Welcome to the SURGe info meeting!

Welcome to SURGeWe are ambassadors who promote

undergraduate research here at UTWe provide you with the connections to help

you get started in the research worldWe foster long-lasting relationships with your

peers and faculty to help each other with research and academic progress

We aim to build an active community of undergraduate researchers on campus

What to ExpectAbsolutely NO DUES!Faculty speakers on

their researchCool lab toursFun community service

eventsHelpful workshopsSuccess in collegeFree food!!

SURGe OfficersPresident – Alyssa KoeterVice President of Outreach – Danielle HoyerVice President of Events – Albert Lee Secretary – Leah RushinTreasurer – Amanda WallaceFaculty Liaison – Tipparat UmrodWebmaster – Briana Gray Fundraising Committee Co-Chairs – Marshall Rucker

and Sara McNallyPublic Relations Co-Chairs – Greg Knauf and Francis

Shue

Amanda Wallace

Major: BiologyYear: JuniorPosition: TreasurerDuties: Apply for funding, keep track of SURGe budget, order

food for meetingsResearch Experience: NoneSURGe Past: I’ve been with SURGe since my freshman year, and

last year I was PR Co-chair alongside our glorious VP of Outreach, Danielle.

About Me: I like football and reading and crocheting and dogs and tea and baking and long, poorly punctuated run-on sentences.

Danielle Hoyer Major: Public Health Year: Junior Officer Position: Vice President of Outreach Officer Duties: I am in charge of coordinating all committee events with

particular emphasis on all community service and outreach events. I also work with the President and other VP to plan and coordinate SURGe events.

SURGe Past: I joined SURGe my freshman year after learning about it at freshman orientation. It was a great way to meet new people while also learning about topics I love. I actively volunteered at many events like Longhorn Halloween and the ESI talks. Its great to have all ages become interested in science! I also can be found at the greenhouse every Friday for the plant sales, its a great place to relax and fundraise at the same time!

Research Experience: I was a part of the Aptamer stream in the FRI program under Dr. Ellington. I worked in this lab and pursued an independent project through the fall of my sophomore year. I am currently not working in a research lab, but am looking forward to applying to Public health internships before grad school.

About Me: I am pretty nerdy/geeky when it comes to science. I have a bunch of nerdy science shirts that I love to wear and I am a dedicated Big Bang Theory fan. In my free time I (still) enjoy playing Pokemon on my Gameboy Color. I am an animal lover and I have two wonderful Golden Retrievers back home in San Antonio. My music tastes vary widely from week to week, you are just as likely to hear me listening to top 40 as classical, country, or alternative types. If I’m not studying you can probably find me curled up with a good book and my iPod.

Leah Rushin Major: Neurobiology Year: Junior Position: Secretary Duties: I send out emails for upcoming

meetings/events, maintain the member point system, and reply to people’s emails.

Research Experience: None… yet! SURGe Past: I’ve been a member of SURGe

since fall of 2012! About Me: I enjoy learning about the brain and

how neural connections correlate to everyday   actions. I have a huge interest in music and play many instruments! In the future I plan to study musical and addiction recovery therapy. I also study the German language and Germanic culture. I put my all into my passions and I am very excited to be a part of SURGe!

Alyssa Koeter Major: Public Health Year: 3rd Year Position: President Duties: I serve as the main representative and

figurehead of SURGe, working for the best interest of the organization and its members. I construct the framework of which all our activities are centered around, and make the organization run smoothly along with the help of the officers and our dedicated members.

Research Experience: I was part of the Freshman Research Initiative and Aptamer stream during the spring of 2012.

SURGe Past: I have been part of SURGe for the past two years and have been very involved in it. I was treasurer during the spring of 2013, and I’ve been a committee member of FRC and PRC in the past.

About Me: I love football, UT, reading sci-fi books, and pandas. In addition to being a member of SURGe, I am part of Texas APO (we run the really big Texas flag at football games!) and Army ROTC.

Albert Lee Major: Undeclared Year: 2nd year Position: Vice President of Events Duties: I am responsible for organizing our monthly lab tours and

university-wide research promotion events such as ROADS to Research in the Fall and SURF in the Spring. Let me know if you guys have any ideas on how we can improve what we’ve done in the past. Of course our aim is to provide substance, but it’s always better if we can make it fun for you guys.

Research Experience: I currently research antibiotics under Dr. Gregory Palmer and Dr. Marvin Whiteley. My previous experience includes research on the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and cancer, which I did under Dr. Yidong Bai at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.

