This interdisciplinary minor will explore the scientific, psychological and philosophical dimensions of mindfulness and its impact on well-being.

A total of 17 units are required for the minor in mindfulness:

• PSYC 100 – Introduction to Psychology (3 units)
• KINE 150 – Foundations in Mindfulness (1 unit)
• KINE 310 – Social and Emotional Health (3 units)
• PSYC 344 – Positive Psychology (3 units)
• SOC 425 – Sociological Mindfulness (4 units)
• UNIV 495C – University Internship (3 units) 

With a focus on mindfulness, well-being and contemplative practices, this interdisciplinary minor aims to provide students with both theoretical foundations and practical methods. The minor requires completing an internship, which overlaps with the student fellowship requirement.

For more information, please contact Ranjeeta Basu at rbasu@csusm.edu. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The paper details findings that suggest complex interactions among visual feedback, hand dominance, age and tremor dynamics in Parkinson’s disease. The paper was co-authored by Ana Carolina Brisola Brizzi, Shirley Ferreira Campos, Melina Paula Sales, Fabrício Duarte de Almeida, Wellington Pedroso, and Rodrigo Cunha de Mello Pedreiro. 

Pinto Neto has written and published more than 60 peer-reviewed papers.

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Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Perron is leading a three-year, $1,085,815 project supported by the Laboratory for Physical Sciences, targeting one of the most demanding areas in modern science: quantum information science and technology (QIST).  

The effort builds on a previous Department of Energy RENEW award that equipped CSU undergraduate faculty to integrate quantum concepts into their courses. Now Perron is tackling the next barrier: getting students hands-on experience with the technology itself. 

"Most undergraduate QIST education is theoretical or textbook-focused," Perron said. "While simulations and cloud-accessible systems are valuable, the quantum sector also needs scientists and engineers with hands-on experience operating these systems. Because quantum technology is expensive and typically limited to research and industry settings, most students don't have access to that kind of training." 

Perron’s team is developing a curriculum that teaches core QIST lab competencies without requiring access to a full quantum system. The model will draw on data from quantum industry stakeholders to define workforce needs, then design and test the curriculum at CSUSM and partner institutions, measuring its effectiveness from the perspectives of students, faculty and potential employers. 

While Perron’s project focuses on preparing students for emerging careers in quantum science, other newly funded CSUSM projects are reimagining how students engage with mathematics and biology from the start of their academic journeys. 

"It's exciting to see our faculty leading nationally competitive projects that connect research and teaching in powerful ways," said Charles De Leone, dean of graduate studies and research. "These grants reflect what's possible at an institution like ours, where faculty are deeply invested in student success and bring that commitment into cutting-edge work." 

Additional projects funded this academic year include: 

• Rethinking the gateway to calculus 
  A $173,098 grant from the National Science Foundation supports a collaborative project led by mathematics professor Kimberly Ayers, in partnership with Florida International University, Clark College and the University of Virginia. The project introduces a more interactive model for teaching introductory calculus, a course that serves as a gateway to most STEM majors but has some of the highest failure and withdrawal rates nationally in undergraduate education. 
  Rather than lecture-centered instruction, students work in small groups to solve problems and explain their thinking out loud, building procedural skills alongside the mathematical confidence that research shows is essential to staying in STEM. The collaboration across four institutions allows the team to test the approach across different student populations and refine what works.
• Putting field research into the biology curriculum 
  Funded with a $499,970 grant from the National Science Foundation, a project led by biology professors Mallory Rice, George Vourlitis and Jane Kim will embed hands-on, community-driven scientific research directly into biology courses at CSUSM. Students will investigate biological questions about how urban development is affecting wildlife and natural resources across North San Diego County.
• Building the region’s behavioral and mental health workforce 
  CSUSM received a $450,000 grant from the County of San Diego to help strengthen the region’s health and human services workforce through a partnership with the county’s Health and Human Services Agency and San Diego State University.
• Preparing future public health leaders 
  Kim Pulvers, a professor of psychology, and Richard Armenta, an associate professor of kinesiology, received a competitive renewal award for the Research & Action for Community Health (REACH): CSUSM/UCSD Smoke and Vape Free Scholars Program in partnership with UC San Diego. The program trains undergraduate and master’s students to address tobacco-related health disparities through research, community engagement and public health workforce development. Since the program’s launch in 2022, scholars have presented their work more than 30 times, published nine papers and gone on to graduate programs and health-related careers. This $1,331,620 grant is funded by the California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program. 

“What’s especially meaningful about these projects is the way they connect research, teaching and workforce preparation,” De Leone said. 

Research funding is an integral part of CSUSM’s “Blueprint for the Future” fundraising campaign, helping advance the university’s $200 million goal through both philanthropy and grants. 

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The program began as an idea from Marilyn Huerta, the college's marketing, communications and engagement specialist. Huerta envisioned creating a student-led leadership and communications team to highlight the work and impact of CEHHS programs. She helped develop the program and guided the launch of its first group of student ambassadors.

The inaugural team includes four students who are helping expand the college’s visibility while building professional skills that will support their future careers.

Ariana Saenz hosts the college’s new podcast series, “CEHHS Unplugged,” in which she interviews health and education professionals about their backgrounds, programs they teach, career pathways and words of wisdom.

“Through the ‘CEHHS Unplugged’ podcast and the ambassador program, I’m proud to help amplify student voices and showcase the incredible community within our college,” Saenz said.

Daniel Lopez launched the CEHHS Student & Success Story Series, producing written profiles that showcase the journeys and accomplishments of CEHHS students and alumni.

Serving as the team’s lead ambassador, Natalya Taseveki helps coordinate student engagement efforts and supports events and activities across the college, including programming connected to Scholars in Wellness and Innovation Fast-Track (SWIFT) Health Programs, kinesiology, human development, social work, education, nursing, speech-language pathology and public health.

The team’s digital presence is led by Audrie Smith, who started the college’s TikTok account and helps manage CEHHS social media platforms, sharing content that highlights events, fundraisers, student life and college achievements.

The ambassadors support a wide range of initiatives across the college. They assist the CEHHS dean, Jennifer Ostergren, during events honoring students who earned dean’s list recognition and participate in outreach and recruitment activities such as Cougar Blue Day and Discover CSUSM.

They also contribute to campuswide efforts such as Giving Day and Cougar Crowdfunding. Last semester, they hosted a student engagement “Giving Tree” event to encourage philanthropy and community support.

Beyond large events, the ambassadors attend student organization meetings and departmental activities to photograph and document student experiences across CEHHS. The team collaborates with the college’s Committee for Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity (CIDE) to support outreach and networking opportunities for students.

Participation in the program also emphasizes professional development. Through the CSUSM Career Center, the ambassadors are building career portfolios, strengthening résumé and interview skills, participating in workshops and attending the university’s Etiquette Dinner experience.

In addition, they remain active across campus through initiatives with Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) and the university’s Orientation Team.

Huerta continues to mentor and supervise the team members as they develop leadership and communication skills while serving as ambassadors for the college.

College leaders hope the program will continue to grow in the coming years, giving more students opportunities to gain real-world experience while helping share the stories and impact of CEHHS programs.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The expo will take place on Friday, Feb. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Kellogg Library.

The event will feature two primary speakers – kinesiology professor Paul Stuhr and management professor Paola Ometto – who were recommended by the Faculty Center Advisory Council.

Stuhr will deliver the “Joy of Teaching” keynote with the theme “One Blueprint for Belonging: Designing Intentional Conditions for Community.” Stuhr describes the presentation as follows:

"Belonging is not something we add to our classrooms as an afterthought; it is something we create through the conditions we design. Small, intentional shifts in instruction can create moments, or pockets of joy and collective effervescence, where students feel seen, connected and ready to learn. In this keynote, I share one way to intentionally shape the conditions in which community can emerge. I’m not suggesting ‘this is the way’ to build belonging, but rather one blueprint grounded in a model called adventure-based learning."

Ometto will open the research plenary session with a presentation titled "Is Entrepreneurship the Same Everywhere? Rethinking Entrepreneurship in Marginalized Contexts.” She will cover how entrepreneurs from marginalized communities experience distinct entrepreneurial pathways, emphasizing how they craft identity narratives to respond to social perceptions and sustain their ventures.

In addition to the featured speakers, the expo will include a conference panel and roundtable sessions for faculty-to-faculty learning and celebration of the work that takes place in the classroom every day.

View the full program and register for the Teaching & Learning Expo on the Faculty Center website.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

“It’s incredibly meaningful to give students with intellectual disabilities an inclusive college experience,” Brooks said. “My greatest hope was to obtain funding to expand our cohort size and ensure the long-term sustainability of this program. These grants make that vision a reality.” 

Funding at this level is highly competitive nationwide, yet faculty and staff at CSUSM like Brooks continue to stand out, securing awards that support innovative projects and create transformational experiences for students. 

“Our faculty and staff are pursuing some of the most-sought-after grants in the nation, alongside leading institutions,” said Charles De Leone, dean of graduate studies and research. “It’s exciting to see their ideas recognized and to watch how their work enriches our students’ experiences, strengthens our campus and serves our broader community.” 

Examples of projects funded this academic year include: 

• Supporting chemistry and biochemistry students: A $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation will fund student scholarships in chemistry and biochemistry as well as a Vertical Mentoring Learning Community (VMLC). Led by Robert Iafe, Afra Panahi and Aswad Allen, the program blends mentoring, research opportunities and priority enrollment for up to 30 students each year, with eight first-year students eligible for renewable $15,000 scholarships.
• Making exercise more accessible: Kinesiology professor Todd Astorino received a $442,590 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to explore how reduced exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT) – two short 20-second sprints within a 10-minute workout – can improve health and make exercise more attainable for inactive adults.
• Expanding mobile making in local schools: Funded by the National Science Foundation, this project led by Edward Price, April Nelson and Sinem Siyahhan of the Center for Research and Engagement in STEM Education (CRESE) expands the university’s Mobile Making program. Through after-school “making” clubs across North County, undergraduate STEM ambassadors bring hands-on activities and equipment to schools, libraries and community centers.
• Helping students with intellectual disabilities experience college: Brooks and psychology professor Allison Jobin received $2.5 million in grants to expand Aspiring Scholars with full-time staff, a dedicated campus space and additional peer mentors.
• Adding water refill stations: A grant from CalRecycle will enable CSUSM to reach its goal to have a water refill station on every floor of every building. Led by Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, director of sustainability and climate justice, in partnership with Facilities Development & Management, this grant will fund 10 new water refill stations and replace five older stations across campus. The project’s progress will be measured through station usage, recycling volumes and waste audits. 

“Each of these projects reflect the spirit of innovation and collaboration at CSUSM,” De Leone said. “They also give students meaningful opportunities to engage in hands-on research that prepares them for their future careers.” 

Research funding is an integral part of CSUSM’s “Blueprint for the Future” campaign, helping advance the university’s $200 million goal through both philanthropy and grants.

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Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

“From a young age, I helped my family assimilate into our new environment, filling in gaps wherever I was needed as a first-generation Mexican American.” said Chambers, now a Master of Social Work (MSW) student at Cal State San Marcos. “I became their translator, doctor, lawyer and social worker. These experiences shaped why I want to do this work.”

