Sul Ross State University

News Release for April 2, 2008

SUL ROSS GRAD KELLYE ACUFF PRESENTS NASA INTERNSHIP RESEARCH

By Jason Hennington, News Writer

Sul Ross State University graduate Kellye Acuff, Odessa, discussed her NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) summer internship experiences during a March 24 presentation.

Acuff, who received a Bachelor's degree in Geology in 2007, discussed her research -- measuring the concentrations of the trace elements phosphorus and molybdenum in samples representing Earth's core (iron) and Earth's mantle. She was selected to the 10-week NASA Summer Intern Program at Houston's Johnson Space Center. While there, she experienced an actual research environment, learned from top-notch planetary scientists and previewed a career in research.

"It taught me how to work in an environment with different people," Acuff said. "It's worth putting forth the effort to learn. It's encouraged me to try for bigger and better things."

Currently, Acuff works in Midland for Suttles Logging as a mud logger in the oil field. She was asked by Sul Ross faculty members Dr. Julius Dasch and Dr. David Rohr to return and present her NASA research and experiences.

"The Lunar and Planetary Science Internship is a huge boost to her career," Dasch said. "In addition to working with a good number of cutting-edge lunar scientists, she was a hit with her supervisors, such that they will offer her a job doing laboratory analytical work in the same NASA Johnson Space Center laboratory where the Apollo moon rocks are housed."

Acuff presented her research to a group of scientists who researched in the same field at the conclusion of her internship. She repeated the presentation to a Sul Ross audience.

"The reaction from the scientists was good because that's what they had been working on," she said. Acuff's presentation, "Partitioning of Phosphorus and Molybdenum between the Earth's Mantle and Core," began with photos of the lab she worked in at the Johnson Space Center. After describing the equipment and the goal of the research, Acuff explained the main focus of her research. She explained how samples were assembled and made while one of her samples was passed around the room.

Acuff also discussed procedures and the effects they had on her research. She showed and explained charts to support her work.

"We must have done something right," she said, regarding the accuracy of her research.

At the end of her presentation, she opened the floor for questions and comments.

"The work she did, as described in her talk, dealt with measuring the concentrations of the trace elements phosphorus and molybdenum in samples representing Earth's core (iron) and Earth's mantle, the Knippa Basalt, which comes from a quarry for road materials, along Highway 90, between Del Rio and San Antonio," Dasch said.

Dasch then had Acuff draw a diagram on the board and then discussed the research in more depth. Acuff feels she may have educated him slightly.

"That's Dr. Dasch's field, and he's interested in that," Acuff said. "It's hard to educate somebody as smart as him."

Acuff was asked, "Do you think the world is a better place since this research was done?"

Yes, in a scientific aspect, Acuff answered.

"This internship opens your eyes to more. I learned more in one summer with this intern," Acuff said. "I feel like I accomplished something. This is probably the best thing I've ever done."

Acuff wants to return and work for NASA, and encouraged interested students to apply for internships because of the experience gained.

"I hope I've encouraged people to try for stuff like this," she said. "This was an awesome experience."

Dasch said Acuff was the most successful student in his Rocket Science class, and she is the first recipient of the Julius Dasch Undergraduate Award.

"Having other undergraduates inspired by seeing what can be done in a summer's work was probably the most important outcome of her talk, in my opinion," Dasch said. "For Kellye and the other interns, the opportunity to learn to work with state-of-the-art analytical equipment, and to discuss the work's significance with top scientists, is incalculable."

Acuff hopes that her internship will lead to a job with NASA. She is a candidate for a scholarship from NASA to attend Rice University to complete her Master's degree.

ANNUAL SUL ROSS SPRING CAREER FAIR APRIL 8

The Career Life Center at Sul Ross State University will host its annual Spring Career Fair Tuesday, April 8.

The fair, featuring a wide range of companies from Texas and surrounding states, will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Espino Conference Center, located on the second floor of the University Center. Refreshments will be provided, and visitors may register for door prizes, to be distributed at the end of the fair.

Visitors will be able to investigate job markets, ask recruiters questions, explore different business resources or apply for available positions. Appropriate business attire is recommended.

The Career Life Center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Joyce Sesters, (432) 837-8178.

TEACHER JOB FAIR APRIL 23 AT SUL ROSS

The Sul Ross State University Education Department will host the annual Job Fair for Teachers Wednesday, April 23 in the University Center.

Representatives from school districts around the state will be available to meet with Sul Ross students and area teachers from 9 a.m.-noon in the Espino Conference Center. Anyone interested in teaching opportunities is welcome to attend.

For more information, contact Dr. Tyra Manning, (432) 837-8170 or tmanning@sulross.edu.

GRADUATE EXHIBIT BY JESSICA MORGAN CONTINUES THROUGH APRIL 11 AT SUL ROSS

"Bloodlines," a Master of Arts exhibition by Sul Ross State University graduate student Jessica Morgan, Brownsville, will continue through April 11 in the Main Gallery, Francois Fine Arts Building.

A closing reception will be held Friday, April 11, 6-8 p.m. There is no admission and the public is invited. "Bloodlines" is a series of graduate-level images which contain cultural myths along with Chicano, both personal and historic, imagery synthesizing two popular creative artistic movements commonly referred to as "Fantasy" and "Realism."

The three basic elements of Spirit, History, and Art are incorporated and encompasses these concepts. Over the years, these concepts have been a significant influence upon Morgan's life, and a source of profound inspiration within her artworks.

Morgan's subjects are intimate ones, and include self-portraits, her marriage and family, and her friends. She intentionally chose the portable versatility of pastels, the flexibility of oils, and the cleanliness of ink for her works.

"Even though black and white is starkly suggestive, the availability of a vast palette of color is truly advantageous," she said.

PIANO RECITAL APRIL 3 IN MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Dr. Brad Nix, a faculty member at Sterling (Kanas) College will present a piano recital Thursday, April 3, at Sul Ross State Univeristy.

Nix will perform the music of Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Liszt and Gershwin at 7:30 p.m. in Marshall Auditorium. There is no admission charge and the public is invited.

Nix will present a lecture on piano pedagogy at 9 a.m. Friday, April 4, in Francois Fine Arts Building, Room 200 (Choir Room).

For more information, contact Dr. Justin Badgerow, (4323) 837-8222 or jbadgerow@sulross.edu.