Enrique Luna: Nursing Student Contributes to Emergency Medical Unit in Afghanistan While many students in the School of Nursing are already working in the medical field as they earn their bachelor’s or master’s degree at California State University, Dominguez Hills, Enrique Luna is experiencing what will probably be the most challenging assignment. Capt. Luna, a registered nurse and CNOR (Certified Nurse, Operating Room) has been working at the Salerno Hospital in Afghanistan for the last nine months, where he has helped to provide aid, care, and treatment for wounded and sick United States and coalition troops as well as participating in humanitarian efforts by assisting cases that the local hospitals cannot handle.

	CSU Dominguez Hills Awarded NIH Minority Access to Research Careers Grant Laura Robles, interim dean of the College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences, recently announced the award of a $1,025,430 grant to the university from the National Institutes of Health. The Minority Access to Research Careers Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research program will be funded for five years, giving six students at California State University, Dominguez Hills more financial freedom to concentrate on their studies and assure their success in acquiring doctorate degrees for careers in biomedical and behavioral research.

Photo above: The Minority Biomedical Research Support Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS RISE) program at CSU Dominguez Hills provides mentorship and development for underrepresented students in biology, chemistry, physics and psychology. Pictured is the current MBRS RISE cohort and five new students for the 2009-10 academic year.

Back row, L-R: Renecia Watkins, senior, biochemistry; Thania Bogarin, senior, biology; Jorge Contreras, senior, biology; Juan Vega, senior, biology; Leah Fortson, junior, psychology; Steve Martinez, senior, chemistry; Sherica Bolden, senior, psychology; Danielle Ross, senior, biology; and Jazmyn Marquez, senior, biology/human services.

Front row, L-R: Brittney Parish, junior, psychology; Toyin Dunn, sophomore, biology; Esbeyde Garcia, junior, psychology; Fernando Martinez, junior, psychology; and Kumar Tiger, junior, microbiology

Courtesy of Tigress Briggs