She carried that sense of purpose into every role she has served – including preschool teacher, nanny and YMCA educator – and she saw firsthand how communication gaps between parents and schools can affect a child’s success. 

“That made me want to be part of the solution,” she said. “I want to help families and children feel supported.”

Now in graduate school – something that once felt out of reach as the first in her family to attend college – Chambers recently took part in an innovative Interprofessional Education (IPE) event hosted by the CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care, which is part of a larger palliative care initiative funded by the Hearst Foundations.

Palliative care brings together a team of health professionals to provide holistic treatment for individuals with serious illnesses. IPE focuses on training students to work together in this collaborative model.

Designed by CSUSM faculty from multiple disciplines, CSUSM’s IPE program places students from nursing, kinesiology, speech-language pathology and social work together to analyze a case study and develop a comprehensive plan of care. The goal is to help students think collaboratively while gaining an authentic understanding of what teamwork looks like in real clinical settings.

“Graduate school can feel siloed since we focus on our own programs,” Chambers said. “This event brings students from multiple disciplines together under one roof to learn from each other and realize how much stronger we are when we collaborate.”

In this year’s exercise, Chambers’ team worked on a family-centered case study involving a medically complex 8-year-old boy living with his grandparents. 

“These cases remind us that families don’t exist in isolation,” she said. “When a child is struggling, it’s not just on the grandparents or the teacher. There’s a whole network of people who can help. Our job is to strengthen that network.”

“Students will be expected to collaborate with other professions when they enter practice,” said Katie Robinson, assistant professor of nursing. “But as with every other practice competency, we have to teach them why, show them how and guide them through practicing it themselves. And now that we've worked out such an effective IPE model, it's exciting to think about expanding across the campus – and beyond.”

Since spring 2023, the institute has hosted five immersive IPE days, with participation now reaching 150–200 students across the College of Education, Health and Human Services.

“Alumni from previous events have shared how this event helped shape their transition into the workforce,” said Lorene Ibbestson, a social work lecturer. “It gave them confidence in their professional abilities and a deeper appreciation for how collaboration across disciplines can create meaningful change.”

Now, thanks to a generous $200,000 grant from the Hearst Foundations, CSUSM’s IPE program will continue to grow, with plans to:

• launch a new IPE event in spring 2026 focused on health policy, including students from psychology, sociology and political science;
• build a similar IPE model at Fresno State and ultimately other CSU campuses;
• explore cross-campus collaborations with UC San Diego medical students and Clinical Pastoral Education programs.

For students like Chambers, these simulated experiences are invaluable in helping them prepare for meaningful careers.  

For CSUSM, the Hearst Foundations’ generous support not only strengthens IPE but also moves the university closer to its “Blueprint for the Future” campaign goal to raise $200 million in philanthropy and research funding.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Alexus was in and out of the foster care system from the time she was 2 years old. She has lived in countless states and attended 17 different schools. However, with the help of Cal State San Marcos’ ACE Scholars Services program, she is graduating this winter with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and a minor in dance.

“ACE has had a really big impact on me,” Alexus said, “and for that I'm very grateful.”

Alexus always knew she wanted to pursue higher education because she believed it would help her avoid the challenges that her mother faced.

Pregnant at 15 years old, Alexus’ mother struggled to raise a child. After her mom was kicked out of Alexus’ grandmother’s house, Alexus was sent to New York to live with her great-grandfather. Her mother booked a return flight to California, and Alexus’ childhood was on a new course.

Growing up, Alexus experienced the hardships of persistent custody battles and court-mandated counseling therapy. She was constantly moving among different households and family members.

Alexus is 29 years old and the oldest of six siblings (the youngest is 15). She was 16 when her siblings entered the foster care system for the first time. She hoped to shield them from the reality of foster care.

But Alexus and her siblings were apart for almost a year, which was one of the hardest times of her life. Alexus and her siblings have always had a strong bond, celebrating every holiday together at their grandparents’ house as children.

“I love my siblings, and I just want to be the best big sister they could have. If they ever need anything, they can call me,” Alexus said.

As complicated as Alexus’ life was, additional struggles began to arise when she became an adult. After she moved out of her mom’s house at 19, trying to complete her degree while managing two jobs to afford her rent became a strenuous task.

Alexus was attending Riverside Community College when she learned about ACE Scholars Services. It’s a program that would soon change her life for the better.

ACE Scholars Services helps former foster youth pursue higher education by providing services and support systems. ACE knows that helping foster youth earn a degree provides them with the tools and self-determination they need to succeed in life. That has been the case for Alexus.

Alexus worked the overnight shift at the Ontario airport, ending her shift at 7 a.m., then driving from Rancho Cucamonga for her hour-plus commute to campus. When she hadn’t slept all night, ACE provided her a space to get rest during the day. When she didn’t have enough money to afford food or school supplies, ACE was there. When her car broke down, ACE was there.  

In October 2024, Alexus lost her job and was evicted, marking the start of a difficult time. But ACE was once again there to help.

“The support that I get from ACE, everything that I've been able to get through in my life is because ACE has always helped me, especially Leigh,” Alexus said.

Leigh Quijada has been the director of ACE Scholars Services for the last two years after previously working with the program for 13 years as a counselor. She has played a huge role in Alexus’ life by not only guiding her but helping her get through every obstacle she has faced. “Persistent” and “resilient” are the two words Quijada uses to describe Alexus.

“I think Alexus might be the only student I’ve had who has been through it all and overcome everything," Quijada said.

Quijada has been there for Alexus since the start of her journey at CSUSM and has watched her grow. When Alexus was put on academic probation last year because she had to prioritize going to work to pay her bills over attending class, Quijada did everything in her power to help Alexus get re-enrolled.

“She is probably one of the biggest people in my life,” Alexus said. “I wouldn’t be getting my bachelor's without Leigh; she’s definitely my rock.”

After the difficult years Alexus endured as a foster child, she is graduating this winter and moving to Texas to begin a master’s program in kinesiology. She has played sports since she was young and hopes to continue her love for that field as an athletic trainer for professional athletes.

“People don't know what I've been through to get to this point,” Alexus said. “It's going to be a very big accomplishment.”

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Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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Led by kinesiology instructor Megan Paterson, the lab sessions gave students the opportunity to explore osmosis and biomechanics through real-world applications. In one experiment, students soaked eggs in vinegar to dissolve the shells, then placed them in various saltwater solutions and beverages of their choice – with most opting for sodas or sports drinks. By weighing the eggs before and after, they estimated how much water was absorbed, offering insight into osmosis and the salt content of everyday drinks.

“This kind of hands-on learning helps students connect theory to practice,” Paterson said. “It’s one thing to read about osmosis; it’s another to see it happen right in front of you.”

In the afternoon sessions taught by Joseph Lawrence, students dissected chicken legs to compare the large muscles of the thigh with the smaller ones in the calf. They then conducted a bone-breaking experiment, measuring the length and diameter of chicken femurs and tibias and calculating the force required to break them.

The lab also incorporated CSUSM’s Anatomage Tables, allowing students to explore human anatomy in 3D and reinforce their understanding through digital dissection.

Inside kinesiology health labs like this, students combine classic techniques with cutting-edge tools, gaining real-world skills that go far beyond textbooks. The experience helps them build a strong foundation for careers in health and human movement. And they’re doing it with purpose.

“These labs weren’t just about science,” Lawrence said. “They were about reinforcing confidence, curiosity and community.”

These immersive experiences reflect CSUSM’s “Blueprint for the Future,” the name of its recently launched $200 million fundraising campaign. You can support the campaign and fuel more hands-on learning experiences like this. Learn more and give today.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The grants come from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The faculty members involved from CSUSM include assistant biology professor Mallory Rice, associate biology professor Jane Kim, biology professor George Vourlitis, kinesiology professor Todd Astorino and assistant math professor Kim Ayers.

Rice is the principal investigator (with Kim and Vourlitis as co-PIs) of a three-year, $499,970 grant from the NSF’s Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI Program). The project aims to increase student success by ensuring that every CSUSM biology student participates in multiple research experiences while enrolled in their lower- and upper-division courses. Research projects will investigate how urban development impacts wildlife and natural resources in North San Diego County.

The grant will be supported by the CSUSM-based National Latino Research Center, with Konane Martinez (faculty director of the NLRC and chair of the anthropology department) serving in a senior personnel role.

Astorino received a $442,590 Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) from the NIH. He will conduct a randomized controlled trial with 60 inactive adults, who will complete 24 sessions of reduced exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT), a variation of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that requires only two 20-second sprints within a 10-minute session. Astorino then will compare the resultant changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), substrate metabolism and psychological response to a non-exercising control group.

The trial will expand work in the field showing that REHIT increases CRF and other health-related outcomes, but that has been criticized due to its small sample size, serving to question the broad application of REHIT in adults.

Ayers received a $173,098 grant from the NSF in collaboration with Florida International University and the University of Virginia. The three universities will adapt and implement the Modeling Practices in Calculus (MPC) approach, which has been shown to significantly improve learning and success for a broad collection of introductory calculus students. At the core of MPC is the opportunity for students to work cooperatively and discuss key mathematical ideas in a face-to-face, small-group setting. After adoption and implementation, CSUSM and its partners will identify three additional sites that will join the project in its second year. 

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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What she found was a close-knit campus community, opportunities to grow as a leader and the unexpected start of a career she hadn’t planned. 

Debber graduated from CSUSM in 2016 with a degree in kinesiology. Today, she leads the team at Lilo, a 22-seat fine-dining restaurant known for its immersive tasting experience and coastal cuisine. Just 10 weeks after opening, the restaurant earned a prestigious Michelin star. 

“I didn’t even know hospitality could be a real career when I started,” Debber said. “But I quickly fell in love with it. That passion and the people I’ve met through this industry have made all the difference.” 

Debber planned to major in nursing at CSUSM, but after not being admitted into the highly competitive program, she shifted to kinesiology and fully embraced the opportunities the university offered. 

She spent four years on CSUSM’s women’s club lacrosse team, a sport she’d never played before college, and served on the campus orientation team. She said those experiences shaped her into the leader she is today. 

“I didn’t like not being good at something, so I worked hard at lacrosse,” Debber said. “That same hunger carried into management. I wanted to be better, and I was willing to put in the work.” 

Orientation team training helped her connect with people from all walks of life, a skill that now serves her well in the hospitality industry.  

“We spent a lot of time learning about different communities on campus and how to support them,” Debber said. “That still sticks with me. Now I manage a diverse team, and that kind of awareness is essential. I received good training from being on the orientation team. They would bring in a lot of different leaders on campus to teach you about their area, and that was beneficial.” 

After graduation, Debber faced a decision: return home to Fresno to save up for grad school or stay in San Diego and work. She chose to stay and unknowingly launched a career in hospitality.  

“My initial entry into hospitality was with the intention of going back to school for kinesiology or for health science,” Debber said. “But I decided that I really had a knack for hospitality. I didn't even know that that was a career option.” 

Her first role was as a host at Campfire in Carlsbad, where she helped open the restaurant in 2016. She worked her way up through various roles, eventually helping to open Jeune et Jolie as a bartender and rising to general manager. 

