​G.E.M. Environmental is excited to share another new addition to our monthly blog series - Science Stories. Each month, we interview a STEM scholar, student, or community member and ask them things like why they believe the STEM fields are important, how they got started in their field, to what they would do if they hit the jackpot. We hope that our new blog series will inspire, introduce a variety of fields, and create new conversations.

​March is Women’s History Month, and to celebrate we are introducing you to Erin Hickson. Erin grew up in south Phoenix, AZ. She went to Northern Arizona University, then transferred to The University of Arizona where she graduated with a degree in Microbiology and a minor in Chemistry. 

Erin is a Forensic Scientist and Certified Forensic Artist for the Phoenix Police Department Crime Laboratory, as well as an adjunct professor in Comparative Forensics at Arizona State University West. She started her career with the Phoenix PD as a 9-1-1 Communications Operator and Radio Dispatcher, but soon after she transferred to the Crime Lab as a Laboratory Technician in the Toxicology Section. Erin was then promoted to Forensic Scientist in that section. She transferred to the Firearms Section of the laboratory in 2009 and has worked as a Forensic Scientist in there since. She has been teaching since Fall of last year and she absolutely loves it! Her career as a Forensic Artist started 7 years ago and she has done drawings for Scottsdale PD, Tempe PD, Glendale PD, Phoenix PD, MCSO and she is set to be the next reconstruction artist for the Maricopa County Medical Examiner when their current artist retires.

Why do you believe that the STEM fields are important?
STEM covers so many subjects, that there is something for everyone. There are also endless job opportunities for anyone that pursues STEM fields.

How and why did you get involved in the STEM fields?
I loved science from the first time I was exposed to it. I was truly interested in the Biology side and then realized that I also loved math. I don't think it was one person or one thing that got me interested in it. It just caught my interest and I pursued it. I did not know about the field of Forensic Science or Forensic Art, but, once I learned about them, I knew they were the fields for me! I could use everything I love about science and apply them to both.

Can you describe another aspect of your life or career that is influenced or enriched by the STEM fields that people would find surprising?
I think people see Forensic Art as purely art. They don't think of it being connected to science. In fact, there is a lot of science that goes in to creating a face whether it is a composite or a reconstruction. Forensic Art utilizes knowledge in the fields of Anthropology, Osteology and Anatomy.

Photo- "Aging From Meth" Erin Hickson

What inspires you in your current position/role?
My inspiration is helping people. That is my passion. It is even more rewarding to be able to help others while using my knowledge in my favorite subject, science. I help people in all of my positions as a Forensic Scientist, Forensic Artist and professor.

What work experiences (past or present) have been the most educational for you, and why?
I would honestly say that I learn something on almost every case that I work. I learn about new parts of firearms that have a specific function. I learn about new ammunition on the market. I learn that I excel in new areas. I learn new or improved interview techniques and drawing techniques with every forensic drawing.

What is something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
I enjoy singing karaoke and once won cash in a karaoke contest. I am also the one that brings my four year old daughter's dolls to life by giving them voices. Elmo is her favorite.

I also started the AZ Forensic Artists Association. When I got started in Forensic Art, I realized that there was no working group for the various forensic artists around the state. Now we have over a dozen artists around the state that work together in helping agencies in Arizona.

You won $10 million in the lotto. What would you do?
I would pay off all my & my husband's debt, set up an account for my daughter, pay off my parent's debt and set up a community for homeless vets. The community would entail tiny houses, a cafeteria, a mental health facility, counselors and a job placement facility. It would help them get the help they need to be either self-sustaining or get them into a facility for mental health.

​Erin Hickson is a great example of the impact women make in STEM fields. Thank you Erin for paving the way for young women around the world. 

To learn more about Erin and what she does check out the following links:
https://www.facebook.com/azforart/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-hickson-5b25a623/

We are proud to announce our newest recipient of the GEM Environmental College Success Scholarship Award, Amy Effenberger.

Amy is from Las Vegas, Nevada. She enjoys swimming, bowling, and reading as often as she can. She currently runs an advocacy blog for inflammatory bowel disease. She has been doing this since the beginning of February 2020, and feels it is important to shed a light on invisible illnesses and teach others about them. It is found at bowelbee.weebly.com.

"I value a STEM education because it’s the future and we need to be able to advance the future."- Amy Effenberger

Amy is a first generation student who plans to use her scholarship towards paying off her student loans. Congratulations Amy! 

