Scenes Around NSM

Culture & Science Takes NSM Out to the Ball Game

Professors William Sager, Department Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and Gemunu Gunaratne, Department of Physics chair, discuss the physics of baseball with Mark McDowell (’86, shown center). More than 50 NSM alumni, faculty, students and friends attended the UH Cougars vs. Louisville Cardinals game on April 11.

Behind the Scenes: NSM Graduation May 2014

NSM graduated close to 600 students on May 9. Watch this behind the scenes video of our graduation candidates as they prepare for the commencement ceremony and send greetings to those who helped them reach their goal.

The Air You Breathe and Your Health Reception in Fort Bend

Ophthalmologist Matt McMenemy, M.D. (B.S. ’77, Biology), Barry Lefer, associate chair of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and dermatologist Jeanette Greer-Brumbaugh, M.D. (B.S. ’84, Biochemistry) answer questions from guests attending a reception held in the home of Janis Parsley and Georges Mirza. The event was one of several NSM alumni receptions planned for 2014 and 2015.

Downtown Earth Day Events Include NSM

UH students and Barry Lefer (center), associate professor of atmospheric science, participated in the Earth Day Houston celebration. The group launched an ozone-measuring weather balloon and provided information on the real-time OzoneMap app developed through a partnership between UH, Air Alliance Houston and the American Lung Association.

Stain-Resistant, Water-Repellent Coating: An NSM Research Product

The carpet and seats in a 6th floor lecture room in Science & Research 1 have been coated with a product developed at UH by Seamus Curran, associate professor of physics. NSM faculty and staff and NSM alumni working at UH were invited to learn about Shun Coatings at the “NSM Showcase: The Solution for Stain-Free Carpet, Clothes and Furniture.” Guests also saw demos of the stain-resistant, water-repellent technology applied to wood fencing, clothing and solar panels. The technology is licensed to C-Voltaics.

NSM Alumni Frontier Fiesta Honorary Blacksmith

Danny Nguyen (B.S. ’97, Chemistry) was sworn in by Mike Pede, associate vice president of alumni relations at UH, as the NSM Honorary Fiesta City Blacksmith during Frontier Fiesta 2014. The event is the University of Houston’s oldest and proudest tradition. Nguyen is the Scholarship Chair for the NSM Alumni Association.

Friends of Mars Rover Celebration Reception

NSM Dean Dan E. Wells addresses friends gathered at a reception and wine tasting for the Mars Rover Celebration. Held in the home of Janet F. Clark, the event featured Edgar Bering, professor of physics and Mars Rover Celebration chair, and Bonnie J. Dunbar, director of the UH STEM center and former astronaut. The Mar Rover Celebration, now in its 13th year, is an outreach event at UH for students in grades 3-8 who design and construct a model of a Mars Rover as part of a 6-week classroom learning project.

Staff Excellence Award

Elsie Myers (left) receives the University of Houston Staff Excellence Award from UH President Renu Khator. Myers, a 12-year UH employee, is the department business administrator in NSM’s Department of Chemistry.