“I think a lot of people really struggled when I first started working in hospitality,” Debber said. “I had a lot of people telling me it's not really a sustainable career. I felt like I had a lot of societal pressure to move into a different direction.”  

However, Debber found a sense of purpose and community working in the restaurant industry. Now as general manager of a Michelin-starred restaurant at Lilo, she’s focused less on accolades and more on people. 

“I think the Michelin star is just a byproduct of all the hard work we put in,” Debber said. “What’s most important to me is that we’re providing a unique experience for people, that our books are full every night, and that our team is genuinely happy with what they do. 

“As a company, we really believe in making sure everyone’s time is well spent. That’s something I care deeply about in my role. So, for me, it’s less about the Michelin star and more about creating something meaningful.” 

Debber never could have predicted becoming the general manager of one of the most talked about restaurants in Southern California. But she credits every twist and turn along the way for helping her grow into the leader she is today. 

“I think the best things in my life have come from saying yes to something that scared me a little,” Debber said. “You don’t always have to know exactly where you’re going. Just be open, work hard and trust that it’ll lead somewhere great.” 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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Though part of different colleges – Feairheller a kinesiology professor in the College of Education, Health and Human Services and Morris a computer engineering professor in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics – they reconnected as members of the second cohort of Faculty Innovation Fellows in CSUSM’s Innovation Hub. The program fosters innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities for students, faculty, and community and industry partners.

While Feairheller and Morris were working on separate projects during the fellowship, their connection led to a new collaboration that has earned federal funding to advance their research.

The project, “AI-Driven Models for Disease Detection in Cardiovascular Health,”  was awarded a grant through the National Institutes of Health’s AIM-AHEAD Program for Artificial Intelligence Readiness (PAIR), which supports multidisciplinary teams focused on building capacity for AI/ML health equity research. Joining Feairheller and Morris on the project are computer science professors Ali Ahmadinia and Sreedevi Gutta.

“By getting the award from AIM-AHEAD, we now have data available to us that we previously didn't have,” Morris said. “That can be another resource for us to improve our models and better understand what additional data we’ll need when we do go to collect new information with Deb.”

Feairheller credited the innovation fellowship for providing the space to initiate those early discussions, which grew into a broader collaboration.

“I'm really excited that we have access to this extra data,” Feairheller said. “Through this grant program, they're going to help us in creating a project proposal that will build on the idea that they have and also help enable future research in cardiovascular health and women.”

Before joining CSUSM, Feairheller was at the University of New Hampshire where she focused on understudied populations affected by cardiovascular disease. Coming to CSUSM, she recognized the need for specific research in women. She is eager to use the AI modeling that Morris and his team will be doing to improve screening tools that could be used in her clinic to potentially enable more patients to be engaged in learning about their cardiovascular health.

Feairheller noted the importance of recognizing the difference in the hearts of men and women. She said there is limited published research on how a female heart responds to stressors, exercise and other activity.

“The clinical guidelines and the paradigms that physicians use to treat patients are following protocols that were derived on studies that were done primarily in men, so I really love that we're going to create these AI models,” she said. “And I really do hope that we can do something that is specific for females as well as for males because it might create ways that we can do screening that's very sex specific and could potentially save lives.”

The “AI-Driven Models for Disease Detection in Cardiovascular Health” project got jumpstarted with initial data that had already been collected by Feairheller in her previous research working with women, which Morris said allowed them to improve their grant proposal by creating models based on that data.

Both Feairheller and Morris emphasized the role the Faculty Innovation Fellows program played in bringing their collaboration to fruition, and they encourage other faculty to give the program a try.

“The fellowship really helped us learn about each other's research,” Morris said, “and it facilitated impactful conversations.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Honorees were nominated by faculty or staff and endorsed by their college’s dean. Here is a closer look at each award recipient: 

Alexandria (Alli) Mulqueen, psychological science  

President’s Outstanding Graduate  

Dean’s Award, College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences 

Mulqueen is engaged on campus and in the community, where she demonstrates unique commitment to her passion around disability inclusion, equity and justice. She serves as co-president of the Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance (also known as the CSUSM Best Buddies Chapter), which is aimed at empowering people to become advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to bringing awareness to the disability rights movement.  

As the only student organization on campus focusing on neurodiversity and disability justice, Mulqueen’s leadership has provided a voice and place for community building, belonging, learning and advocacy for students with disabilities and allies. 

Learn more about Mulqueen. 

Tyler Glasser, business administration 

Gerevas Family Dean’s Award, College of Business Administration 

Glasser was selected for his collective leadership contributions to the college and the student community, including helping to advance the Cougar Fund. Through his leadership and knowledge, the Cougar Fund has enhanced its investment strategy and rebalanced the holdings of the fund’s portfolio.  

The diversification has helped mitigate risk and established a foundation for the financial sustainability of the Cougar Fund. As important, the knowledge and techniques introduced by Glasser will move the Cougar Fund’s chief investment officer position forward, motivating future leadership to new levels of performance. It has also enhanced student hands-on learning, a cornerstone of CoBA degree programs, better preparing Cougar Fund students for their future investment careers.  

Nathan Lenski, master's, public health 

Dean’s Award, College of Education, Health and Human Services 

Lenski has consistently demonstrated exceptional research skills and a deep commitment to improving public health, particularly among vulnerable populations. Additionally, he has taken up the mantel of the department’s student organization, Graduate Organization of Public Health. He has accomplished this over the course of CSUSM’s accelerated Master of Public Health degree program while still employed full time for the County of San Luis Obispo.  

Lenski was lauded for his research capabilities and for being both intuitive and open to learning. His commitment to public health is not limited to his academic work but is also reflected in his actions. He seeks to leverage his research and leadership to create meaningful solutions. 

Maya Qaddourah, biochemistry  

Dean’s Award, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 

Qaddourah has shown a remarkable commitment to leading efforts to support and encourage her peers and her community at a time when her peers were consumed by isolation, fear and self-doubt with all that is happening in the world. She did this all while balancing a heavy academic load and performing at an exceptionally high level in the classroom, demonstrating a deep commitment to interdisciplinary biochemical research that resulted in working in multiple labs across campus and bringing her research to the point of publication, almost unheard of at the undergraduate level.  

She also served as a teaching assistant in several advanced courses where it is unusual to have even one of these experiences. Even with such extraordinary academic and research accomplishments, what set Qaddourah apart was her insight into the importance of community and sense of belonging and her exceptional persistence that led her to develop a personal mission of leaving an enduring impact that fosters inclusivity, innovation and career readiness in STEM at CSUSM. 

Kate Carlson, master’s, kinesiology 

Dean’s Award, Graduate Studies 

Carlson’s work ethic, attention to detail, professionalism, communication, reliability, leadership and organization skills are impressive to her peers and professors.  

These qualities were on full display during Carlson’s thesis defense on Feb. 20. Following the presentation, the committee unanimously agreed that it was the most exceptional master’s thesis project, defense and written document they had encountered in their academic careers. One committee member even noted that Carlson’s performance was on par with Ph.D. dissertation defenses from former students who now hold full or associate professor positions at top-tier research institutions. 

Miyah Walker, psychological sciences 

Dean of Students Leadership Award 

Walker’s ability to provide a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for residents, while promoting wellness, has been a hallmark of her time as a resident adviser. Additionally, she has demonstrated exceptional counseling, mentorship and facilitation skills, leading educational conversations that center on personal development, cultural understanding and co-curricular programming in a diverse learning environment. 

Walker is a rare student who has integrated her studies, co-curricular experiences and embodies a holistic student experience at CSUSM. She has taken what she has learned in psychology and applied it to her RA and peer educator roles. After graduation, in the near term, Miyah intends to become a registered behavioral technician to work with autistic children. Her long-term goal is to earn a doctoral degree and work in underserved communities as a psychologist. 

Learn more about Walker. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Nicolas Morales is a transfer from Northern Arizona University who came to CSUSM with a goal to become a physical therapist or physician’s assistant.

Both learned through faculty mentors about the existence of a new program to train students in research that would help them lessen the harmful effects of tobacco and vape use in their communities. It didn’t quite dovetail with their academic interests at the time, but both thought it sounded like a good opportunity to develop their research skills in an area that long has been vital to public health in the United States.

Now, almost two years later, Tran and Morales are not only graduating from CSUSM – Tran with a degree in psychology, Morales in kinesiology – but they are standouts in the first cohort of eight students to complete the Smoke and Vape Free Scholars Initiative Program for Reducing Tobacco Disease in Diverse Communities (SVFSIP). The initiative, which involves a partnership with UC San Diego, is the result of a four-year, $1.3 million grant from a state agency named the Tobacco Related Disease Research Program, or TRDRP.

The training opportunity is tailored to students from racial/ethnic minoritized, low-income or LGBTQ+ groups, the same populations that studies show are disproportionately targeted by tobacco companies and affected by tobacco-related disease.

Thanks in large part to their experience in SVFSIP over the last two years, Tran and Morales are headed to graduate school to continue their research in public health. This fall, Tran will begin pursuit of a Ph.D. in health psychology at UCLA, while Morales will start a Master of Public Health program at San Diego State, with a doctorate on the horizon for him as well.

“It’s been absolutely wonderful,” Tran said. “I really credit the program and my mentors for getting me to where I am and pushing me to the point where I can accomplish my next steps. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible.”

Said Morales: “Overall, I think the program was amazing. I got to meet remarkable people that hopefully are going to be colleagues in the future.”

The faculty who shepherded the inaugural cohort through SVFSIP (seven other students just finished their first of two years) are Kim Pulvers, a psychology professor who has devoted her career to tobacco-related research, and Richard Armenta, a kinesiology professor who’s the associate director for the Center for Training, Research and Educational Excellence (CTREE). SVFSIP is one of many programs housed within CTREE, the mission of which is to enhance the educational and research experiences of students from underserved backgrounds.

“Developing the resources to provide students a substantial training experience to grow as researchers and advocates reducing the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States has been very rewarding,” Pulvers said. “I am proud that the footprint for tobacco research at CSUSM has grown beyond the studies that I conduct and the students I personally mentor.”

The eight students who are the initial SVFSIP graduates spent their first year working with a mentor on research project related to prevention or treatment. During the recently completed second year, they worked with a community-based tobacco control specialist on a local advocacy project. Throughout the program, they received an annual stipend and a discount of 50% on tuition.

For her research year, Tran was paired with Pulvers on two studies. The first examined the relationship between the age that a person first uses cannabis and their current level of abuse, and whether anxiety or depression helps explain that relationship. The second explored behavioral economic demand for cannabis and tobacco among young adults.

For her advocacy year that is wrapping up this month, Tran worked for the California Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN), investigating the legality of tobacco sales to several college campuses in the state. In between, she was selected for a competitive internship last summer with the National Cancer Institute in Maryland, a 10-week assignment that was extended into the entire academic year based on the quality of her research output.

In his first year, Morales was mentored by Eric Leas, a public health professor at UCSD. His two research projects concerned the self-reporting of adverse effects from the use of delta-8 THC, a psychoactive substance found in cannabis, and searching for loopholes in the enforcement of the ban on flavored vape products in California. The latter study was published in the online journal Tobacco Control.

