measuring thermal conductivity

u Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Generator

u Electromagnetic induction meters

u FM-CW snow radar system

u Ground-penetrating radar system

u Rain gauge

u SEAEXPLORER glider

u Spectroradiometer

u Terrestrial LiDAR scanner

u Thermal imaging camera

u 36-node Himalaya Supercomputing Cluster

u 30,000-node UTSA Simulator NVIDIA Graphical Cluster

u Mobile sensing laboratory equipped with wind, temperature and surface flux and gas sensors

u Mach 7 wind tunnel and a low-speed wind tunnel

Unlocking the Mysteries of Space

Astronomy and Planetary Science Research in the College of Sciences

By Amanda Korsah

In the College of Sciences, many faculty are working on extraordinary research projects related to astronomy and planetary science. This includes discoveries on Sagittarius A*, the black hole located in the center of our galaxy, and working with the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful telescope ever created. Research in the College of Sciences has led to capturing the first-ever images of distant planets and determining previously unknown arcs of new galaxies, among other discoveries. An important contributor in the astronomy and planetary science community, UTSA is a member of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, with Provost Kimberly Espy on the board of directors and Chris Packham and Angela Speck from the Department of Physics and Astronomy serving as representatives.

Discoveries in Planetary Science

In January 2023, Xinting Yu will join the College of Sciences from the University of California Santa Cruz as an assistant professor and will continue her research into understanding planetary materials using aspects of material science. Originally from China, Yu earned her undergraduate degree in space physics at the University of Science and Technology of China where she conducted research on solar physics observing the Sun’s corona. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Ph.D. in planetary science as part of its first planetary science program.

Yu’s primary postdoctoral research is on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, and the organics of its atmosphere. Titan is the only moon in the solar system with an atmosphere. Her study investigates how to simulate the organics on Titan in a laboratory on Earth and understand the roles these organics play in various chemical and physical processes on Titan. By introducing novel material science techniques like colloidal probe atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation into planetary

science, she pioneers the material characterization of planetaryrelevant materials on Titan, and she has been extending her planetarymaterial research to other bodies in the solar system and beyond.

Yu will continue her research in solar physics at UTSA. “Future work includes using these material properties to enhance the science behind the launch of Dragonfly, a NASA mission to send a drone to Titan in 2034 to investigate its surface,” she said.

Alan Whittington, a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, is researching volcanology and planetary geology. One of his current projects involves volcanoes on Mars, including Olympus Mons, the biggest volcano in the solar system. Much can be learned from Mars’ volcanoes by examining similar volcanoes on our home planet, like those in Hawaii. High-temperature experiments by Whittington and his lab have assisted in the understanding of the Hawaii eruptions in 2018, particularly how fast lava can flow and how rapidly it cools and stops flowing. Whittington and his lab are also studying how the volcanoes on Mars erupted and what can be learned about the planet’s environment.

Another current project of Whittington’s involves a lunar regolith simulant. The research team is attempting to find a way to build shelter on the Moon. Much experimentation has gone into melting lunar soil into bricks to be used for landing and launching pads on the Moon. Whittington’s group works with Astroport Space Technologies Inc., a company that is developing patent-pending regolith solidification technologies for lunar infrastructure construction. Whittington’s research will provide measurements such as heat capacity and thermal conductivity to help determine how much energy will be needed to melt the rock. “We hope that our research contributes to the development of landing pads and habitats that will allow future scientists to go and do fieldwork on the Moon, Mars and beyond in order to further our understanding of how other terrestrial bodies formed and evolved through time,” Whittington said.

Thayne Currie, an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, focuses on directly imaging planets around other stars, known as extrasolar planets. To carry out this research, he primarily works on the Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics (SCExAO) project on the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii. This instrument pushes the frontiers of what is possible for imaging extrasolar planets from ground-based telescopes by advancing new, key technologies. Right now, he mainly uses SCExAO to image fully formed gas giant extrasolar planets, similar to Jupiter. SCExAO can measure and quantify atmospheric properties of these planets, like clouds and gravity.