G.E.M. Environmental is excited to share another new addition to our monthly blog series - Science Stories. Each month, we interview a STEM scholar, student, or community member and ask them things like why they believe the STEM fields are important, how they got started in their field, to what they would do if they hit the jackpot. We hope that our new blog series will inspire, introduce a variety of fields, and create new conversations.

In honor of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we have a special guest Joelle Acton. Joelle grew up in Gilbert, AZ and attended ASU as a pre-vet major. She graduated from ASU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology and Restoration. She changed her focus after finding out about the Wildlife Program. Some of her best memories, and friends, were made in the program; being out in the wilderness camping, collecting data, and enjoying the outdoors. She took both Wildlife and Range classes having support and encouragement from her professors to do both and to get her foot in the federal door. During school she was working part time with the Forest Service as a Range Technician, working all over Arizona and assisting many resource aspects along the way. 

Joelle moved to Kingman, AZ to take a job with the University of Arizona as a Range Technician for the BLM, where she was eager to learn and take on any job required. This landed her a permanent job as a Rangeland Management Specialist (RMS) with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). During her time as an RMS, she met her wonderful husband Jake and ended up with the most amazing son. She worked as an RMS for 3 years until taking over the Wildlife Biologist position, which has always been her goal career. Wildlife Biology has been her most rewarding and frustrating career, but she feels it is meaningful, and she is doing her part in the world.

Why do you believe that the STEM fields are important? 
STEM fields are very important, because I think they are fields that are overlooked and downgraded due to the discovery and changes of new information. STEM is forward thinking, and that scares a lot of people. Knowledge is power, and people tend to fear what they don't know or understand. STEM fields encourage people to step out of their comfort zone and ask questions that need to be asked. The physical world is surrounded by STEM and constant changes. It's important to be aware of these changes and move with them, instead of against them.

How and why did you get involved in the STEM fields?
Ironically, I was more interested in being a veterinarian during my schooling. I was concerned about the environment, but I didn't really have an understanding for it. Growing up I had always been an animal lover, so I knew no matter what, I'd do something with animals. Working at an emergency clinic for animals eventually turned me away from being a vet. I enrolled in the wildlife program hoping to get a better understanding of what I wanted to do the rest of my life. It wasn't until we started taking field trips to go collect data on wildlife that I found my calling. Bat mist netting, tagging waterfowl, collaring large game species, species counts, hiking, kayaking, and camping out in the wilderness. Wait! I can get paid to do all this stuff! Done and over with. I was going to be a wildlife biologist.

Can you describe another aspect of your life or career that is influenced or enriched by the STEM fields that people would find surprising?
I think when a lot of people hear "wildlife biologist", they think I am out there tied to a tree or holding a sign and telling people what they can and can't do. Although I am a huge advocate of protecting every species I can, I am also conscious of the real world and real-life problems. As a federal employee, I work for the public and public lands. I encourage the use of public lands, as there are so many opportunities for the public to enjoy. There are aspects to public uses that I may not like, but I find necessary. I also understand that there are people out there that abuse the lands too, which is why we have specialists to help regulate use. My resource value is to be the voice for the wildlife and environment, not to discourage people from being a part of that world.

What inspires you in your current position/role?
What inspires me most is knowing that what I do, does affect the physical world. I may not be making large strides, but those small steps add up. I feel good after working on a project knowing I put my best effort towards protecting the environment and making compromises that work for both proponents. I'm also inspired by the youth that I give wildlife talks to locally. We do our best to encourage getting outside and learning about our world. Yearly hikes with some of the schools and watching the kids get excited about the animals and plants. It opens their eyes to this world they have never seen. Knowing that I have made that impact (as minimal as it may be) on their lives, really inspires me.

Have you ever participated in an internship?
My first internship in my field was working for Game and Fish with the Sonoran Pronghorn down in Ajo, AZ. It involved mostly scoping for the animals daily, but it was the foundation to most of my skills today. The job encouraged me to stay in shape (as a lot of hiking is required), how to prepare for the field (the desert is hot and dangerous), how to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle off road. These skills are very important to have as much of our field work consists of hiking and off-road travel. I also learned to be quite self-sufficient and I was away from home for 3 months in a different town.

What work experiences have been the most educational for you, and why?
My current role as a wildlife biologist is constantly educational as there is so much to learn in a single ecosystem and everything is always changing. New situations are always a challenge, but better me as a biologist. Working with different resources gives me an aspect in each field, which in turn helps me get an understanding on how to do my job the best I can, for all proponents involved.

