Rotary to send HRI researcher to Spain
HRI Research Specialsit Suraida Nanez-James, former TAMU-CC MS sudent and future PhD student, was chosen out of 29 applicants to be one of the four non-Rotarian team members for the 2008 Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team going to Spain April 26- May 26, 2008. The Rotary GSE is for young professionals who want to enhance their international perspective, have an interest in people of other cultures, and who are classified as rising leaders in their community and profession. Suraida will spend a month visiting local businesses, government offices and community organizations in the host district, tour historical and cultural sites, stay with Rotarian host families, and make presentations about her home and professional life in the U.S.

The Coastal Bend Community Foundation (CBCF) has granted a partial award to the Harte Research Institute to give high school students the opportunity to work side-by-side with HRI researches in the field and in the lab this summer.
   HRI has been the primary post-secondary education partner with the Innovation Academy for Engineering, Environmental and Marine Science at Moody High School since the fall 2006. HRI’s role has been to mentor and guide teachers and students in the Academy.

Last summer HRI's Dr. Wes Tunnell, Sandra Arismendez and Suraida Nanez-James prepared and submitted a grant proposal to the CBCF for funding to support a summer student internship program at HRI to further enhance the students' research experience.
   The goal of the internship program is to provide the student an opportunity to experience the life of a scientist for a summer and use the experience to fulfill the Capstone Project requirement for graduation. The CBCF grant will help to fulfill this goal. Although plans are still in progress, HRI will host two-to-four students on a part-time basis this summer for a four-to-six week paid internship.