After a summer internship in which he continued his research with Leas at UCSD, Morales for his advocacy year worked at the Institute for Public Health at SDSU. There, he collected data on the extent to which current and former tobacco users are up to date on non-lung-related cancer screenings, since tobacco use increases the likelihood of developing more than a dozen different types of cancer.  

Morales says his curiosity with this line of research stems from his own history as a smoker of both cigarettes and vapes.

“I felt like it was affecting my physical and mental health as well as affecting the people around me,” he said. “I wanted to get out of that, and I pulled myself out of it. So when I found out about the TRDRP scholars program, it particularly sparked my interest just from my previous use.”

Pulvers credited the training and mentorship provided by CTREE, led by Armenta and biology professor Denise Garcia, the co-direction of research internships by UCSD faculty member Dennis Trinidad, and the support of community partners like CYAN, Vista Community Clinic and SAY San Diego for the success of SVFSIP thus far.

“The level of student training in tobacco prevention and treatment research and advocacy and student outcomes achieved would not be possible without the time and talent of our research and advocacy mentors,” Pulvers said.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

But Abraham isn’t trying to make a fashion statement. After undergoing radiation therapy as a teenager, she has a 75% higher risk of skin cancer. And when she removes the head covering that she’s chosen for a particular day, she can adjust her hair to show the C-shaped scar where doctors cut open the top of her head to perform brain surgery when she was 12 years old.

It has been nearly a decade since the surgery, and, not surprisingly, the experience has completely altered the course of Abraham’s life. Before the surgery, she was a Level 9 competitive gymnast, meaning she was on a path to try out for the Elite program from which U.S. Olympic gymnasts are selected. While that dream ended because of her health issues, the experience opened Abraham’s eyes to her future career.

“I've known that I've wanted to be a nurse since I got sick,” said Abraham, a first-generation college student who is graduating from CSUSM this month with a bachelor’s in kinesiology. “After the second time I got sick, I knew that was probably my calling. Before that, I was in the gym eight hours a day training five days a week, sometimes six, and that was my career. And then everything just kind of came to a halt once I got diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“I had the light-bulb moment during proton radiation therapy in 2016 after the second surgery. My nurses in both years when I was sick always made an impact on me. It always felt like home being in the hospital for some reason. It was such a connection that I had with those nurses. I cried when I was done with therapy and I rang that bell that they have you ring. I was so happy but also upset because I wasn't going to see them anymore. It was like I was losing a part of my family in a way.”

Abraham has been laser-focused on a nursing career ever since.

Abraham was still a tween when she began suffering a variety of ailments – including headaches, double vision, and back and stomach pain. She figured it must be related to her intense gymnastics training or puberty. A visit to an eye doctor changed everything. Abraham was diagnosed with papilledema, a swelling of the optic discs in the eyes. The doctor said Abraham needed to go to the emergency room immediately because of related pressure on the brain.

An MRI revealed the brain tumor. Doctors initially thought they were dealing with a common benign tumor, but a surgery that was expected to last five hours took more than eight as they discovered it was a central neurocytoma tumor, which is rare in children. It’s so rare that Abraham’s doctors published a case report about it in BMJ, an international peer-reviewed journal.

A groggy Abraham actually woke up toward the end of the procedure as the doctor was putting stitches in her head. Abraham, whose head and upper body were mobilized to ensure that she didn’t move during the procedure, asked her doctor if he could scratch her nose, which was bothering her. The doctor politely declined, noting that he was a tad busy. So, Abraham, ever the gymnast, lifted her knee to her nose, scratched it and put her leg back down.

“He stopped what he was doing, looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘Did you really just do that?’ I’m drunk on anesthesia, groggy and don't know what's going on and said, 'I think so.' And then I was out. That was the first thing he told my parents when he came out to speak to them.”

When Abraham was fully awake following the surgery, she was paralyzed on the left side of her body. Rigorous physical therapy helped her regain use of her left side and she even returned to gymnastics.

But during one of her follow-up appointments, doctors discovered a regrowth. Abraham underwent a second surgery a year after her first. This time, doctors were unable to remove it completely due to its proximity to the hypothalamus, which controls things like heart rate and hormonal release.

Abraham underwent proton radiation therapy to eradicate the remaining tumor and tried again to return to gymnastics. But one of the lingering effects of Abraham’s paralysis after her first surgery is drop foot syndrome, which means she can’t always lift the front part of the foot. As she increasingly had accidents while performing routines, she realized she had to retire from the sport she loved.

Nurses were a consistently positive presence throughout Abraham’s medical journey, and with Olympic dreams no longer a possibility, she turned her attention to a new goal. Figuring out how to finance that goal was a challenge for someone from a low-income background, but Abraham’s medical team stepped in to help.

Abraham was referred by her neuro oncologist to Make-A-Wish San Diego, which empowers children battling critical illnesses by granting them a wish. Make-A-Wish granted Abraham’s request for a scholarship to help pay for college, providing a $10,000 grant that covered costs for Abraham’s first year at CSUSM.

With many nursing programs in the state impacted, Abraham decided to major in kinesiology. She’s working her way through nursing prerequisites with an eye on starting a program in spring 2025. That would put her on track for two milestones in 2026 – a nursing degree and being officially clear medically. Doctors wanted Abraham checked annually for 10 years following the second surgery because of the regrowth, but the hope is that she will be declared clear in December 2026 and can fully focus on the next chapter of her life – helping others the way so many nurses helped her.

“What better profession for me to go into than nursing?” she said. “I know what kids are going to be going through and I know how to prepare them for it. I know how to be there for them and hopefully make them feel better and more comfortable. I can let them know, ‘Hey, I've been through this, too.’ ”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

After graduating from the university in December 2013, Anderson was scheduled to walk the following spring, but her husband’s military assignment to Japan combined with the Cocos Fire to scuttle her plan.

Anderson will have not one, not two, but three chances to rectify that disappointment in the near future. All three of her children followed in her footsteps and are on track to join her as CSUSM alumni within the next 18 months.

Ian Anderson, the middle child at 22, is a senior who will graduate with an electrical engineering degree in May.

Mason Anderson, the oldest at 23, is a second-semester junior who’s set to earn a degree in management information systems in December 2024.

And Miah Anderson, the youngest at 20, is in her first semester at CSUSM after transferring from Vanguard University. A kinesiology major, she’s due to graduate in May 2025.

“It feels surreal,” Bridget said. “I am so incredibly proud of my kids. I can’t believe that they’re all going to the same university that I went to.”

Bridget enrolled at CSUSM in 2009, when all three of her children were in elementary school and she finally had time to devote to her education. But the challenges were many. Soon after she started, the family moved from Camp Pendleton to Murrieta, and not only did she have to make the hour-long commute to San Marcos, but she had to squeeze all her classes into the periods between when she dropped the kids off in the morning and picked them up in the afternoon.

“It was a lot,” she said. “Sometimes I was on campus every day, Monday through Friday, because I didn't have the option of taking an evening class. There were many late nights and sleepless nights.”

Making the situation even more trying was that Bridget’s husband, Jason, served multiple Marine deployments in the Middle East, leaving her as the sole parent and without a ready outlet to vent her frustrations and emotional struggles. If she felt overtaxed, however, she did an exemplary job of shielding it from her kids.

“She’s such a strong woman,” Miah said. “She put on a brave face, and I never really felt when she was stressed out. I felt just like a normal kid.”

Bridget earned a degree in liberal studies with a focus on elementary education. After teaching for a few years, she decided to change her career path during the pandemic, taking advantage of the explosion of online learning to pursue a master’s in social work from Arizona State. She finished the program in August 2022, and after serving as a social work intern in the Borrego Springs school district, she accepted a job last summer as a behavioral health clinician with Indian Health Council. She now does therapy for members of the nine federally recognized American Indian tribes in the North County region.

It's a particularly meaningful role for Bridget, who is half Navajo and was born and raised in Flagstaff, Ariz., just southwest of the enormous Navajo Nation that encompasses parts of three states. Her mother grew up in Navajo Nation and was sent to Indian boarding school, and Bridget remembers going to powwows and visiting relatives on the reservation.

“We were always involved,” she said.

Her children had a different experience, though, as the itinerant nature of military life caused the family’s ties to American Indian culture to unravel. Bridget made a concerted effort to reconnect with her roots at CSUSM by taking several courses taught by Joely Proudfit, the chair of American Indian studies and the director of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) at the university.

Now Bridget is encouraging her kids to tap into their heritage as well. Along with their mom, all three of the siblings this fall attended a community welcome for the CICSC, where they spoke with Proudfit and Ilianna Ramirez, the new American Indian student success coordinator. They also either have joined or shown interest in joining the American Indian Student Alliance (AISA).

“I identify as a Native American, but it’s not anything I’ve put a lot of effort into being connected to,” Ian said. “That’s something I’m trying to change.”

Said Miah: “AISA is a really good community to be aligned with because they’re so accepting. They understand that everyone comes from a different background and that being connected with your culture is important. They try to create a comfortable and safe space for students to come into.”

While they go through the process of securing their American Indian census numbers, Mason, Ian and Miah are enjoying their time as students at CSUSM. Mason is a Marine Corps reservist who aims to enter the field of cybersecurity. Ian is part of the university’s first cohort of electrical engineering students (president of the electrical engineering club, to boot), and he plans to pursue a master’s in the discipline. Miah, who transferred to CSUSM because she liked its size and sense of community, wants to become a physical therapist.

All three are commuting from the family home in Murrieta, though Bridget jokes that she wishes they would carpool more. Their divergent schedules mean that their on-campus interactions sometimes consist of little more than high-fiving each other on the way to or from the parking lot.

“But all being at CSUSM does bring us closer together,” Mason said. “When we’re home now, we know what each other are going through, and we can see each other thrive in different ways. We’re all going to be doing our own thing soon, so it’s nice to be able to soak in our last hurrah as siblings living together and going to college together.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Rasmus Clausen compared the magnitude of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption between sprint interval training on the cycle and rowing ergometer.  

Exercise elicits excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, which leads to more calories burned after exercise. It is thought that this may lead to long-term weight loss. Sprint interval training leads to significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, glycemic control and body composition while requiring as little as one minute of exercise per day. Participants showed significantly greater calories expended during rowing compared to cycling, yet a greater excess post-exercise oxygen consumption occurred after cycling, which has implications for the use of interval training for weight control.

Leah Coe’s manuscript, “Sex differences in hemodynamic response to high-intensity interval exercise,” was published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. 

Coe's thesis was based on prior data showing superior increases in cardiorespiratory fitness in men versus women completing regular aerobic as well as interval exercise, which suggests that lower health and fitness-related adaptations are accrued in women.  She evaluated potential differences in the primary determinant of cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiac output, in response to various regimens of high-intensity interval training in 15 men and 13 women.  

Coe's data showed that men and women had a similar cardiac response to the exercise bouts, suggesting that previously reported differences in the adaptive response to training between men and women may not be related to the acute cardiovascular response to exercise.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, Wiles decided to further his education and pursue a master’s in the same subject, also at CSUSM. His master's thesis explored the impact of a novel wetsuit material on paddling from a biomechanical perspective.