What project(s) are you currently working on?
The fun and difficult part of being a wildlife biologist, is that I not only have my projects to work on, but everyone else's. I'm currently assisting our range program, lands, recreation, fire and minerals. One of my projects I am preparing for is inventory of some of our riparian systems as they are some of our most sensitive resources. Last year entailed a two-night backpacking trip to take photos and inventory vegetation and wildlife species to access the condition of the river. This is a yearly trip down different river systems, but by far one of my favorites.

What is something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
My husband and I are complete opposites. He does concrete and that usually entails clearing and removing and I am the biologist which entails leaving things in its pristine condition. When we were first dating, he came to my house to help with yard work. He showed up with a small dozer, you know, to clear everything. I made him avoid every native plant that I could. He was so frustrated with me that day. In fact, I was sure he was regretting his decision to be dating me. 5 years later, we are still in love and he can even name those very plants that I made him avoid. Our opposites have very much opened our eyes and have made us both better people.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?
Probably when my son put his butt on me and made farting noises. He's 3, and a boy, and it was hilarious.

You won $10 million in the lotto. What would you do?
We would first pay off some debts and secure a fund for our son to go to college. Probably invest and set money aside to do things like travel. Make sure our parents were taken care of. Donate, but we prefer to donate locally and within the community. Occasionally we donate to outside sources, after doing the research. I would not quit my job though as I have mentioned before, my career gives me great fulfillment. I would, however, consider other wildlife jobs that required me to travel to unique places, since income wouldn’t be an issue.

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER HELPFUL LINKS FOR INFORMATION ON WOMEN IN SCIENCE:
https://www.collegeraptor.com/find-colleges/articles/college-majors-minors/7-organizations-working-to-promote-women-in-stem/
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https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2018/02/celebrating-women-science

​We are proud to announce our newest recipient of the GEM Environmental Undergraduate Scholarship Award, Menelik James.

Menelik James is a Chemical Engineering senior who attends Prairie View A&M University located near Houston, Texas. He has a passion for environmental research with a focus on water treatment and renewable energy applications.

Menelik has conducted non-equilibrium plasma applications for water purification at the NASA Glenn Research Center, membrane and thin film research at his home institution, microporous polymer synthesis and development for carbon dioxide capture and separation from post-combustion flue gas at a U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory, and most recently hydrogen peroxide powered fuel cell research at Stanford University.

His primary research and career goal is to develop and deploy mature water treatment technologies at scale and in a cost-effective manner to developing nations. Aside from research Menelik enjoys cooking, attending live music shows, and skydiving.

​“I value STEM education because it serves as an opportunity to expose minority youth to exciting fields of study and potential career paths that were previously unknown to them. As a member of the collegiate 100 Black Men, I’m a mentor in our high school mentee program serving underprivileged youth in the greater Houston Area. Communicating my experiences as a 2nd generation Jamaican American, advising them on the college application process, various funding opportunities, and introducing them to STEM research are the primary ways I engage the youth. Inviting professors from my university and distinguished alumna to come speak with the mentees is an essential component of the mentorship process.”

​Menelik’s choice to pursue an environmental engineering Ph.D. stems from his desire to develop innovative water and sanitation (W&S) technologies that will improve humanity’s quality of life but also preserve and protect the planet. The primary focus of protecting humans from adverse environmental effects, such as pollution and improving environmental quality by advancing recycling, waste disposal, public health, and other green practices is critical for the survival and health of planet earth and the life it supports.

Environmental engineering’s focus meshes seamlessly with his desire to serve humanity by engaging in efforts toward providing solutions for issues like sanitation and wastewater purification to developing countries. As an engineer, he hope to engage in research and development efforts toward innovative technologies that can address emerging contaminants such as Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water treatment plant effluent and improving the long-term safety of engineered water sources.

​Menelik plans to gain valuable hands-on lab research experience that will allow him to contribute to innovative solutions. Following the completion of graduate school, his long-term goal is to become a professor. By being a professor of environmental engineering, he hopes to serve humanity by solving technical water research issues. It is his aspiration to educate future scientists and engineers about complex problems facing humanity such as clean water scarcities, population growth, and climate change.

To learn more about Menelik James check out:
www.linkedin.com/in/menelik-james

​G.E.M. Environmental is excited to share another new addition to our monthly blog series - Science Stories. Each month, we interview a STEM scholar, student, or community member and ask them things like why they believe the STEM fields are important, how they got started in their field, to what they would do if they hit the jackpot. We hope that our new blog series will inspire, introduce a variety of fields, and create new conversations.

