Graduate Students Organizations
BU-SETAC is a student organization that inspires student research in Environmental Science, while also aiming to encourage philanthropy and educational events to improve science education and environmental stewardship within Baylor University.
About BU SETAC
The main goal of the student BU-SETAC chapter is to promote student involvement in scientific research in the areas of environmental toxicology and chemistry. BU-SETAC is associated with the North America SETAC society and aims to provide a path of communication between undergraduate, graduate students and academics or professionals in the industry. Along with the support and facilitation of opportunities for student research, the BU-SETAC chapter aims to organize volunteer and philanthropy events to aid environmental awareness and benefit other organizations involved with environmental work.
Any student is eligible to become a member of the BU-SETAC student group. There is a minimum of two meetings every semester that are mandatory for the organization. In addition to those, sub-groups interested in specific events meet independently of the larger groups to work on organization.
BU SETAC Officers
| Adam Wronski - President | Tanya Magesh - Undergraduate Student Representative |
| Joseph Choi - Vice-President | |
| Drs. Ramon Lavado and George Cobb - Faculty Advisors |
Upcoming Events
- SETAC North America 43rd Annual Meeting: Pittsburgh, PA Nov 13 - 16, 2022
- Undergraduate research and poster presentation contest (TBD)
Past Events and Awards
2019
On February 26, 10 SETAC members and environmental science students volunteered to be a judge at the 2019 Central Texas Science and Engineering Fair. Members evaluated projects and provided feedback to young scientist in the Waco community ranging from middle school to high school.
2018
2017
Fall 2017
BU SETAC had a great fall semester. We started the semester participating in Waco’s Cultural Arts Festival Science Fest teaching kids and their families about life cycles of model organisms and why model organisms are so important. We also participated in Baylor’s Steppin’ Out program and cleaned Waco Creek outside of the BSB (pictured right). We had about 30 volunteers show up and cleaned up a lot of trash! This semester we plan on participating in the Girl Scout’s STEMFest, cleaning the Waco Creek, and hosting a guest speaker. For further information or interest in joining, please email Claire_Moffett@baylor.edu.
North America Annual Meeting 2017
Graduate students and faculty representing a variety of Baylor research labs attended the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC ) North America 38th Annual Meeting held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in November 2017.
Platform abstracts presented by graduate students were Ben Castellon, Sam Haddad, Brittany Perrotta Gavin Saari, Baylor Steele, and recent graduates Dr. Lauren Kristofco and Dr. Elias Oziolor.
Poster presentations were given by Bekah Burket, Bridgett Hill, Jing Liu, Sarah Guberman, Casan Scott, and Chi Yen Tseng.
The faculty present were Drs. George Cobb, Ramon Lavado, Cole Matson, and Bryan Brooks who presented two invited platforms.
Graduate student Sam Haddad received a presidential citation from SETAC North America for his service provided to other graduate students.
Spring 2017
BU SETAC had a busy 2016-2017 school year! We completed several river and creek cleanups as well as our favorite event: the Girl Scouts STEMFest, where we taught the scouts about aquatic toxicology and air quality. This upcoming year, we are plan on participating in the Waco Cultural Arts Festival ScienceFest, as well as, cleaning up the Waco Creek, and building another trash monster to raise awareness about pollution. We also hosted a table during “Late Night”, to talk to interested students about joining.
Mayborn Museum Public Outreach Opportunity 2017
Baylor University SETAC graduate students participated a public outreach opportunity with the Mayborn Museum in April 2017, where they shared information on their research projects and science activities occurring at Baylor and in the community. Portal to the Public is a program for science professionals which is facilitated by the Mayborn Museum on Baylor University’s Campus. The workshop consists of two sessions of professional development and an opportunity for participants to share their current research at the museum before a live audience. The goal of the workshop is to (1) equip scientists with the skills to communicate their knowledge with the community and (2) facilitate opportunities for the community to interact with local scientists regarding their cutting-edge research.
2015
- South Central Regional Meeting Awards 2015
- 2nd Place Platform Presentation- Elias Oziolor, PhD Candidate Biomedical Sciences
- 1st Place Poster Presentation- Aparna Sarode, Gretta Smith, and Raveena Patel
- 2nd Place Poster Presentation- Colleen Peters, PhD Candidate Environmental Science
2015 - BU SETAC helped in hosting a regional professional conference at Baylor University with approximately 100 scientists and engineers from various states.
In August 2012, BU-SETAC prepared and submitted a proposal to SETAC to perform community service in the area by planting vegetation along the shores of Lake Waco. The proposal was one of only two that were ultimately funded. The project was designed to stabilize the shoreline, mitigate nutrients in the lake, sequester carbon, and educate local students.
A number of students involved in BU-SETAC have earned national and international awards for their research and community service activities.
The BU-SETAC group also took on a Girl Scout STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) outreach event in 2015, developing an activity to teach regional girl scouts about the science done here in the ENV department at Baylor. Entitled “Forever Green”, the activity aimed to educate the girls on the forms of environmental pollution, where it migrates, and how they could be better stewards of the environment.
About Pi Epsilon the National Environmental Sciences Honor Society
The goal of Baylor's Chapter of Pi Epsilon the National Environmental Sciences Honor Society is to reward academic excellence in undergraduate and graduate students as well as provide opportunities for members to promote academic excellence. To be eligible as a regular member of the Society, students must be enrolled in an interdisciplinary environmental science program at an accredited institution where a chapter of Pi Epsilon is established. If the institution does not offer an interdisciplinary environmental science program, students must be enrolled in a natural science program at an accredited institution where a chapter of Pi Epsilon is established. Undergraduates and graduates may apply for membership if they fulfill the following criteria:
Graduate students shall:
Have completed at least 8 semester hours (12 quarter hours) of graduate level environmental science coursework.
Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30.
If the institution does not offer an interdisciplinary environmental science program, course of study must consist of at least two of the four natural science disciplines (biology, chemistry, geology, and physics) with coursework in one discipline not to exceed 75% of the total science coursework.
Natural science courses must include courses in at least two of the four following disciplines: biology, chemistry, geology, and physics.
Students will be invited to join Pi Epsilon as a member if they meet the criteria as listed above. Please reach out to melinda_coogan@baylor.edu and/or baylorpiepsilon@gmail.com for more information on the necessary qualifications for membership eligibility.
