SACNAS-APUS Chapter

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.

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Topic: SACNAS-APUS Membership Meeting
Date & Time: Dec 19, 2023, 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

When and Where: 

Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Dec 19th 2023

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 959 8363 5672

PC:141083

SACNAS-APUS - Follow Us

Email - [email protected]

Proud to be a Chapter Member of SACNAS

The purpose of SACNAS-APUS shall be the advancement of minorities – especially Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans – in Science and other STEM fields. The mission of its parent organization, SACNAS reflects the demographics of our society so that the STEM field is best equipped to solve our world’s most pressing problem. SACNAS leads with culture and identity as the means to achieve true diversity in STEM. SACNAS is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of a diverse society in attaining academic advancement and positions of leadership in STEM.

The Mission of SACNAS-APUS is to encourage, enable, and facilitate a diverse group of students in/to STEM fields with support, mentorship, relationship-building, and with practical problem-solving and community service skills in collaboration with established STEM practitioners as part of an active chapter of SACNAS-National.

SACNAS Website

Our SACNAS-APUS Chapter Officers

Bridget Kimsey
President

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 

Pedro Maldonado
Vice-President

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. 

Emma Lynn Follis
Secretary

Emma is living in Massachusetts with her husband and son. They plan to move for graduate school, though. Emma is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Space Studies with a concentration in Astronomy. She is the first generation in her family to be born outside of Puerto Rico but holds onto her Hispanic heritage fiercely by continuing traditions passed down for generations (mostly in the way of cooking). Her first language is English, but she has an intermediate-level knowledge of both Spanish and Dutch. Emma has a love of reading, cooking, hiking, camping, and space.

Marisa Estrada
Communications

Marisa is originally from Texas and currently living in New Jersey with her husband and two young children. She received her Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Biology in 2022 from AMU and is currently pursuing a dual master’s degree. She enjoys reading, traveling, and teaching her children music. She is happy to be part of SACNAS and be able to inspire our next generation.

Our SACNAS Faculty Advisors and Faculty Co-Advisors

Dr. Kristi Drexler
Faculty Advisor

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. Shelli Carter
Faculty Advisor

Dr. Shelli Carter has a PhD in Biology from the University of Alabama and a MS in Education-Instructional Design from Purdue University. She has worked in private forensics, as a SME with the MITRE Corporation, and as a government research scientist, project manager, and recruiter. Dr. Carter has taught and designed courses from the community college to university level. She currently serves as an Associate Professor within the School of STEM at APUS.

Dr. Michelle Watts 
Faculty Co-Advisor

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.”

Dr. Jim Burch
Faculty Co-Advisor

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. 

Chapter News and Info

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Our Schedule - SACNAS-APUS, Officers and Advisors Meeting

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

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Our SACNAS Alum Advisors (Mentors)

Ashley Johnson
Alum Advisor (Mentor)

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
Alum Advisor (Mentor)

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.

SACNAS-APUS Contacts

Email

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[email protected]

Additional Chapters

wSTEM (Women in STEM)
AWIS (Association for Women in STEM)

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