Currie is also using SCExAO to detect protoplanets, which are planets in the process of forming that are still embedded in disks of gas and dust around infant stars. Detecting many protoplanets could potentially construct a fossil record for understanding the earliest stages of the solar system’s formation. Imaging and characterizing protoplanets and fully formed planets around other stars helps us to better understand the formation and evolution of our solar system. In the future, technology honed with SCExAO will allow us to image rocky, Earth-size planets that may harbor life. “UTSA students interested in planets around other stars can be involved in this research,” said Currie.

Celestial Body Exploration

Eric Schlegel, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, focuses a portion of his research on the astrophysics of interacting binary stars and X-ray emissions of spiral galaxies. Schlegel’s research primarily focuses on the unknown arcs called “burps” around Galaxy NGC 5195 and what caused the outward shock of the burps. He was part of the team that coined the term “burp” in relation to the black hole back in 2016. He suspects that the creation of the burps was caused either by material from a nearby galaxy called the NGC 5194 galaxy, or material that rushed towards the black

hole; the black hole could not handle the material and pushed it back out, hence, the ‘burps.’

“Mass can build up around a black hole because of angular momentum: Think rock whirling over your head because of a connecting rope,” he said. “If that mass were then hit with a lot more mass, it would essentially be equivalent to a large road accident. When a lot of mass hits a lot of mass, you tend to create shocks that push mass into an empty space.” Schlegel and his colleagues are looking at the illuminated material and attempting to understand what they see as a shock. One test they conduct to see whether their interpretation is correct involves looking at different wavelengths. A shock that appears in the X-ray band is almost guaranteed to also be visible in radio waves. They are testing their interpretation using radio data with the Very Large Array radio telescope in New Mexico. “Astronomy is just as interesting now as it was when I was young,” said Schlegel.

Richard Anantua, an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, has made quite an impact in black hole research using the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). Anantua is the head of the first EHT research group in Texas and has performed outreach to diversify the STEM field with programs such as the National Society of Black Physicists/Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Event Horizon Telescope (NSBP/SAO EHT) Scholars program. His research tries to understand the images that can be seen from the Event Horizon Telescope, including the black hole-distorted regions of space and time around M87 and Sagittarius A*. What we understand as black holes are sectors of spacetime with a gravitational field so strong that light cannot escape. Anantua’s research focuses on developing models of how energy in plasma is transmitted in particles. He uses data from a global array extending from the South Pole Telescope to the Greenland Telescope to compare with his models and understand how plasma looks around the black hole. His model simulations matched the data collected, indicating that turbulent processes where radiation is hottest can help scientists understand plasma thermodynamics. “Learning more about the black hole and its properties can increase our knowledge of the fundamental basis of our world and the general advancement of science,” said Anantua.

Chris Packham, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, specializes in infrared instrumentation and astrophysical observations. He is using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)— the largest and most powerful telescope ever created—to understand the supermassive black holes at the center of certain distant galaxies. As the supermassive black hole devours gas and dust, it produces substantial amounts of heat and light. Packham and his colleagues are trying to understand the effect of these black holes on their galaxy and what effect the galaxy has on the black hole, and how the galaxy affects the creation of the supermassive black hole. This knowledge

could be used to help understand how the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way could affect our local region of the galaxy.

Packham, in collaboration with UTSA’s School of Music, hosted an event on Oct. 20 at the Main Campus called “Interstellar.” The event highlighted the stunning images taken by the James Webb Space Telescope with an astounding choral experience put together by the School of Music. “The JWST affords us an incredible opportunity to observe the universe in ways that we haven’t had before, and it’s wonderful to have UTSA faculty and students fully involved in this project,” Packham said.