Wiles' dedication and exceptional research capabilities during his graduate studies earned him several accolades, including the Outstanding Graduate Student Award, and funding for most of his master's degree.

Embarking on a new chapter in his academic journey, Wiles is now a student at the University of Nebraska Omaha, working under the guidance of esteemed professors Aaron Likens and Nick Stergiou.

Throughout his Ph.D. program, Wiles has continued to distinguish himself, earning noteworthy recognition such as a NASA fellowship, multiple travel-related grants and an outstanding poster award for one of his projects. As a doctoral student, Wiles wears many hats, engaging in a diverse range of activities. These include taking courses, conducting research, teaching, participating in volunteer outreach, creating and presenting workshops, and offering assistance to fellow students and professors within his department.

Wiles’ primary area of focus and passion lies in the study of human movement variability. He’s leading four research projects, including a significant undertaking sponsored by the National Science Foundation. This ambitious project aims to determine whether the way people walk is distinct, consistent and identifiable, like a fingerprint. Additionally, the research initiative involves establishing best practices for nonlinear analyses, contributing to advancements in the field.

Furthermore, Wiles' doctoral dissertation investigates how variability in walking patterns may influence the perception of distance. Wiles also leads a NASA-sponsored fellowship focused on developing new materials to protect against heat stress, and he’s exploring the influence of walking and running patterns on the transition between the two modes.

When asked about the inspiration behind his career path, Wiles credits his former advisers, kinesiology professors Jeff Nessler and Sean Newcomer, for their influential guidance at CSUSM.

“He always was intrinsically motivated, asked the right questions and wanted to be involved in all our research projects regardless of the time commitment,” Newcomer said of Wiles. “He truly was an outstanding student and scholar.”

Wiles’ love for science and research, combined with the unique application of these disciplines to surfing, propelled him toward his chosen path. Despite being geographically distant from the ocean in Nebraska, he remains determined to return to surfing research in the future. Nonlinear analyses and human movement variability also have become significant driving forces in his ongoing work.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Wiles finds enjoyment in skateboarding during breaks from his work. Residing in Omaha provides him with an environment conducive to focused research, with minimal distractions that allow him to devote long hours to his studies.

With his exceptional accomplishments and dedication to advancing the field of biomechanics, Wiles continues to make impressive strides in the realm of human movement variability research.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Now, the CSUSM student has gotten a leg up on the career she intends to pursue in the industry after she graduates.

Schuerger, a junior kinesiology major, has received the Advancement of Women in Racing Scholarship from the Jockey Club, an organization that dates to the 19^th century and is dedicated to the improvement of thoroughbred breeding and racing. The scholarship award is $20,000 for one year, or $10,000 per semester.

“I am extremely grateful for earning this scholarship,” said Schuerger, who also has a minor in business administration. “I am still in disbelief sometimes. This scholarship will help me tremendously in pursuing my academic goals with less financial trouble. I am very thankful to those who have supported me in my academic, athletic and career endeavors. Those individuals have played huge roles in my path to success in life.”

Schuerger is from Aliso Viejo and is a runner on the CSUSM cross country and track and field teams. But it’s a different type of running that really captures her imagination.

Growing up in Orange County, she was always interested in horse racing, especially the training and maintenance of racehorses. She didn’t live near any horse tracks, however, and was limited to following the sport through television and social media.

A big reason why Schuerger elected to attend CSUSM was because it’s relatively close to both a major track (at the Del Mar Fairgrounds) and training center (San Luis Rey Downs in Bonsall). Since her freshman year, she has worked for several trainers at San Luis Rey Downs as a racehorse caretaker. On the side, she has worked for a different trainer at a nearby ranch, where she learned to ride and train younger thoroughbreds to be racehorses.

“I absolutely love working with horses,” she said. “Also, working within the horse racing business is like no other. As a favorite book of mine describes it, ‘Horse racing is full of interesting, unique characters and has a mysterious, romantic mystique about it that is compelling, if not addictive.’ ”

Schuerger said she picked kinesiology as her major because the field is a great way to supplement the art of training horses with a knowledge of exercise science to underpin it. Her faculty mentor is Sean Newcomer, the chair of the kinesiology department.

This summer, Schuerger plans to work as an intern for six weeks at New Bolton Center, the 700-acre campus of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and one of the busiest teaching veterinary clinics in the nation.

“At this internship, I will help conduct research regarding how different pharmaceuticals affect racehorse performance via exercise testing,” she said. “Another aspect of the research is to find ways to detect these pharmaceuticals with new drug testing techniques or through detecting abnormal biological markers within the horse.” 

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Bob Smetanka is all too familiar with that. He joined the Marines during his last year of high school, just before Sept. 11, and served for five years, mostly at Camp Pendleton. He sprained his ankle multiple times. He hurt his shoulder. Nearly two decades later, he deals with persistent pain in his knees and lower back. 

Back then, Smetanka was on the receiving end of military injuries. These days, he’s doing his part to help the next generation of service members and veterans avoid the same fate.  

Smetanka is putting his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in kinesiology from Cal State San Marcos to good use, working for a nonprofit organization that operates out of Naval Medical Center San Diego and conducts research to advance military medicine.  

“My knees and ankles and shoulder are all jacked up from my time in the Marines,” Smetanka said. “That was almost 20 years ago, so I hope we would have better information now. But being a part of getting that information and providing it to the guys who come in 20 years later, it’s nice to know that someone is doing it.” 

Smetanka, a New Jersey native who earned his bachelor’s in 2017 and master’s in 2019, is in his second year as the research program coordinator for the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, a Maryland-based organization that sponsors research in support of military health around the globe. After first being hired by the foundation to work in the infectious diseases department (in a quirk of timing, that happened right before the pandemic hit, and he spent a year doing early research on COVID-19), Smetanka moved in February 2021 to the Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence (EACE).  

In his current role, he works with a team of eight on studies of active military and veterans who have sustained injuries or had limbs amputated. Aided by his research experience from CSUSM, Smetanka does a lot of data collection and analysis, but as the only veteran in his office, he’s also leaned on to recruit military members for studies.  

“Having that connection with patients who are coming in makes it so much easier to talk to them,” he said. “I know where they’re coming from. I know what they’ve done.” 

Smetanka is currently juggling several research projects, including one on lower back pain and how successfully physical therapy addresses it, one in which a special treadmill featuring the type of grips found on a rock climbing wall is utilized to help prevent ankle sprains, and one that involves giving stem cell injections to amputees to try to make the skin on the bottom of their stumps more resilient and less prone to abrasions and subsequent infections. The last of those is a partnership with Johns Hopkins University.   

The findings of this and other research might not benefit Smetanka himself. But he likes to think about the potential impact on his two younger brothers. One is a full-time member of the National Guard, and the other is stationed in Hawaii with the Air Force.  

“My brother in the Air Force is 16 years younger than me,” Smetanka said. “If he were to become injured – whether it’s a busted knee, busted ankle, an amputation – I feel like the information I’m gathering, the studies that I’m working on could help him and future generations of the military. I want them to get the treatment that I wasn’t able to.”  

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Thum’s injuries left him in a wheelchair, wondering if he would ever walk again.

A year after the accident, after months of grueling rehabilitation, Thum was out of the wheelchair and had two goals: He wanted to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650-mile journey from the U.S.-Mexico border to British Columbia, Canada, and he wanted to become a surgeon to help others the way doctors helped him.

Thum tackled the Pacific Crest Trail shortly after graduating from Cal State San Marcos in 2016. Though he ended his quest to complete the journey about 60 miles from the finish because of dangerous snow conditions, the experience continues to positively impact his life. It has even played a role in helping him achieve the second goal – even if that second goal changed as he learned more about himself.

Today, Thum is “Dr. Thum.” He graduated from the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in Las Cruces, N.M., and is preparing for his residency at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. But instead of entering that residency as a surgeon, as he thought he would when he began medical school, Thum is doing so as an anesthesiologist, which became a passion for him during his clinical rotations as a medical student.

“After my accident, I thought I wanted to be a surgeon,” Thum said, “until I actually started living their lives as a medical student. What they do is incredible, but it’s a really intense field that would not be sustainable for me. I learned so much from being in the OR, but having time away from medicine is also important.”

It was during a surgery rotation that Thum was inspired to pursue becoming an anesthesiologist. While Thum was in the OR waiting for the surgeon, the anesthesiologist on duty asked him if he wanted to try to intubate the patient.

Thum jumped at the opportunity. The anesthesiologist walked him through the steps before letting him attempt to put the tube down the patient’s throat. The results didn’t exactly go as planned.

“I've watched them do it before, and they just do it so smoothly,” he said. “I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, that looks simple. I could totally do that.’ And I just totally screwed it up.”

Instead of berating Thum, the anesthesiologist showed him how to correct the mistake. It was an interaction that made a lasting impression, one that led Thum to change his medical specialty.

It is that type of mentorship that Thum enjoyed during his time as an undergraduate student at CSUSM. Thum credits people like kinesiology professor Todd Astorino and chemistry professor Jackie Trischman, who is now the dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, for helping him reach this point.

“I still have a strong emotional tie to CSUSM,” said Thum, who earned his bachelor’s in kinesiology with minors in chemistry and Spanish. “I just feel like I really kind of got serious about my career there. I met a lot of really amazing mentors during my time there.”

Thum encourages other CSUSM students who have an interest in pursuing medicine to focus less on where they attend school and place more emphasis on their residency.

“In the end, it really comes down to how hard you're willing to work and how much responsibility you're willing to take for your own learning,” he said. “That's pretty much the bottom line. And I felt like I took that on as eagerly as I could when I was in New Mexico. The United States Medical Licensing Examinations are all standardized, so it doesn't really matter if you're from Las Cruces, N.M., or if you're from a big-name school in San Diego. It all just comes down to how much you're willing to work.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The four-year grant funded by the California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program is a partnership with UC San Diego. It’s called the CSUSM/UCSD Smoke and Vape Free Scholars Initiative Program for Reducing Tobacco Disease in Diverse Communities (SVFSIP).

The training opportunity is tailored to students from racial/ethnic minoritized, low-income or LGBTQ+ groups, the same populations that studies show are disproportionately targeted by tobacco companies and affected by tobacco-related disease.

“I am delighted to bring a training program dedicated to addressing tobacco-related health disparities to our campus,” said Kim Pulvers, a CSUSM psychology professor and the CSU principal investigator for the grant. “I am passionate about this issue and am so excited to have the necessary resources to provide students a substantial training experience. Personally, it will be extremely rewarding to work with students toward the common goal of reducing the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. I am looking forward to teaching them best practices in tobacco research, placing them into great internships, and promoting their success in graduate school and careers.”

Pulvers procured the grant along with CSUSM kinesiology professor Richard Armenta. Pulvers will coordinate the administrative functions of the program, while Armenta will recruit prospective students and support them during their time in the program.  

The principal investigator from UCSD is Dennis Trinidad, a professor of family medicine and public health who previously has collaborated with both Pulvers and Armenta.