This month our guest is Al Muense. Al is a native New Yorker who received his B.A. and M.S. degrees from Long Island University. After a one-year internship he took the registry exam and became a registered Medical Technologist with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, MT(ASCP). His career began as Clinical Chemistry Lab Manager in a 300-bed hospital while he was doing his graduate research. This was an exciting time in laboratory methodologies. New protocols were being developed and the clinical laboratory was quickly becoming automated. Seeing this, Al decided to take his career in a new direction and took a job as a Field Applications Chemist with Beckman Instruments, Inc., a leading manufacturer of analytical instrumentation for clinical, bioresearch, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and industrial research. His career path with Beckman also included management positions in sales and marketing. Upon retirement he felt a void and knew something was missing. He wondered how he could be involved in some way with science once again. He followed his passion and is currently teaching Chemistry and Integrated Science at Tri-City College Preparatory High School in Prescott, AZ.

Why do you believe that the STEM fields are important?
I may be biased, but I feel that STEM fields are perhaps the most significant contributors to improving the health and quality of life. If one were to stop for a moment and look around at all in their environment that is the product of the various STEM fields, and then try to imagine life with them they would be amazed. If one were to have a life-threatening health issue and was hospitalized, they would quickly realize that, if not for STEM sciences, their chances of survival would be greatly decreased. STEM fields also give us our biggest hope for the future. We live on a kind planet in a hostile universe. Relatively speaking, the air we breathe is a mere sliver covering the earth. The number of animal species we share this planet with is declining. There is a finite number of atoms of all the elements of the Periodic Table. However, our population is growing! Keeping everything in balance to ensure all forms of life in the future is going to fall on the success of future STEM discoveries and the subsequent education of the populace of any need for changes in social policy.

How and why did you get involved in the STEM fields? 
I must thank my parents for getting involved in the STEM fields. They felt that science was the future and at an early age guided me in that direction. My favorite toys as a child were educational, though to me they were also fun. I had an Erector Set, a Chemistry Set, a Microscope Set, an Electrical Projects Set, and Electric Trains to name a few. My dad was equally interested in these subjects and was most helpful keeping my interest in them. One of my favorite subjects in graduate school was Biochemistry. This one subject seemed to tie all of the other life sciences together for me.

Can you describe another aspect of your life or career that is influenced or enriched by the STEM fields that people would find surprising?
When reminiscing about my career I can truly understand how STEM may have saved me from an untimely death and subsequently opened the door to many opportunities in my professional life. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I became eligible to be drafted into the Army to go and fight in Viet Nam. I did not know it at the time but when I appealed my draft status with the Draft Board, my internship in the hospital medical technology program was grounds for a continued deferment. Towards the end of my internship they went to a draft lottery system. I drew a very high number and was virtually guaranteed that I would not be drafted. I wasn’t drafted and the war ended. But STEM kept on giving. The field that I was in qualified me to apply for a grant for my graduate education. I received the grant and was able to earn my M.S. degree at no cost to me.

What inspires you in your current position/role?
I am currently teaching Chemistry and Integrated Science at Tri-City College Preparatory High School. What inspires me most is when I can get students excited about the subject and when they have those moments when everything that seemed so complex now comes together. My personal goal in this position is to get more students interested in STEM fields. We need them now and in the future.

Have you ever participated in an internship?
I did a one-year internship in a hospital laboratory. During this year I rotated through the different departments in Pathology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Hematology, Blood Band and Serology and Histology. This internship qualified me to sit for the Medical Technologist Exam given by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. I took the registry exam and became a registered Medical Technologist, MT(ASCP). This designation would qualify me to work in any clinical laboratory in the country as well as providing me with expertise that companies in the industry desired in their recruitment.

What work experiences have been the most educational for you, and why?
The most educational work experience for me came when I left the hospital laboratory to work in corporate where all the new technology and applications were being developed. The various positions I held in corporate kept me on the forefront of emerging technologies as well as teaching me new management and interpersonal skills.

What project(s) are you currently working on?
Retirement is not what it is cracked up to be; at least not for me. I had to find something where I could use my STEM experience while working with others. Teaching was what I needed to do and fortunately I was able to have an opportunity to do so and I am currently teaching Chemistry and Integrated Science (Physical Science) at Tri-City College Preparatory High School. This summer it is back to school so I will be able to teach AP Biology next year. I will continue teaching at Tri-City Prep and if time permits maybe find a non-profit to get involved with.

What is something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
From what I have described about my career and love of science I want to emphasize one thing; I am not a “lab rat”. I’m my happiest and perhaps at my best when I am interacting socially. Just don’t get me started talking about science though, unless you have plenty of spare time!

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?
This is the toughest question on the survey. I love to laugh and laugh often. I believe in the adage, “Laughter is the Best Medicine”. But for the life of me, nothing comes to mind. I guess the laugh is on me!