As a professor and the chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Angela Speck makes it her mission to introduce her love of space to her students and everyone around her. Speck is an expert on solar eclipses and space dust. Most people do not ever witness an eclipse in their lifetime. “Even though there is a total solar eclipse somewhere on Earth approximately every 18 months, the time between total solar eclipses at one specific location on Earth averages 375 years,” said Speck. However, these eclipses are not evenly spaced: southern Illinois and southeast Missouri saw a total eclipse in 2017 and will again in 2024.

The locations where total eclipses occur need to be prepared to ensure safety for onlookers. Beyond helping communities prepare for total eclipses, Speck has also been involved with monitoring atmospheric response to total eclipses. She also investigates space dust, which are small particles from cosmic bodies that coast through space. Speck researches how the nature of space dust and her results could potentially mitigate climate change. One hypothesis is that space dust injected into the Earth’s stratosphere would reflect sunlight and protect the Earth from increasing temperatures. To test this, Speck is evaluating the reaction of dust to starlight and how that depends on dust composition, grain size and shape in order to model how such dust would impact the Earth’s atmosphere.

How a Galaxy Is Formed

David Silva, a distinguished professor of Physics and Astronomy and the dean of the College of Sciences, has long been interested in the formation and evolution of galaxies. Working with telescopes on the ground and in space, astronomers like Silva can infer the age of a star, when it was born and when it will die, where it is located, its threedimensional motion through space, and its chemical composition. This knowledge can illuminate how our home galaxy, the Milky Way, was formed and what lies in its future. Working with the same or similar telescopes, astronomers can study how more distant galaxies formed and evolved over cosmic time.

Silva is a former director of the National Science Foundation’s National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), the preeminent U.S. national center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. Silva participated in the National Academies Decadal Survey of Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020. The final report, titled “Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s,” provides a roadmap for astronomy and astrophysics in the United States for the next 10 years. Silva served on the subcommittee for optical and infrared astronomy from the ground. As part of this subcommittee, Silva worked with colleagues to examine what has happened in astronomy in the past in order to determine which projects to prioritize for the next decade. One notable recommended project was the U.S. Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) Program, which will ultimately help astronomers access the entire sky from Hawaii to Chile. The U.S. ELT Program is a multi-billion-dollar collaboration between U.S. federal, state (including Texas A&M and UT Austin) and private entities with several international partners. “The combination of the U.S. ELT Program observatories with other observatories, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, will open exciting new windows on the origins of the first galaxies in our universe,” said Silva.

Graduate Program in Physics with Specialization in Space Physics and Instrumentation

Robert Ebert is an adjoint faculty member in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UTSA and a principal scientist at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). He is a member of the UTSA–SwRI Space Physics Graduate Program, which offers master’s and doctoral programs and research opportunities in space physics, planetary science and astrophysics. Space physics is the study of charged particles, magnetic and electric fields, and currents associated with the Sun and the space environment around the Earth and other planets. SwRI scientists who associate with this program study these topics primarily through the analysis and interpretation of in-situ- and remote-sensing observations from instruments developed at SwRI that are located on satellites currently operating in space. They are also involved in developing new space missions. Students are directly involved in analyzing and modeling these spacebased observations and in supporting the development of instrumentation for space physics, planetary science and astrophysics applications.

Supporting College of Sciences Students

The College of Sciences’ Student Success Center is a catalyst for academic accomplishments

By Alex Roush

“Welcome to the College of Sciences Student Success Center! Our mission is to assist all COS students in discovering their passion within the sciences and developing each student’s science identity. We want to help you thrive while you are here at UTSA!” This warm greeting from College of Sciences Student Success Center (COS SSC) Director Daniel Ramirez-Escobedo exemplifies what the center represents for students: a welcoming environment that supports them throughout their academic journey.

The SSC is a key resource for all COS undergraduate students as well as any student taking a course within the college. Located in the Flawn Sciences Building, the SSC provides students with a variety of study areas along with whiteboards and study materials. Additionally, Science Mentors are on hand to answer any question students may have.

What is a Science Mentor?