The grant will support the training of 15 CSUSM students across two cohorts beginning this August. Students will spend the first year working with a research mentor on an individual prevention or treatment research project. During the second year, they will work with a community-based tobacco control specialist on a local advocacy project.

Throughout the two-year term, the students will receive structured education through a research class and weekly seminars and workshops on tobacco control topics and professional development, and receive academic advising, networking and career guidance.

The program will be run through CSUSM’s Office for Training, Research and Education in the Sciences (OTRES).   

“This program is a great addition to the other training programs we have at CSUSM and fills a gap in our existing programs,” Armenta said. “We are excited that CSUSM students will have the opportunity to work with amazing research and advocacy mentors to address tobacco-related disparities that their own communities face.” 

To be eligible to participate, students must be a member of a racial or ethnic minoritized, low-income or LGBTQ+ group; have an interest in health research or advocacy; and have two years remaining to complete an undergraduate or master’s degree at CSUSM. Selected students will receive an annual stipend of up to $14,760 for two years and 50% tuition and fees coverage for two years.

For more information about the program or application process, go to the OTRES website.

But there’s no event bigger than the one Drumm umpired last month – the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Drumm was one of 11 softball umpires selected to work the Olympics and the only one from the United States.

It’s fitting that Drumm learned about her Olympic assignment while umpiring a game. In fact, it was during a softball scrimmage at Cal State San Marcos. The university is familiar territory for Drumm, who earned a bachelor’s in kinesiology and master’s in public health at CSUSM.

Drumm recently returned from Tokyo and shared her thoughts on her Olympic experience, her umpiring background and how some of the lessons she learned at CSUSM have helped her officiating career.

Question: When did umpiring the Olympics become a goal for you?

Christina Drumm: It was always a hope when I started working at the international level, and then softball was eliminated from the Olympics after 2008. When Tokyo announced that softball and baseball would be added in as exhibition sports in 2020, I felt that it was a realistic goal starting in 2016.

Q: How did you learn that you had been selected as an umpire for the Olympics?

CD: I was training and umpiring a scrimmage softball game at CSUSM. A good friend in the Athletics Department had seen other umpires had announced they had been selected. She was able to get some information and handed me a rolled paper between the fence when I was between innings. I opened the paper up, read the first few sentences that announced I was selected for the 2020 Olympic Games. I rolled the paper back up, handed it back to her and had a big smile on my face along with a lot of emotion running through me and went back to umpiring. Of course, there was a lot more celebrating later.

Q: What was the highlight of the Olympics and what, if anything, about the experience surprised you?

CD: How organized and collaborative the Japanese were from the time I got off my flight to when I left the airport and headed home. The process of verifying prior COVID tests to verifying paperwork and applications on phones to taking a COVID test at the airport with hundreds of people coming off planes was efficient. The Japanese who volunteered and/or worked the event were friendly, helpful and seemed very excited to be part of the event.

Q: How was the Olympic experience different from other high-level international competitions where you’ve been an umpire?

CD: The Olympic experience is closely monitored, daily COVID testing, not allowed to leave the hotel and no fans in the stands. The on-field experience was the same when calling balls, strikes, safes and outs.

Q: What inspired you to pursue umpiring?

CD: I started umpiring after college to earn extra money and I really enjoyed the experience – the camaraderie of the umpires, being able to teach/train and give back to the umpire community, and the interaction of the players, coaches and fans at all levels. It has become a passion hobby ever since.

Q: How did you decide to attend CSUSM?

CD: It was a university that was close and had smaller class sizes in my major. I felt it was a good fit.

Q: What made you decide to pursue a bachelor’s in kinesiology and an MPH?

CD: I love teaching and being active. Kinesiology has disciplines that can allow me to merge those together.

Q: Did you have any involvement with the CSUSM softball program while you were at the university?

CD: Not really. My local association will partner with the team to conduct some training for the umpires, which allows game situations for the team. I was able to invite the CSUSM softball team to have an exhibition game against the Olympic team before COVID shut things down. It was a great game to watch.

Q: Are there any lessons learned from your time at CSUSM that apply to your umpiring?

CD: Absolutely. Collaborating with diverse individuals is very important in both roles. I continued to work on my leadership skills when working with groups to achieve goals and the desired final product.

Q: Is there anything else from your Olympic experience or your time at CSUSM that people should know?

CD: My Olympic experience was very different from other Olympics, but it still was an amazing event. The teams played so competitive and cheered so loud that it felt like there were fans there. Being part of the bronze-medal game was extremely special.

I continued my education at CSUSM because of the support of the faculty; they are vested in students’ success. I had great professors who took time to apply all the new concepts to real-life situations so a graduate could leverage that information to improve community health.

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Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

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The paper – titled “Changes in VO2max and cardiac output in response to short-term high-intensity interval training in Caucasian and Hispanic young women: A pilot study” – compares responses to exercise training between Hispanic and Caucasian women. Additional authors on the paper include fellow CSUSM student Rasmus D. Clausen and kinesiology professor Todd Astorino.

Astorino noted the importance and relevance of the project because of CSUSM’s status as “a Hispanic-Serving Institution, the large prevalence of Hispanics in the San Diego region, and the marked health disparities which exist in this population.”

Astorino also had a paper published as a featured article in the January edition of Spinal Cord, an international journal that has published spinal cord-related papers since 1963. Astorino said the paper, titled “Viability of high intensity interval training in persons with spinal cord injury—a perspective review,” will be widely read by scientists who study the effects of physical activity on health status in those with spinal cord injuries who face enhanced risk of morbidity and mortality.

MPact names Spieldenner executive director

Communication professor Andrew Spieldenner has been named executive director of MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Rights, which “works at the intersection of sexual health and human rights and is linked to more than 120 community-based organizations in 62 countries who are leading innovative solutions to the challenges faced by LGBTI communities around the world.”

Veterans Center building net-zero

Solar panels at the Epstein Family Veterans Center are operational and the facility is now net-zero energy, meaning solar produces all the power needed to operate the building. The project was designed and constructed by Facilities, Development and Management.

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Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The students who contributed to the work included Kara Luong, Maya Saulino, Morgan Simmons and Carly Smith.

Sports Engineering noted that the strong field of finalists required a tiebreaker vote by Jonathan Shepherd, the president of the International Sports Engineering Association. The CSUSM team’s paper was only the second surfing manuscript ever published in Sports Engineering.

Social work professor named research fellow

Professor Jimmy Young is among 26 social work experts from across the U.S. and Canada selected as research fellows for the Social Work Health Futures Lab, which is sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and hosted at Portland State University.

Young will work on several projects and receive training to become a certified futurist during the 18-month fellowship.

Nursing program among best in West

The nursing program has been ranked 21^st in California and 44^th in the West by Nursing Schools Almanac, which recently released its 2020 rankings of the best U.S. nursing schools.

Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on more than 3,000 institutions, and only 20% made its list of the best nursing schools in each geographic region.

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Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The award includes a $1,500 stipend.

In its decision letter, the award committee noted, among other accomplishments, Armenta’s efforts advising a large and diverse group of students and the large range of disciplines these students come from, including epidemiology, public health and kinesiology.

Gamma Phi Beta honors FSL coordinator

Megan Ceppi, coordinator of Fraternity & Sorority Life, was selected to receive Gamma Phi Beta’s Outstanding Campus Professional Award, which recognizes a campus professional who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the fraternity and sorority community where a Gamma Phi Beta chapter is present.

The award letter noted that recipients are “recognized for their high professional standards, work with Gamma Phi Beta to strengthen and/or foster change in our local collegiate chapter and/or the Greek community, and for their commitment to fraternities and sororities on their campus while promoting the interfraternal community.”

CSUSM’s Gamma Phi Beta chapter launched last spring.

Tribal liaison appointed to California Truth & Healing Council

Tribal Liaison Tishmall Turner has been appointed to the California Truth & Healing Council by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The council is charged with “bearing witness to, recording, examining existing documentation of, and receiving California Native American narratives regarding the historical relationship between the State of California and California Native Americans in order to clarify the historical record of such relationship in the spirit of truth and healing.”

The council is required to report annually and submit a final written report of findings to the Office of the Tribal Advisor by Jan. 1, 2025.

Among nation’s best

CSUSM was ranked 43^rd for total bachelor’s degrees awarded in Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine’s list of “Top 100 Colleges and Universities for Hispanics 2020” and 64^th in total enrollment among four-year schools.

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Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

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Abraham’s life to that point had been devoted to gymnastics, the sport she loved and excelled at on a national level. At 12 years old in 2015, she was consistently winning competitions and posting impressive scores as a Level 9 gymnast, just one stage from reaching the final level in the Junior Olympics program. If she advanced to Level 10 and successfully performed all of the required skills, she would have an opportunity to try out for the Elite program – the group of gymnasts from which Olympians are selected.

“I was definitely planning on going to that Olympic level if I could,” Abraham said.

But Level 9 became Abraham’s final stop as a competitive gymnast. Not by her choosing or due to an inability to compete at such a high level. Instead, it was a diagnosis of central neurocytoma, a slow-growing brain tumor that is rare in children.

Abraham isn’t one to wallow in self-pity. She is grateful for the path she is on now as a freshman at Cal State San Marcos as she works toward her new goal. It’s a journey that has been made a little easier with help from Make-A-Wish San Diego.

“I want to be a nurse,” Abraham said. “I want to be able to give back to the community and really be able to give kids the same experience and the same love and care that I was given when I was first in the hospital.”

Abraham had no idea she was headed for that first hospital stay in June 2015. Though she had been dealing with a variety of ailments – including headaches, blurry vision and stomach pain – she figured they were simply part of her rigorous training or side effects of puberty. The issues got progressively worse throughout the spring, with Abraham even suffering from double vision.

“I didn't know what to make of it, so I just ignored it,” she said. “People always ask me, ‘How did you ignore that? That's such a big thing.’ And I don't know. I was just training. I was focused on the sport and every upcoming competition. I just didn't have time to think about it, and you think maybe it’s normal.”

It wasn’t until her final competition of the season that Abraham mentioned the double vision to her mother, Nicole. Abraham had concurrently been having bouts of severe back pain, and her sports doctor recommended she take a couple of weeks off.

Nicole used the break to take Abraham to an eye doctor, who diagnosed Abraham with a swollen optical nerve, which is a reaction to pressure on the brain. The doctor told Nicole that Abraham needed to go straight to the emergency room for an MRI, which revealed a tumor that was larger than a golf ball.

Abraham was transported that night to Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, where she underwent surgery for nearly eight hours to remove the tumor. When she woke up following the surgery, she was paralyzed on the left side of her body. Though doctors said the paralysis might last 8-12 months, Abraham was able to leave the hospital using a leg brace and a cane after 2½ months. Three more months of physical therapy followed before Abraham returned to gymnastics.

“I told my coach, ‘I'm coming back. I'm going to start training again,’ ” Abraham said. “And she looked at me like I was crazy. She was like, ‘Why would you come back? You almost died. This is crazy.’ And I said, ‘I don't know how to do anything else. This is my life.’ ”

Abraham eased back into training by focusing on conditioning and stretching while gradually adding to her workouts as her health improved.

