NSME welcomes new faculty

Three new faculty members join California State University, Bakersfield's College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering this year. Meet the three new faces joining the departments of mathematics, computer & electrical engineering and computer science and nursing.

Read more about them!

Discovering the fun of research

Hands-on research experience is an essential part of a science education. Thanks to two summer programs at the university, 72 students had the chance to participate directly in research projects aiming to solve real-world problems.

NSME held two concurrent programs from late May through late June. The Chevron-sponsored Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), now in its sixth year, had 35 students working in three projects, while the Department of Education-funded CSUB/Taft College Summer Research Program had 37 students across seven projects.

“So many of our students want to use their summer break to keep learning or explore something new, and these programs give them the opportunity to do just that,” said Dr. Andrea Medina, director of grants and outreach for NSME, whose team helps facilitate the programs.

Read more about two of these projects!

CSUB presents 2026-27 faculty and staff awards

CSUB honored five faculty members last week for their exceptional service to the university and the communities it serves. Among the recipients were some of NSME’s own! Dr. Heidi He (Nursing) received the Jacquelyn Kegley Faculty Leadership and Service Award, Dr. Anthony Rathburn (Geology) received the Faculty Leadership and Creative Activity Award and the NSME Grants and Outreach team received the Outstanding Department Award.

Read more about the awardees and their accomplishments!

CRC donates $75,000 to support students in Energy Innovation Building

The California Resources Corporation (CRC) is donating $75,000 to CSUB to support students in the Energy Innovation Building.

The gift will support student activities and fund the purchase of new equipment for a collaboration space on the second floor of the building — which is currently under construction and is expected to open next year — where students, faculty and community partners can share ideas and conduct research together.

In recognition of the donation, CSUB will name it the CRC Collaboration Space. CSUB and CRC celebrated the partnership during a signing ceremony in July.

Read more about the partnership!

Three CSUB students receive state doctoral scholarships

Three CSUB students are receiving scholarships from the CSU system this year to help them achieve their goals of earning a doctorate. Two of the three recipients are NSME students. Heather Gross (Biochemistry) and Jocelyne Lopez (Biology) have both been chosen as Sally Casanova Scholars through the California Pre-Doctoral Program. 

Both Gross and Lopez, along with fellow CSUB awardee Tremaine Law (Psychology), will receive $5,000 to support them in their studies. The funds will help cover application fees and provide opportunities for the students to visit doctoral-granting institutions, participate in summer research experiences and connect with potential faculty mentors and experts in their field.

Read more about the students!

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