SURGe Past: I’ve been in SURGe for a year now, so this is my first officer position. I generally help out with FRC but I’ll sometimes lend a hand elsewhere.

About Me: I’m a dryly sarcastic nerd. I’m a nerd because I was raised by an oversized team of overweight bureaucrats. And due to the oversight of those overweight bureaucrats, I was bitten by an over-radiated pigeon. That should have killed me, but instead it somehow gave me venomous sarcasm glands. That’s where the dry sarcasm comes from. I use this power of sarcasm as a comic artist for the Daily Texan. When I’m not trying to look busy doing science or comics, I spite overweight bureaucrats by wasting my productivity on video games, the internet, piano music and sleeping. And if I’m not doing any of the above then I’m probably socializing (gasp! Nerds socialize?!) with anyone who isn’t an overweight bureaucrat.

Tipparat Umrod Major: Medical Laboratory Science Year: Sophomore Position: Faculty Liaison Duties: Basically, my job is to look for a speaker, who usually

is a professor or a researcher at UT. I invite them to come and be a part of SURGe meeting. SURGe has speakers come at least once a month. It is important to have researchers in varies fields to come and to talk about their experience. SURGe is a place to explore the science research world.

Research Experience: Currently, I’m working in Dr. Jones’ lab, which focuses on neurobiology of learning and memory and neural plasticity after stroke.

SURGe Past: I have been a SURGe member since my first semester in college (Fall 2012), and have been helping SURGe in many events, like Longhorn Halloween, UT Explore, and Forty Acre Fest. I am also a part of Web Development Committee, which updating and maintaining the SURGe website. I attend almost all of the SURGe meetings, socials, and events.

About Me: Most people just called me “Tipp,” a short version of my name. I come from Thailand but don’t worry I’m getting better at speaking English. I love eating, cooking, reading, and sleeping. Despite the fact that I love horror/thriller movies, I still cannot watch them alone. My favorites are The Eye (Original version), The Shutter, Phobia, and The Sixth Sense. Other than surfing the web, I watch anime, especially Case Closed (aka Detective Conan) that is now airing its 695th episode. For music, I like rock/indie/pop. Michael Buble, Jason Mraz, Vampire weekend, Tegan and Sara are among my favorites.

Briana GrayMajor: Computer Science with BDP

in Digital Arts and MediaYear: JuniorPosition: WebmasterDuties: I update the website and run

the WebDev Committee.Research Experience: None yetSURGe Past: I joined my sophomore

year and have been here ever since.About Me: I love video games,

romantic comedies, and all kids of music. Recently, I have had an obsession with Zedd and BBC’s Sherlock. And of course, I like SURGe too : )

Marshall Rucker Major: Human Biology w/ specialization in Pathogenesis and Immunity Year: Junior Position: Fundraising Committee Co-chair Duties: I am in charge of raising money for SURGe to maintain the no-dues

nature of SURGe and provide funds for our endeavors by having weekly plant sales and selling t-shirts at the meetings.

Research Experience: Currently working in the Jones Lab as an undergraduate research assistant.

SURGe Past: I have been involved with SURGe and the Fundraising committee since my freshman year.

About Me: I love to read, eat, sleep, play video games, and relax when I have time off. Also, I like to cook and spend time with family.

Sara McNally Major: Biology Pre-Veterinary Year: 3rd Year Position: Fundraising Committee Co-Chair Duties: To raise money for SURGe by having weekly plant sales, selling

t-shirts at weekly meetings, and by whatever other avenues available. Additionally we are in charge of caring for the greenhouse and its plants to ensure SURGe will have a means to raise funds in the future. We organize

Research Experience: I have worked under Dr. Theresa Jones since Spring 2012 studying neural plasticity and the neurobiology of learning and memory after brain damage. Using model organisms we study animal behavior to better understand the neural mechanisms of behavioral compensation for brain damage and attempt to focus on motor rehabilitation.

SURGe Past: I signed up for the SURGe mailing list during my freshman orientation, showed up the first Friday meeting, and I’ve been here ever since! I was the most active member my freshman year, attending every weekly meeting and FRC meeting, and the next year I was one of the fundraising committee chairs! I’ve loved the role and I look forward to continuing!