But it all came to a halt after a follow-up scan in March 2016 showed a regrowth of the tumor. A month later, it had doubled in size. In July – barely a year after her first operation – Abraham underwent surgery again. Doctors couldn’t completely remove the tumor because part of it was located near the hypothalamus, which plays a vital role in many functions of the body. Abraham had to undergo nearly two months of proton therapy, a form of radiation therapy that uses protons to treat cancer.

Abraham returned to the gym again after completing her treatments, but persisting through daily, seven-hour gymnastics training sessions proved difficult. She also suffered from drop foot syndrome, which meant that her leg was prone to giving out from fatigue – a dangerous prospect for someone performing complex, high-level gymnastics routines.

“I would be training and then all of a sudden my leg would just give out and I would fall,” she said. “I needed to retire. I don't like saying ‘quit’ because I didn't quit the sport. But I didn't want to put my coaches at risk or my teammates at risk or myself at risk anymore, so I retired.”

It has been three years since Abraham stepped away. She stays active by working out at home and going on hikes and bike rides. But it still feels strange to her after so many years dedicated to gymnastics.

Focusing on the next stage of her life helps. Abraham, whose family lives in Escondido, wanted to remain in California for college, and she knew that she wanted to pursue a career as a pediatric nurse. Though many nursing programs in the state are impacted, CSUSM offered an alternative that no other university did – an opportunity to major in kinesiology. Abraham had never entertained the thought of majoring in something other than nursing, but the more she looked into the kinesiology program, the more she realized it would be a perfect fit.

Abraham soon received two more welcome surprises.

The first was learning that she had been accepted to CSUSM’s TRIO Student Support Services, a program funded by the U.S. Department of Education to support students who meet at least one of the following criteria: They come from a low-income background, they are a first-generation college student and/or they have a verified disability. The program offers academic, personal and professional support to increase the retention and graduation rates of participants.

“In only four months, Juliana has been an outstanding TRIO SSS student,” said Perla Rivas, a TRIO SSS counselor. “I spend considerable time working with the scholars in various workshops and other activities, and it was quickly obvious to me that Juliana is bright, inquisitive and motivated. If you gave 100 students a rare learning opportunity, you would walk away realizing Juliana was the most appreciative, eager and excited student of the group.”

The other surprise came during one of Abraham’s check-ups with her neuro oncologist. He wanted to refer her to Make-A-Wish, which works to empower children battling critical illness by granting them a wish. Abraham is determined to graduate from college without debt, so she asked if a college scholarship or grant was possible. A short time later, she learned that she was receiving a $10,000 grant from Make-A-Wish, funds already helping to cover costs of her first semester at CSUSM.

Despite the roller coaster of the past five years, Abraham wouldn’t change a thing. Her future may look different than what she imagined before her initial diagnosis, but she knows it’s a future that remains bright.

“I always look back at it now and I’m so grateful that I went through it because I would have never been able to meet the people I've met, been through the experiences I've been through,” she said. “I've made so many connections in the medical community and with my doctors. My neurosurgeon and my neuro oncologist are like uncles to me. I love them to death. There's so many little things that I would have never experienced if I didn't go through what I went through.”

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Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

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“It was really bad,” said Hansen, who adds that the injury required three surgeries. “She also messed up her meniscus (cartilage between the shinbone and the thighbone). We’ve been in and out of physical therapy clinics for years. It’s something that bothers her every day.” 

Hansen’s family does not simply aspire to an active life. Rather, it is their way of life. The family lives and homeschools in Menifee, where Megan, her two sisters, Natalie and Tara, and parents, Celoa and Kevin, have all trained and competed for years in martial arts, tennis and running. Kevin — a tennis and cross country/track athlete in high school and college — is their tennis and running coach. 

Without an organized team, the sisters started competing in community races like the Mission Inn Run in downtown Riverside. Megan has taken first place for females overall in the half marathon for each of the three years she has run that distance.

As a third-degree black belt in taekwondo and a second-degree black belt in both karate and kobudo, Hansen not only competed in tournaments but also taught classes, which she loved. Ultimately, though, she realized that her passion is in working with athletes as a physical therapist. That made undergraduate studies in kinesiology at CSUSM Temecula Campus a natural fit for her. 

“I wanted to study kinesiology to help athletes like myself,” she said. “One of the worst things to deal with is an injury and then to have something you’re passionate about taken away from you.” 

Hansen and her sister, Natalie, have had some short-term experience with recuperation from stress fractures, but have healed and continued competing. Turns out, the kinesiology coursework is benefiting the entire family. 

“It’s a universal thing we can all talk about,” Hansen said, explaining that her nutrition, anatomy and physiology lessons have informed the family’s prevention, training and recovery routines. “I love learning the mechanics behind everything in the body. Movement anatomy was one of my favorite classes ever. It was amazing.” 

With the Temecula campus less than 30 minutes from home, it’s an easy commute, and Hansen is able to save on rent while she continues to train with her family. The guaranteed classes and time to graduation are the perfect complement for this natural planner, who also trains an average of two hours a day and was working most nights as a restaurant hostess until COVID-19 affected operations. 

Less than a year to earning her bachelor’s degree, Hansen is considering a master’s degree or a Ph.D. program as her next step, still with the ultimate goal of becoming a physical therapist. 

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was 10,” she says. “This degree is a huge steppingstone to be able to get into the field I’ve aspired to my entire life. It will be such a reward. All of that hard work truly pays off.” 

For more information about the BS in Kinesiology: Health Science Option, please visit csusm.edu/el/kines. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

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Konane Martinez, the chair of the anthropology department, anthropology professor Laurette McGuire and kinesiology professor Richard Armenta are all invited members of San Diego County’s Regional COVID-19 Taskforce for Equitable Recovery. The group was formed over the summer and is being led by Nathan Fletcher, a county supervisor.  

The three faculty members are lending their expertise in health disparities and inequities to a data subcommittee, which advises the larger task force and county supervisors on the importance of COVID-related data transparency as well as messaging related to the pronounced COVID health disparities impacting local underserved, migrant, tribal, racial and ethnic communities.  

The subcommittee is also developing a plan to work collaboratively with community organizations and members to ensure equitable access to information, data, testing and future vaccines.  

Martinez, McGuire and Armenta all joined the task force in July, and since then they have participated in bimonthly meetings. Martinez said she was invited after expressing concerns to colleagues at the county’s Health and Human Services Agency about how data on the growing and disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases among Latino communities was being presented to the public.  

Latinos comprise 62.8% of COVID-19 cases and 47.7% of COVID-19 deaths in the county, even though they represent only 32.6% of the population, according to Martinez. She is an applied medical anthropologist with more than 20 years of experience working with Latino immigrant communities in the U.S.-Mexico border region. 

“My lifelong work has been to understand complex social, economic and structural conditions that lead to these disproportionate outcomes,’ Martinez said. “I hope that my perspective can help the county understand that this is a social justice issue that can aid in seeking solutions to increase access to information, testing and treatment for all communities.

“I am also very concerned by the lack of testing happening in the North County region. We believe that data may be lacking in terms of the prevalence of COVID-19 in the tribal regions as well as among Latino communities.”  

McGuire specializes in medical and indigenous anthropology. Her research lies at the intersection of biomedicine, genetics and race, exploring how race, class and knowledge are co-produced through medical discourse.  

“Many of us have been working on the impact of structural racism on health outcomes in communities of color for years,” McGuire said. “COVID-19 and the historical moment in which we live has brought the impact of structural racism on the health of Black and brown people to national attention.” 

Armenta conducts research on health disparities among Hispanic and American Indian communities, with a primary focus on substance abuse and infectious disease transmission prevention. He said he was invited to serve on the committee because of his expertise in tribal epidemiology and from working with the local tribal community to improve health equity. 

“The task force is crucial to ensure the equitable allocation of resources and collection of data to understand the impact of COVID-19 in minoritized and underserved communities,” Armenta said. “Our work is helping inform how data is used to address gaps in testing, treatment and care for the disease.” 

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Honorees were nominated by faculty or staff and endorsed by their college’s dean. Here is a closer look at each award recipient:

Lauren Tafla, applied physics

President's Outstanding Graduate

Dean’s Award, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Tafla has demonstrated excellence academically and through her research experiences, including her selection as a Summer Scholar in 2018. An enthusiastic learner with an impeccable work ethic, Tafla quickly mastered the experiments in CSUSM’s Astrophysics and Isotope Geochemistry Lab.

Tafla also has impressed with her leadership skills and deep commitment to sustainability, diversity and inclusion. As a member and president of the campus’ Sustainability Club, Tafla represented student interests on the smoke- and tobacco-free campus task force. She wrote letters to congressional representatives about needed environmental policy changes related to climate change and organized a “sustainable speaker series” to host documentary screenings and speakers.

Among her many accomplishments, Tafla has served as president of the Society of Physics Students, worked as a program facilitator for the San Diego-based nonprofit Treobytes and helped start a Women in Physics group at CSUSM.

Read more about Tafla here.

Margaret Morumbasi, special education credential

Dean’s Award, College of Education, Health and Human Services

In a competitive field of CEHHS candidates that included undergraduate, credential, graduate and doctoral students, Morumbasi stood out for her combination of academic excellence, service and leadership.

Drawing on her personal experiences in Kenya, Morumbasi has participated in numerous regional and national initiatives in support of individuals with disabilities in her country. Her work has contributed to the national discourse on disability awareness in Kenya.

Morumbasi is working full-time as a special educator while simultaneously completing her credential coursework at CSUSM. She has maintained a 3.9 grade-point average and has been invaluable in sharing her knowledge gleaned through her international research on disability awareness.

Nasdira Romero Saravia, child and adolescent development

Dean’s Award, College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences

An active researcher and community activist, Romero Saravia overcame numerous challenges to earn her bachelor’s last December. Romero Saravia persisted despite contending with challenges that included domestic violence, homelessness and being the single parent of a child with special needs. She made the dean’s list every semester at CSUSM and obtained a coveted research position in the psychology department.

Having her own child with special needs turned her interest toward a degree in child and adolescent development, and she has performed valuable work as a research assistant in a cultural perinatal mental health study.

The first in her family to graduate from high school and pursue a college education, Romero Saravia is applying to Ph.D. programs in health policy.

Erika Venegas, marketing

Dean’s Award, College of Business Administration

Venegas has achieved an overall grade-point average of 3.75 and has made the dean’s list every semester since arriving at CSUSM in 2016.

As president of the Latino Business Student Association (LBSA), Venegas expanded the organization’s reach beyond the business discipline to bring professional development opportunities to students of all majors throughout the university. Venegas has made it a priority to reach out across campus to collaborate with the Career Center and the Latin@ Center to extend the impact of LBSA beyond CoBA.

Venegas’ achievements also include founding Lean In CSUSM, a women’s empowerment program offered by the Gender Equity Center; volunteering at CoBA’s Senior Experience Trade Show two straight years; and leading CoBA’s student organization retreat.

Jessica Atencio, kinesiology

Dean’s Award, Graduate Studies

Atencio has excelled academically (she will graduate with a 3.95 grade-point average) and in her research endeavors.

