Welcome to the October newsletter updating you on everything going on in the College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering.

When he was working in the oilfields not long after finishing his time in the United States Army, Eder Tavera would regularly work alongside engineering geologists from CalGEM, or California Geologic Energy Management Division. Those geologists, some of them veterans themselves, encouraged Tavera to return to school and earn his degree.

A few years and one bachelor’s degree in geological sciences from CSUB later, Tavera has now landed a job with CalGEM as an engineering geologist himself, calling it a full-circle moment.

“Just constantly seeing and engaging with these guys in a professional setting, that’s what led to them mentoring me and influencing me to get back into school, especially in geology,” said the 35-year-old Tavera. “I feel like I’m made for that job. I feel like I can contribute. I'm extremely lucky that everything played out according to how I envisioned.”

Read more about Tavera’s new job and his time at CSUB!

The College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering (NSME) at CSUB prides itself on providing an excellent educational experience that prepares its students for jobs in technology, energy, health care, research and more. To ensure its programs meet evolving workforce needs, NSME launched the Dean’s Advisory Board in May 2023 under the leadership of Dean Jane Dong.

 Made up of 21 leaders from the realms of energy, agriculture, environment, aerospace, engineering consulting, health care and K-12 education, the board provides valuable input on future workforce demands and technological innovations impacting regional industries. It also strategizes new opportunities for NSME students. 

“NSME is the only four-year public institution in our region preparing professionals in STEM and health care,” Dr. Dong said. “Maintaining close ties with employers is essential to ensure our graduates are career ready.” 

Read more about the board and its plans for NSME!

A new planned gift will provide more academic support to future geology students at CSUB.

The Pitts family has committed to providing a percentage of the future proceeds of their estate to CSUB’s Geological Sciences Department. The gift will be used by the department to fund scholarships, field trips and other programs and services for students.

“It’s awesome being able to do this. This is a program that I want to see succeed,” said Kay Pitts. “The department is evolving in a very good way. They have great instructors who are dedicated to the university, to the students we have here. When we can get more students into science, that’s a good thing for them, for the university and the community.”

Read more about the Pitts’ support for CSUB!

Did you know California now has an official state shrub? Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill establishing the Bigberry Manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) as California’s state shrub. The CSUB campus is home to some of these shrubs, seen in this photo taken at the Environmental Studies Area.  

The species has been featured in many CSUB research projects, with NSME biology professors Dr. Anna Jacobsen and Dr. Brandon Pratt studying it for more than 20 years! The Bigberry Manzanita has been featured in several papers they have published over the years, including many with CSUB student co-authors. It is also included in a current Student Research Scholars Program project.

Read more about the new state shrub and the newly recognized state snake! 

On Friday, NSME hosted students from local high schools for National Chemistry Day! They heard from faculty members from our Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, toured our laboratories and enjoyed some hands-on activities on the Student Union patio. President Harper and Provost Thien also joined to talk to the students! We hope they all left excited to explore an education and career in chemistry! See more photos on our social media!

The CSUB Department of Mathematics will host the American Mathematics Competitions. These tests, organized nationwide by the Mathematical Association of America, are for junior and senior high school students and will take place at CSUB on Nov. 5.  Top scorers from around the country will be invited to participate in the American Invitational Mathematics Exam.  From those, about 300 will be asked to take the USA Mathematical Olympiad test, which will help determine the six students to represent the USA at the International Mathematics Olympiad.  

Associate Professor Dr. Brian Ryals gave a talk on "Global dynamics in an Evolutionary Ricker Model” at the American Mathematical Society sectional meeting at Tulane University as part of a special session on "Advances in mathematical modeling and analysis of biological dynamics.” 

EVENTS

Korea study abroad information session

Thursday, Oct. 30 from 2 to 3 p.m.

Business Development Center Building C Conference Room

Email studyabroad@csub.edu for more information

 

Teacher-Scholar Lecture Series with Dr. Rae McNeish (Biology)

Friday, Nov. 14 from noon to 1 p.m.

Join via Zoom

 

Senior Design Expo

Thursday, Dec. 4 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Student Recreation Center (SRC) Blue Court

"What's New at NSME" is a monthly newsletter produced by the College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering at California State University, Bakersfield. This newsletter will go out every month during the regular school year to highlight the work our students and faculty are doing both on campus and off. If you have any questions or entry submissions, please contact Kelly Ardis at kardis@csub.edu.