Science Mentors meet with COS students (referred to as mentees) to provide the resources they need to thrive academically. All mentors are also COS students, so they can share their similar experiences and connect with their mentees on a more personal level. Mentees typically meet with their mentors three times every semester to talk about how their classes are going and to share any areas in which they are struggling. The Science Mentor then provides the proper resources to the mentee.

Science Mentors receive comprehensive training and develop skills in many different areas. As Science Mentor Euchgoebjnai (Belle) Cyriaque said, “My time working at the College of Sciences Student Success Center is like nothing I could have ever imagined. The amount of work experience that I’ve obtained through this job—from event planning, to leadership skills, to growth in communication with individuals from different backgrounds, to problem-solving skills and so much more—has truly encouraged a lot of growth for me as a student and an individual. What I have most enjoyed is the faculty-to-student relationships. I appreciate working with Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Dr. Timothy Yuen; our director, Daniel Ramirez-Escobedo; and our coordinators, Vero Salazar and Tracy Lopez. I am encouraged that they care about our feedback on how to make the COS SSC a hub for academic and professional success for COS students.”

Acceptance to Medical Education) program. Saucedo connected with the students and shared her college experience as well as interview tips for medical school.

Does the College of Sciences Student Success Center offer any resources during the summer?

The COS SSC does not offer direct tutoring, but when a student requests help with a specific course, Science Mentors direct them to the correct resource. “This year, we have an Academics Committee working to provide students with opportunities such as our How to Study Like a Scientist workshop and other great events,” said Science Mentor Analisa Rojas. “I’d suggest checking our social media and website calendar for the latest updates on our events.”

The COS SSC also hosts social events dedicated to helping mentees mingle and make friends within the college. For example, the SSC hosted a College of Sciences: Paint Par-Tea event in August. Students met their mentor as well as other students within the college. They enjoyed free snacks and HTeaO, picked up canvases, and sat and painted in the shade. Some students even left with new “Back to the Lab” tank tops.

The COS SSC also hosts an event series titled “Taste of Success.” The series debuted in the Fall 2022 semester and invites UTSA alumni and industry professionals to talk about their academic journey and to share their success story. The students watch these informative presentations while enjoying free food and beverages. In September, the SSC showcased

In summer 2022, the COS SSC hosted workshops focused on students’ time-management skills and ways to improve their professional networking. “We believe that students should take advantage of the wonderful resources and opportunities available to them at UTSA,” said Rojas. “We make an effort to host events that we feel are vital for the success of College of Sciences students.”

Will my Science Mentor actually care about me?

Mentors genuinely care about their mentees. As Science Mentor Edwin Calderon said, “Working at the COS SSC, I often think back to when I first transferred to UTSA. I remember being so lost and confused with my degree and science identity, I barely knew of any resources UTSA had to offer, and I often contemplated dropping out. Remembering this has made me proud of becoming a Science Mentor because I now find myself in a position where I can reach out to others and provide those resources I wish I had. It fills me with joy meeting with mentees because, by answering their questions, I know that they are one step closer to reaching their goals. Maybe one day they will become a Science Mentor to someone else as well, so we’re progressively building a stronger science community at UTSA.”

What resources does the College of Sciences Student Success Center offer?

Senayda Saucedo, a fourth-year medical student at UT Health San Antonio’s Long School of Medicine. She completed UTSA’s FAME (Facilitated

The SSC offers space for students to work collaboratively.

Follow the COS SSC on the following social media channels:

@COS_Success UTSA COS Student Success Center

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Amanda Fernandez

By Sara Timmons

AI is everywhere—autonomous vehicles and robots, voice assistants, mobile phone security and even our digital media. So how do we know we can trust it? “Explainable AI” is a field of research aiming to identify how and why an artificial intelligence arrived at a certain prediction or outcome, like “Why did Netflix recommend that movie?” or “Is that video real or manipulated?”

Amanda Fernandez, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science, is conducting research on explainable AI, designing and optimizing deep neural networks for large-scale applications. Her research can serve as a method to detect digital anomalies in media, protecting against misinformation as well as ensuring safer driving for autonomous vehicles.

