Lila Rojo Mentor – Dr. Thomas Gil Lila Rojo was born in Ruidoso, New Mexico where she attended school up to second grade and later attended school in Mexico to learn Spanish.  She completed her middle and high school years in El Paso, Texas.  Lila later moved to San Antonio and Dallas, Texas to pursue a career as a District Manager in the Air Freight industry.  She returned to El Paso to resume her studies at the University of Texas at El Paso.  She received a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master’s in Biomechanics. She worked in the Manufacturing Industry as a Quality and Safety Engineer for 8 years before returning to the University of Texas at El Paso where she is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in Environmental Science and Engineering under the guidance of Dr. Gill.  Her research interests include dust storms and their effects on public health and the environment and particle size and chemical composition of aeolian dust.  Her main objectives are to serve as a mentor for middle and high school students and persuade them to stay in school and learn more about science.  Expected graduation date is July 2009.

John Olgin Mentor: Dr. Bridget Smith-Konter Resume Born and raised in El Paso, John Olgin attained his Bachelors and Masters degree in physics, focusing on astrophysical research in extrasolar planetary systems.  In 2006, he was lecturer for the Physics Department at the University of Texas at El Paso, teaching introductory astronomy, physics instructor for the Medical Professional Organization MCAT class and began as a physics instructor at the El Paso Community College.  In 2007, he interned for the Royal Dutch Shell Oil company on a CO2 sequestration project, and began his doctorate studies in geophysics at UTEP.  Today, he conducts research in planetary science with Dr. Bridget Konter, is part of the PATHWAYS and AGEP fellowships and plans to graduate in 2010.