SACNAS-APUS - Follow Us
Email - sacnas.apus@gmail.com
Our chapter of The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) at APUS (American Public University System) promotes both students and professionals within our community, fostering a haven for a community of minority scientists and STEM students. We hope to energize members and support a network of visibility of minority scientists.
A Latinx's Journey in NASA while Pursuing a PhD in STEM.
Breaking Barriers: A Latinx's Journey in NASA while Pursuing a PhD in STEM.
Email - sacnas.apus@gmail.com
Pedro Maldonado has over 20 years of experience in the federal government and has been working in Washington, DC, for the last ten years.
Pedro currently serves as Director of the Office of Financial Management at the Federal Highway Administration.
After serving in the U.S. Army as a 19D Cavalry Scout, with a deployment to Iraq in 2008, he received his master's degree in International Administration at the University of Miami in 2012. He is currently a Doctor of Global Security student at American Military University.
Bridget Kimsey is of both Lenape and Irish descent. She has her roots and beginnings in learning and working with her native elders, as a registered member of the Lenape Tribe of Indians (Delaware Nation). She has been working inside of Global Indigenous Methods and Western Scientific Methods for 30 years- in the fields of healthcare, research, writing, policy, and security. Her training runs along the spectrum of human health, biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics.
Bridget works closely with the scientific community, medical community, and other communities on differing cases and projects. She is a published author with books that describe her experience on differing topics and how they bridge into dominant modern held scientific findings.
Bridget has an undergraduate degree in science, technology, engineering, and math. She is currently working on a master's degree in space studies at APUS, with a concentration in astronomy/physics. She will then pursue a PhD in artificial intelligence. Her professional goals are to continue to research and write in finding different ways of knowing in science, creation, and the nature of reality; to continue to teach and work on projects- including patient care.
Please feel free to visit her website at https://bridgetkimsey.vpweb.com
her author's page https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07JGPV2ST
LaKeisha “KC” Lyons is currently working on her master’s degree in accounting with a CPA concentration. KC currently live a small city in Texas but has hopes of moving to Colorado next summer. KC enjoys traveling and playing volleyball and is currently working as a Senior Accountant for a local Real Estate Firm in the commercial department. She is hoping to be a great asset for wSTEM and AWIS.
Olivia Turner is a Master of Management student with the American Public University System. She is an active and supporting APUS-Analog Research Group (AARG) member and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). When she is not filling her educational bucket, you will find her actively supporting one of her many passions for life: hosting a weekly local crochet and knit Meetup group, volunteering with CASA, cooking or baking intuitive recipes, working in either the flower or vegetable gardens, strength training at the gym, on the courts playing tennis, basketball or volleyball, or hitting the trails cycling, running, walking, or hiking with her best four-legged friend, Oakley. Olivia thoroughly enjoys being active and outdoors and pushing her boundaries. She is thrilled to participate as a Communications Officer for the APUS/AMU wSTEM and AWIS groups and connect and support women in science.
Dr. Kristin Drexler is a full-time faculty of Geography and Conservation of Natural Resources for American Public University System’s School of STEM. She recently earned her PhD in Educational Leadership at New Mexico State University (NMSU) specializing in socio-ecological systems research. Drexler earned her Master of Arts degree in International Affairs/Latin American Studies from Ohio University, with an emphasis in Natural Resources Management. Drexler has conducted numerous community surveys and feasibility studies in Belize regarding agroforestry, conservation, and sustainable agriculture. Until she became a full time Instructor with APUS in 2009, Ms. Drexler was an Environmental Scientist in New Mexico, conducting field biology surveys and environmental impact analyses. Drexler founded the Belize Field School Program at NMSU, coordinating short courses in Belize in wildlife science, marine ecology, agriculture, and documentary film (2006-2014). Most recently, Drexler produced an award-winning short film, “Yochi” (2016), a story about youth conservation and action against poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
Dr. Michelle Watts is the Assistant Department Chair for Global Security in the Department of Security and Global Studies at the American Public University System, where she also teaches in the doctoral program. She has a degree in International Studies from the American University, a master's degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Arizona, and a Ph.D. in International Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. She has collaborated with colleagues on nine research grants encompassing a wide range of topics. Her work includes “Bomberos, Maestros y Psicólogos: Guatemalan Civil Society Response to the Volcano of Fire Disaster,” “Making Sovereignty Mean Something: Native Nations and Creative Adaptation”; “Drugs, Thugs, and the Diablos Rojos: Perils and Progress in Panama;” “Seguridad del Canal de Panamá: Una Década Después de la Salida de Estados Unidos” (Security of the Panama Canal: One Decade after US Departure); and “Game of Norms: Panama, the International Community, and Indigenous Rights.” She is Principal Investigator for the research study “A Case Study Comparison of Pandemic Experience of Indigenous Groups in the Americas.”
Hello! My name is Jim Burch and I currently reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I finally reached my lifelong goal to work with students at the university level. I enjoy interacting with students and helping them align their efforts to reach their professional and academic goals.
Background.
I am originally from Panama in Central America of U.S./Panamanian ancestry. I lived in Panama until I was eighteen. I attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy located in Kings Point, New York. I speak fluent Spanish, with a working knowledge of Portuguese and French. I am married to my wife Maria, of 33 years, who is also from Panama. We have five kids, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, one granddaughter, three dogs, and one cat! We have really taken to life in Colorado!
Career.
I am a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where I served for 20 years as a Naval Cryptologist and as an Intelligence Professional. Most of my career took me overseas. My last duty assignment was with NORAD U.S. Northern Command, where I worked on homeland security and defense issues. I retired from the U.S. Navy in 2009.
Education.
I have a Doctor of Management from Colorado Technical University. I also have a Master of Art from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Security Studies (Homeland Security) and a Master of Art in Military History from the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College, located at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. I also hold a master’s level graduate certificate from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in Homeland Security and recently completed a master’s certificate program in Strategic Warning from National Intelligence University (NIU). My military education includes both phases of Joint Professional Military Education the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, and the Joint Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia.
Topic: SACNAS Membership
Time: Dec 19, 2023, 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 959 8363 5672
Passcode: 141083
QUICK Glance
Topic: SACNAS-APUS Membership Meeting
Time: (Stay Tuned for more information)
Ashley Johnson is originally from Miami, FL and currently lives in Georgia with her husband and 2 young children. She is working towards her B.S. in Natural Science with a concentration in Biology with the goal of pursuing a Masters in Marine Biology. She is passionate about marine animals and ecosystems and hopes to combine her love of science and animals to further research and conservation efforts. She is excited to be serving her WSTEM community.
Lori Mateus is originally from Rhode Island and currently lives in Maryland. She received her B.S. in Information Technology Management in 2012 and her M.S. in Cybersecurity Studies in 2020 from AMU. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She has been a member of wSTEM/AWIS since 2018. In 2019, she served as the Webmistress for wSTEM/AWIS from 2019 to 2020 upon the completion of her term she then stayed on as an Alumni Advisor for both wSTEM and AWIS.