Fernandez completed her undergraduate degree in computer science in Loudonville, near her hometown in upstate New York. She earned her master’s degree in computer science and her Ph.D. in computer science with a focus on machine learning and computer vision from the University of Albany. “I minored in math as a grad student and in Spanish as an undergrad just for fun,” she said.

Before joining the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2017 as an assistant professor of practice, Fernandez worked for 10 years as a software engineer and researcher for private industries, startups and state offices. In 2019, she became an assistant professor

teaching computer science classes such as application programming and deep learning. In application programming courses, students learn object-oriented languages such as Java. In deep learning classes, students learn about neural networks and adversarial learning using a software library called TensorFlow.

Fernandez is part of UTSA’s Consortium on Nuclear Security Technologies (CONNECT) nuclear security program, which educates the next generation of scientists and engineers in nuclear security, nuclear forensics, and computational and data analytic applications. Fernandez currently holds 19 U.S. patents. In recognition of her achievements, she was recently elected to the 2022 class of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Senior Members. The NAI is a nonprofit organization that recognizes and encourages inventors with patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

OFFICE HOURS

Fernandez’s advice for College of Sciences students is to self-organize. “Find the calendar, schedule, reminder system or setup that works for you, and put everything in there,” she said. Implementing the right system will help ensure you don’t lose track of those deadlines, which helps relieve stress. “It enables you to take some much-needed guilt-free time off.”

Awesome Alum: Ramon Benavides

By Pelle Munoz

Ramon Benavides is an education enthusiast and staunch advocate for teacher retention and pay reformation. In 2021, Benavides was named the Del Valle High School Teacher of the Year, which led to awards for district teacher of the year, regional teacher of the year and the 2022 Texas Teacher of the Year. His educational journey began at UTSA where he says he began to evolve as a student and as a person. “I would not be where I am without my degree from UTSA,” said Benavides. “I tell my students this day in and day out, and this is why I try to send our students to the best university in Texas.”

For as long as he can remember, UTSA was Benavides’ first choice for a college. As a kid from the Valley, he attended summer camps in San Antonio and grew to love the big city. “I always knew that UTSA was the school for me,” he said.

Before arriving at UTSA, Benavides attended UT Brownsville. “I transferred to UTSA in the fall of 1997—one of the best choices I have ever made,” he said. He did not feel like a conventional student in STEM, a sentiment that changed when he cultivated a passion for biology. “Biology is the launching pad for many professions and careers,” said Benavides. “It is essential to have a firm foundation for what you will be doing in the future, and UTSA’s Department of Integrative Biology provides just that.”

Benavides credits two UTSA professors, Aaron Cassill and James P. Chambers, for their influence on his choice to continue his biology degree. “These professors possessed a remarkable gift of engaging their students through lectures, discussions and discoveries based on their enthusiasm for the content they were teaching,” he said. Currently, Chambers, a professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, is leading epidemiology research efforts in his laboratory, and Cassill is continuing to invest in student success in STEM as a professor in the Department of Integrative Biology and associate program director for both the MARC and RISE programs.

Benavides earned his bachelor’s in biology from UTSA in 2001. In 2009, he began teaching science courses in the Ysleta Independent School District, where he continues to teach today. Upon attaining his master’s in teaching science from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2016, Benavides broadened his scope in teaching and

became a adjunct biology professor at El Paso Community College. “My love for teaching biology stems from my time at UTSA,” said Benavides. “Teaching is my passion, and I would not want to be doing anything else.”

Benavides emphasizes the value of interpreting science as a structure of concepts on which life is based and encourages students to do the same. He continually inspires his students to dig deeper and form an understanding of the material they are learning beyond the surface level. “By discovering this, students will be capable of understanding the role of science in society and develop an appreciation of the scientific method,” said Benavides. He discourages the notion that science is meant for an exclusive group of people. “This negative stigma will never lead to the essential increase of diversity within the field,” he said. “It is my truest belief that science can be mastered by the most unexpected of pupils.”