About Me: I’m pretty weird. Well, no, I’m actually really weird. I like rainbows and Pokémon and running. I’m an actual five year old and I like to play in the dirt and sweat and eat my weight in crummy Chinese buffets. There’s little I don’t like actually! I like every color, every genre of music, every type of food, the list goes on. I have a pet dog and a bunny, as well as a younger brother and sister, and I’ve been working at a vet clinic for about three years now! Come talk to me!

Greg Knauf Major: Microbiology Year: Junior Position: Public Relations Committee Co-chair Duties: My job, along with my compatriot

Francis Shue, is to spread the word about SURGe and to make sure that there is no Natural Science major on this campus who has not been handed a flyer that was hand-crafted by the Public Relations committee. We also like to make sure that everyone knows where to buy plants on Fridays, an end often achieved with copious amounts of chalk and quarter flyers.

Research Experience: I am currently conducting research on nosocomial pathogens, specifically Acinetobacter baumannii’s resistance to biocides and antibiotics.

SURGe Past: This is my second year in SURGe, and my first year as an officer.

About Me: Things I enjoy science, sports, video games, board games, Dr. Who, Psych, and outdoor activities.

Francis Shue Major: Cell and Molecular Biology Year: Junior Position: Public Relations Committee Co-Chair Duties: My job is to work with Greg Knauf to design, print,

distribute, and post flyers all around campus! Yay flyers! Research Experience: I am currently part of the Drew

Lab. I used to work under Dr. Swan, but I’m now just a research assistant. I do studies on neurogenesis and development. I’m looking forward to not being laid off since the post doc I work under left her position.

SURGe Past: I joined my freshman year, but I never really showed up. I started getting more involved last year and… BAM! PR! Huzzah!

About Me: If you were to describe me as one word… Quirky. I’m an published author, novelist, researcher, scientist, voice actor, musician, cosplayer, gamer, nerd, and otaku. If you want to talk to me about anime, manga, D&D, etc. WE CAN BE BEST FRIENDS. I welcome oddity with open arms, just come talk to me! Also I’m an INTJ personality if anyone likes that.

Fundraising CommitteeWe raise money to provide funding for our

organization and to keep SURGe dues freePlant salesT-shirt salesProfit shares

Weekly MeetingsPainter GreenhouseMondays 5-6pm

Plant SalesIn PAI greenhouse most Fridays from 10am-

4pmWest Mall sales the first Friday of every

month from 10am-3:30pm

SURGe Camping!

Public Relations CommitteeWe are the face of SURGe

and work to spread awareness for undergraduate research across the communityDesign and distribute flyersCoordinate fun activities for

volunteer eventsReach out to

undergraduates and other student organizations

Update students on SURGe activities

Weekly MeetingsWednesdays 5-6pmLocation TBA

Volunteer Events

Longhorn Halloween 2012!

Webdev CommitteeWe work to promote the image of SURGe

through the most popular media form: the internetUpdate the SURGe website Learn how to use Wordpress

Weekly Meetings5-6pm every other Monday starting next weekUTC 3.120

Active Member Point SystemCheck our website to keep track of your pointsRewards

Active Membership = 10 points/semester Camping priority

Level 1 = 15 points $4 plant coupon

Level 2 = 30 points Free t-shirt

Level 3 = 60 points Can apply for fellowship

Lab coat = 60 points + lab positionMake sure to sign in/swipe in at each meeting to get

points!

Member Points SystemGeneral Meetings – 1 pointSocial Events – 1 pointLab Tours – 1 pointCommittee Meetings – 1 point/committee Fundraising – 1 point/hrVolunteer Events – 1 point/hr

Spotlight on ResearchExperimental Compound Reverses

Down Syndrome-Like Learning Deficits in MiceMost people with Down syndrome

have a cerebellum that’s about 60% of the normal size

Compound triggers growth and development

Injected into mice on the day of birthNext stage: research why the

treatment works, make safe for human trials

Learn more at sciencedaily.com

Upcoming EventsNext Week’s Meeting

Dr. Michael Rose will speak about solar fuels: the study of using sunlight to generate chemical fuels

Football ushering next weekend

Upcoming EventsWhiteley Lab Tour

Molecular Genetics and Microbiology

Bacterial physiologyTime: 3-4pm (meet at

2:45pm)Location: meet outside of

the BIO buildingSign up:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5Y59XGQ

Learn More: http://www.icmb.utexas.edu/cmb/directory/details.asp?id=2858

After the MeetingWe will be selling t-shirts up frontCome talk to the officers; we would love to

get to know all of you!Pizza and drinks!!