You won $10 million in the lotto. What would you do?
Wow, I’d better start playing the lotto! Seriously, when working in the hospital the pediatric unit had the most profound effect on me. To see children fighting diseases when their lives are just beginning sticks in my mind to this day. I would donate a good portion of winnings to research of my choosing. The future/survival of these children is dependent on scientific breakthroughs, STEM.

We would like to thank Al Muense for taking the time to share his story with all of us. We feel it is important to promote STEM career paths and offer assistance and guidance to anyone interested in these fields. “It is through others that we develop into ourselves”.

Tuesday, November 12- Dr. Rebecca Brulet, and her biology class at Yavapai College, welcomed G.E.M. Environmental and our guest speaker, Dr. Crystal Hepp, into their classroom as part of our Guest Lecture Series. Dr. Hepp is an evolutionary biologist, working as an Assistant Professor at Northern Arizona University’s School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems in Flagstaff, AZ.

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Kali Plummer, our AmeriCorps State Member, opened the lecture with information about G.E.M. Environmental. She was able to explain our mission and speak to the students about our programs, internships and scholarships that are available.

Dr. Hepp opened her lecture speaking about her personal journey and the struggles she faced while obtaining her degrees. Students were able to relate to her on a personal level as she talked about the different ways she was able to balance school and life without losing sight of her goals. The main lecture was based on Dr. Hepp’s research into the West Nile Virus and how it spreads throughout Arizona. She shared data and research patterns of the virus and educated the students on different ways the virus is spread. Dr. Hepp’s research is providing much needed information on this deadly virus. 

For more information on how to volunteer for one of these classroom lectures, contact our Program Coordinator Madison Link at madison@gemenvironmental.org.

G.E.M. Environmental’s Guest Lecture Series is made possible by our many sponsors. If you would like more information on ways to help support these programs please visit www.gemenvironmental.org/sponsorship.

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 The first thing I did with G.E.M was  to help build the mobile office that we would call home for the duration of our internship. We took a toy hauler, salvaged the parts from the previous mobile office, and built a new one. After weeks of work we had a finished home base for the field that consisted of four folding beds, a bathroom, a shower, a kitchen, and an area to relax, eat, and cool off after a hard days work.
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We left in June for our first trip to the mountains where we stayed for a week and mapped out over 40 abandoned features. During this time we were trained on identifying features such as pits, shafts, and mine adits. We also learned how to use the handheld G.P.S devices to map and describe the features in front of us. There were some amazing views and some good laughs but the work wasn't nearly over.

​We came home for the 4th of July.  After a week, the break was over and we were heading back out into the field. For our second trip, we went to a desert region that was much drier than the mountains we previously studied . The days were long and the sun was hot but we always had a cold drink and a good meal waiting for us when we turned in for the day. We were in this area for about two weeks and everyday was a great experience, with new things coming our way all the time. It seemed like every day there was something new and it was always fun or super interesting. 

The G.E.M. Environmental team gathered this past Friday to install the Little Free Libraries at some of the local Prescott schools. The teachers and students were very excited about the opportunity to exchange their used books for a new story to read! Sticking to G.E.M. Environmental’s mission to get kids interested in the STEM fields, every Little Free Library has been stocked with books about science, technology, engineering, and/or math. Listening to a specific request, we have put a copy of Rachel Ignotofsky’s book Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World in every Little Free Library that we created! We hope that this book and all the other books that are being donated can inspire girls to find their own passion and help them learn that they have the power to change the world.

Kicking off our fall semester's GEM For STEM lectures, Anthony Araza gave an amazing lecture for Dr. Boyd’s Geology 101 class. Mixing humor with facts, Anthony explained the benefits of getting a career in the STEM fields. He included statistics that demonstrated the increase in STEM jobs as well as the discussing how the average salary for a job in a STEM field is significantly more than most non-STEM field careers. Many students expressed that they enjoyed the lecture and were happy to be exposed to a variety of different careers that they could enter after graduation. There were multiple students who asked Anthony for career advice after the lecture, and he was able to answer all of their questions with detailed examples from his own career as a transport engineer and budget specialist.

We at G.E.M. Environmental are very excited that our first lecture of the semester went so well and are excited to continue our G.E.M. For STEM lecture series! 
For more information on how to volunteer for one of these classroom lectures,
contact our Program Coordinator Madison Link at Madison@gemenvironmental.org.

Thank you to GEM's newest sponsor - Decals By Danelle. They provided some beautiful GEM for STEM decals at a huge discount.

A great big THANK YOU from all of us at GEM!