Benavides is currently earning his Ph.D. in educational leadership from Texas Tech University. “My research focuses on the importance of teacher leadership and how it impacts our students,” he said. “This part of my journey has allowed me to embrace my role as a teacher leader to best support all students, especially my Latinx students in science and STEM.”

It is my truest belief that science can be mastered by the most unexpected of pupils.

#ThisIs WhatA Scientist Looks Like

Courtney McMahon

By Gabriela Maldonado

In early 2020, Ph.D. candidate Courtney McMahon’s research quickly adapted to study the neurological effects that a COVID-19 infection can have on a patient. McMahon works in the laboratory of Jenny Hsieh and originally intended to study how the influenza A virus affects fetal brain development, but when neurological symptoms started appearing in patients with COVID-19, she shifted her focus to the consequences of prenatal exposure to COVID-19 on the developing fetal brain. Much remains unknown about COVID-19, but McMahon is using her curiosity and interest in the human brain to answer as many questions as possible.

Originally from Millbrook, New York, McMahon finished her undergraduate career at Marist College in New York and then was commissioned into the U.S. Army Medical Reserve Corps. While in the Army, she took courses on biological warfare defense and worked in an inpatient psychiatric facility. McMahon attributes her interest in the human brain to the experiences she had while working at the inpatient facility. “I wanted to know why these disorders of the brain happened, how our current treatments work and how we could better treat these disorders in the future,” she said.

McMahon earned her master’s in biology from UTSA. She chose the Developmental and Regenerative Sciences Graduate Program (formally Cell and Molecular Biology) at UTSA because it allowed her to combine her passion for infectious diseases and the human brain. She loves that UTSA offers collaborative opportunities between laboratories not only within the university but also with local institutions. “Science needs these kinds of interdisciplinary

relationships to succeed, and we’ve done an amazing job at making them happen,” she said. McMahon also appreciates the strides that UTSA has made to become a top research university, such as hiring word-class faculty to expand the university’s existing research.

McMahon emphasized how important it is for her to remain flexible and open minded as a scientist. “Being flexible and embracing some of the opportunities that appeared during my time as a Ph.D. student has shaped my research and my experience as a scientist for the better,” she said. McMahon is excited to continue working in Hsieh’s laboratory as well as contribute to the field of virology after graduation.

I wanted to know why these disorders of the brain happened, how our current treatments work and how we could better treat those disorders in the future.

Marissa Coppin

By Pelle Munoz

Marissa Coppin is a UTSA Top Scholar and undergraduate researcher pursuing a bachelor’s in neuroscience with a minor in business administration. A San Antonio native, she always had UTSA in her sights. The allure of a full-ride scholarship and an exceptionally close-knit community within the Honors College ultimately led her to enroll at UTSA in 2020. “I was able to explore all that UTSA has to offer in the areas of research and student involvement,” she said. “That made me want this campus to be my home.”

Coppin emphasized UTSA’s practicality and welcoming campus culture as what makes the university different from other institutions. “I like how the campus and classes are centralized, which makes it very easy to go from place to place, especially for first-year students,” she said. “Although I did apply to other prestigious universities, UTSA’s community could not be beat.”

Coppin began her academic career at UTSA as a biology major interested in eventually attending medical school or a Ph.D. program. The time she spent working with Jenny Hsieh, chair of the Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, in her neurobiology lab helped Coppin decide to pursue a Ph.D. “Since a Ph.D. requires specific knowledge, I wanted my education to be specific toward neuroscience,” she said. “I chose a business administration minor for a background that would allow me to work with science corporations and understand how the business is run beyond the science it is founded on.” Coppin noted that the instructors are what make her department most enjoyable and engaging. “I love how these classes are taught by people who have doctoral degrees in neuroscience and who have expertise in research, which also provides great networking opportunities,” she said.

Since starting at UTSA, Coppin has become involved on campus. The Top Scholar organization, a premier scholar program known for recruiting and retaining high-achieving students, helped Coppin prioritize her intellectual curiosity. During her first year, she achieved a leadership position in the Top Scholar Student Organization (TSSO), the Top Scholar program’s internal organization. She currently organizes initiatives to combat students’ stress, and she advocates for mental health support. Coppin is also involved with the San Antonio Clubhouse as part of the Millennium Fellowship, a peer-led mental

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Recently, Coppin received first place in the undergraduate research showcase for her poster presentation “HDAC1 Regulates Neuronal Differentiation.” The project explored histone deacetylases (HDACs) ability to reduce gene expression by removing acetyl groups from histone proteins involved with DNA. The role of HDAC1, one of three genes referred to as HDACs, had been unclear before this study. Observing HDAC1 in either neuronal proliferation or differentiation has the potential to help treat neurological disorders such as epilepsy. Coppin completed the project in collaboration with postdoctoral fellows Vanesa Nieto-Estevez and Gopakumar Changarathil.

Coppin highlights the importance of facing challenges head-on and keeping a positive outlook, especially in the context of her program. “I think neuroscience is such a fascinating field with endless unanswered questions, and the field needs more inquisitive students to answer the meanings of life in the brain,” she said. “Although it’s a challenging program, with the right work ethic and mindset, success will follow.”

Coppin believes that support from the College of Sciences and the Top Scholar program has allowed her to create an enriching experience. “It is absolutely priceless in college to have instant support every step of the way,” she said. “I have been fortunate to be a part of this community.”

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have conducted health and wellness workshops with the members where I teach the link between nutrition and brain health while incorporating some neuroscience,”

Courtney Smith

By Pelle Munoz

Courtney Smith’s fascination with how microbial pathogenesis, immunology and neurobiology intersect is what makes her feel that UTSA’s Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) Ph.D. program is the perfect fit for her.

“I strongly feel that the graduate studies at UTSA can provide me with the education and training needed to obtain and have a successful career in microbiology,” said Smith, a second-year doctoral researcher from Virginia. “UTSA is an institution that excels in producing highly skilled individuals in the methods of both science and education. For this reason, I have explored opportunities at UTSA.”

Smith also appreciates the range of opportunities, financial aid and academic assistance that UTSA offers its students. She admires that UTSA prioritizes student success.

One of Smith’s goals is to become a distinguished member of UTSA’s research enterprise.

“Entering the MMI program at UTSA will not only allow me to master these skills but will also allow me to work side-by-side with a faculty that cultivates the passion, dreams and minds of their students to form admirable researchers.”

Smith chose her program because of the opportunities for collaboration with faculty as well as access to state-of-the-art equipment. The program’s dedication to diversity and inclusion was an influencing factor in her decision.

Smith’s research experience at UTSA began in the lab of Jenny Hsieh, chair of UTSA’s Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology Department and director of the Brain Health Consortium. During Smith’s time in the lab, her duties included performing immunofluorescence of tissue cultures, imaging and data analysis with a focus on gene expression on correlation with epilepsy/seizure presentation. The aim of this research is to identify mechanisms that regulate neuronal renewal and cell fate.

After her completion of a six-month rotation in the Hsieh lab, Smith began research in the lab of Soo Chan Lee, an MMI professor whose research focuses on a wide range of fungi and potential threats to

public health. “I joined Dr. Soo Chan Lee’s lab with the hope of furthering his research as well as learning novel techniques to bridge our knowledge gap in fungal infections of the nervous system.”

Currently, Smith is working on a collaborative project between the two labs. This project aims to determine the mechanism in which commensal fungi, such as Candida, infect the brain in an Alzheimer’s model. In the event that a mechanism is identified, it can be applied across different types of fungi and neurological disorders.

“Using a unique approach in identifying fungal pathology in neurological disorder models, we can enhance our understanding and highlight how fungal species can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease pathology and etiology,” she said.

During her time as a student, Smith received a memorable piece of advice from one of her biology professors: It is OK to fail, and one must be comfortable with that fact. “This has really stuck with me throughout my academic career and personal life,” Smith said. “I am not very good with change or when things do not go according to plan, so this is a daily challenge for me, but I know in my field there will be a lot of failings and shortcomings, so embracing the uncomfortable feeling is crucial to thrive.”

Smith encourages new and prospective students to take initiative and jump at the opportunities that present themselves, no matter how unrelated to the student’s major they may seem. She also stresses the importance of reaching out for help when needed and managing your time wisely.

Smith looks forward to continuing her education at UTSA. “I am excited about furthering my education in research and expanding my knowledge in biology,” she said. “I feel that UTSA’s world-class faculty will help me acquire the knowledge and experience that I need to accomplish my goal of developing expert research techniques and data analysis.”

GIVING

Matching Funds for Maximum Benefit

By Taylor Bird

Achieving Tier One status is just the beginning; we must continue attracting and retaining the best and brightest minds to the College of Sciences. The Semmes Foundation Distinguished Chair in Cell Biology and the Semmes Foundation Distinguished University Chair in Neurobiology—two endowed positions— empower the college to do just that.

“Endowments help to hire and keep great people. They provide a reliable source of funding above what is normally available to help enhance faculty’s ability to do research. Endowments protect funding to be used in a special way,” Pat Semmes explained.

Semmes has witnessed UTSA transform into a Carnegie R1 university, otherwise known as a Tier One research institution. Her first introduction to the College of Sciences was in 1978 as a mathematics professor, a position she held until 1981.

“I take pride in having been there in 1978,” Semmes said.” I see what was; I see what is today; and I think about what it can become in the future. ... We are on a path of greatness.”

Semmes recognized that matching funds—from the state and other philanthropists—provide major incentives for donors to invest in research and endowments.

“Matching funds from the state, like the Texas Research Incentive Program (TRIP), have been an important motivator for philanthropy at UTSA, as well as matching funds from private donors,” she said.

These funds are reinvested in the College of Sciences research enterprise, further funding transformational discoveries and training the next generation of scientists.

“The research [in the college] is important for the future of humanity. It is not one study but the culmination of research over time by many people that leads to breakthroughs,” Semmes said.

In 2020, the Semmes Foundation made a $1 million gift to support graduate students who are training in the College of Sciences Brain Health Consortium to become the next generation of brain health scientists.

“[UTSA brain health scientists] are instilling confidence in students to try something new, to go off on a path that someone has not tried before, to believe in yourself and be unafraid,” Semmes explained. “If you did what everyone else did, then you would get the same results everyone else got, and you wouldn’t have any progress.”

Philanthropic investment in research, like that from the Semmes Foundation, is leveraged for additional funding, allowing UTSA scientists to make life-changing research advancements.

“Donors want to feel like they are making a difference,” said Semmes, “and what better place can they know that than by giving to UTSA.”

To learn more about giving and matching funds or to make a gift, contact Taylor Bird (taylor.bird@utsa.edu) from the College of Sciences development team, or give online at utsa.edu/sciences/giving.

Pat Semmes is an invaluable supporter of the College of Sciences.

Peek Inside the Mesquite Learning Lab

Situated on the western edge of UTSA’s Main Campus—and in the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer, the primary source of water for most of San Antonio—the Mesquite Learning Lab provides an immersive space for UTSA students as well as the public to learn about environmental issues. Bioswale channels, a rain garden and a rain collection cistern help manage stormwater runoff from the surrounding watershed. The Mesquite Learning Lab is the first building of a planned nature area on campus.

BUILDING FEATURES

u The spacious open-concept classroom allows for group investigations and hosts local K-12 students on field trips.

u The screened-in outdoor classroom has an audio-visual system for educators to utilize during lessons.

u An eco-friendly green roof features a layer of vegetation planted over a waterproofing system.

u An outdoor theater offers a venue for open-air presentations.

The Mesquite Learning Lab is designed to engage students in and around the innovative facility.

Illustration is not to

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