As part of her master’s program requirements, Atencio did her thesis based on her research investigating fluid balance during aquatic exercise. Atencio collected data locally and in Costa Rica on more than 300 research subjects, and she has presented her research at multiple regional and national conferences.

Atencio will continue her education this fall at the University of Oregon, where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in human physiology.

Read more about Atencio here.

Ashley Persson, political science

Dean of Students Outstanding Leadership Award

Persson has made lasting contributions to student life at CSUSM through her involvement with Fraternity & Sorority Life and Residential Education.

With an unwavering commitment to excellence in leadership, Persson has held roles that include serving as Order of Omega Chi Lambda chapter president, Delta Zeta Pi Psi chapter global ambassador (former chapter president), and a senior resident adviser in Housing and Residential Education.

Persson has excelled in myriad other ways, including through officer roles with Delta Zeta, earning Order of Omega Honor and Leadership Society, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and dean’s list recognition for several semesters. A cancer survivor, Persson also volunteers with the National Children’s Cancer Society.

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But Atencio has found a silver lining.

“I’ve been able to focus on thesis writing,” Atencio said. “I can get distracted at times, so just being forced to stay at home and put all my energy into that has been really good.”

Atencio’s efforts have certainly paid off. Not only will she graduate from Cal State San Marcos this month with her master’s in kinesiology, she also was recently named the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Graduate Studies, an annual honor recognizing one graduate student for excellence in academic, professional and service activities.

“Jessica is enthusiastic, energetic, positive and an exceptionally well-rounded student,” kinesiology professor Sean Newcomer said. “I am continually impressed with the diversity of her talents.

“She has performed extremely well in the classroom, and faculty members continually comment on her dedication, critical-thinking skills and her ability to place her knowledge within a larger cultural context to ensure her work will address pressing issues we will face in the near and distant future.”

Atencio and her twin sister, Anastasia, who attended UC Santa Barbara, are first-generation college graduates who were encouraged by their father to pursue higher education.

A member of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, Atencio became involved in the Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) during her sophomore year at San Diego State, where she earned her bachelor’s in kinesiology. The experience with NARCH has fueled her passion for mentoring other students from underrepresented backgrounds.

“What first stood out to me about Jessica was her drive to succeed and make her family proud,” said Richard Armenta, research director in the student development program for NARCH and a CSUSM kinesiology professor. “I have also been fortunate to get to know her father over the years, and I know how proud he is of her development and accomplishments.”

Atencio grew up surfing with her father in Orange County, and CSUSM was a natural fit when Armenta told her about Newcomer’s surfing research. Atencio reached out to Newcomer during her final semester at SDSU and began working as a research intern in his lab even before she had been accepted to the master’s program at CSUSM.

“This commitment to my laboratory, with no guarantee of her being accepted into our graduate program, spoke volumes about her work ethic and passion for research,” Newcomer said.

Atencio led a research project that examined the interaction between surfing and thermoregulation as part of a collaborative effort between scientists at the Nike Sports Research Laboratory, wetsuit designers in the Hurley Innovation Department and the CSUSM Surf Research Laboratory.

Newcomer was impressed by Atencio’s leadership as well as her organizational and problem-solving skills, and she was accepted into CSUSM’s graduate program for fall 2018. With encouragement from Armenta, Atencio was also accepted into CSUSM’s Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) program, which is funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and prepares underrepresented undergraduate and graduate students majoring in the sciences to enter and succeed in doctoral studies.

“Just being part of the RISE program really solidified my desire to pursue a Ph.D.,” she said.

At CSUSM, Atencio combined her interest in exercise physiology with her passion for surfing, resulting in a research project in which she studied the physiological effects of surfing on hydration and fluid loss in recreational surfers.

Atencio’s experience on the project and the opportunity to teach and mentor undergraduate kinesiology students at CSUSM has furthered her goal to earn a doctorate. This fall, she will begin a Ph.D. program in human physiology at the University of Oregon, where she has been selected as a 2020-21 Graduate School Promising Scholar, a cohort of applicants chosen for their strong academic promise and potential to contribute to the diversity of their prospective graduate program.

Atencio’s long-term goal is to work in academia so she can follow her passion for teaching and mentoring students while also conducting research.

“Over the past six years, I have watched Jessica grow immensely, personally and professionally, and I am excited to watch her continued growth as a Ph.D. student and beyond,” Armenta said. “I have no doubt that Jessica will continue to be successful in her education and career.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The GDC, after all, is the premier professional event for the video game industry, annually bringing together about 30,000 people – from programmers, artists and producers to game designers, audio professionals and business leaders. Tunur, by contrast, is a kinesiologist who’s in her third year as an assistant professor at Cal State San Marcos.  

As part of her teaching and research, however, Tunur makes extensive use of cutting-edge technology related to virtual and augmented reality, positioning herself as a rare academic whose message holds appeal to the GDC crowd. And indeed, she was awarded one of the coveted speaking slots, surprising even herself.  

“I just wanted to see what would happen if I applied and maybe make some connections along the way,” Tunur said. “It is definitely major validation. It is reassuring that I’m on the right path and my work is being recognized, even though I’m new in the field.” 

The GDC was scheduled for March 16-20 in San Francisco, but in late February, the event was postponed because of concerns about the coronavirus. Organizers hope to stage the conference later this year instead, and Tunur said she would love to attend if it’s safe to do so. In the meantime, she has been asked to record the presentation that she planned to deliver at the conference, and videos of all the speakers will be posted on the GDC’s YouTube channel. 

Tunur’s speech for GDC is titled “Designing Serious Games for Rehabilitation in AR and VR Environments.” It concerns an app she developed that’s a basic reaching test, designed for upper body mobility rehab. In the experimental project, she compared the experience of playing the same game using different headsets – one with augmented reality (AR), in which you still see your surroundings but other visuals get overlaid in the environment, and one with virtual reality (VR), which places you in a whole new environment. 

Tunur measured the motor demands of the game with a motion capture system and documented participants’ experiences via surveys.  

“Even though it seems like you’re using the same app, it’s going to have different applications,” she said. “One could be better if you’re trying to increase energy level, mobility or range of motion, versus the other one could be better if you’re trying to increase cognitive load or fine motor skills, for example. This will help us understand how we can prescribe these apps or games that are readily available or how we can make better choices in developing future apps for health.” 

Tunur discovered the field of kinesiology, and VR technology, almost by accident. A native of Turkey, she earned a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology from Tulane University in 2011. She also has danced professionally, and as a postdoctoral fellow at Syracuse University, she was part of a program that allowed people with Parkinson’s disease to participate in dance classes utilizing augmented reality.

Use of the AR app, Tunur found, not only improved the individuals’ balance and mobility, but also helped them stick to a routine of physical activity, which can be a challenge because of feelings of isolation and frustration that stem from the disease.

“That’s why I was so excited about getting into this field and further investigating it,” Tunur said.

VR technology is very expensive, however, so it wasn’t long after she arrived at CSUSM in 2017 that Tunur set out to secure the grants necessary to outfit the university with state-of-the-art equipment. Less than three years later, she’s the proud director of the Movement in eXtended Reality (MiXR) lab, a space in University Hall that features several high-end VR and AR headsets as well as a Bertec instrumented treadmill, which includes force plates that measure reaction force and center of gravity for gait analysis. It also comes with a software development kit to be integrated into virtual reality. The treadmill, which Tunur has nicknamed the “holy grail,” cost $135,000 and required more than a year of fundraising.

On a visit to the MiXR lab earlier this semester, CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt tested the HTC Vive virtual reality headset and came away so impressed that she joked to Tunur that she wanted one for her office.

As fancy as the equipment is, Tunur doesn’t keep it under lock and key. On the contrary, she makes heavy use of VR technology in her primary class for undergraduates, Kinesiology 301: Motor Control and Learning. Based on research done at least partly in the MiXR lab, more than 20 of Tunur’s students presented last semester at the Southern California Conferences for Undergraduate Research at CSUSM.

“I’m just there to supervise, so my students are completely independent, from study design to data collection, analysis and presentation,” said Tunur, who also was one of the key faculty members involved in developing the VR-heavy Inspiration Studios in Kellogg Library. “They get very familiar with all the equipment and experience the motor control concepts in a very different way that feels more memorable, more enjoyable. They love coming to the class.”

“I like how the experiments are not only educational but also super fun,” said Yesenia Betancourt, one of Tunur’s students. “The course isn’t just some ordinary GE; it’s a very interesting class with engaging methods that help people retain the information better in the long term.”

Tunur is excited about the vast potential of virtual reality in both classroom and research settings.

“It’s being utilized in everything from pain management for amputated phantom limbs to kids with autism to medical surgery training or in military high-risk environment training,” she said. “But the science needs to catch up to the pace of the development of technology. So that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

His mother is a high school calculus teacher. He has three older sisters, all of whom went to college. One of the three even graduated from Stanford University, one of the most elite institutions in the country. 

Hernandez knew what path he was expected to follow. He just wasn’t all that eager to reach his destination. He enjoyed playing sports, hanging out with his friends, and “doing enough to make my mom happy.” 

That all changed the instant he enrolled at Cal State San Marcos. 

“I was like, ‘Well, this is my money. This is loans I’m taking out, this is on me,’ ” Hernandez said. “ ‘Do I actually want to go to class and take in knowledge or do I just want to cruise by again?’ And I decided I wanted to make the most of it.” 

Hernandez is getting his money’s worth, and then some. Now a sixth-year senior, he’s still riding a high from the greatest achievement of what has evolved into a stellar college career.  

Last month, he was one of only 12 California State University students – and 82 in the nation – who won awards for excellence in research at the National Diversity in STEM Conference, the largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the country. The annual three-day event, held this year in Honolulu, is organized by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS).  

A kinesiology major and aspiring doctor, Hernandez was recognized in the category of health for his poster presentation examining the role that drug use plays in the release of dopamine from specific sites in the brain and how this affects addiction. The goal is to better understand how addictions arise to better develop prevention measures and treatment for addiction.  

“It was a great sense of affirmation,” Hernandez said, “a pat on the back for all the work I’ve been doing for a long time.” 

When he enrolled at CSUSM, Hernandez initially thought he might study to become a firefighter. But after going on a few ride-alongs to get a feel for the experience, he realized that he was unsatisfied with the process of simply handing off sick or injured people at the hospital. He wanted to follow them inside and see their care through to the end. 

Thus did medicine enter his purview. About three years ago, Hernandez began interning at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, and he now has logged more than 300 hours of service at the hospital, with a primary focus on patient care. He also has added duties as a medical assistant at an Escondido pain clinic for an anesthesiologist whom he met through his internship. 

On campus, Hernandez’s educational road started to take shape about halfway through his time at CSUSM, when he met kinesiology professor Richard Armenta in fall 2017. Hernandez impressed Armenta, who was new to the university, not only with his command of the course material and intellectual curiosity, but also with his persistence in visiting during office hours to seek mentorship.  

“He told me he was interested in attending medical school,” Armenta said. “We discussed the importance of conducting research and understanding research because our knowledge in medicine and practice of medicine comes from conducting research.”

At Armenta’s urging, Hernandez applied for and was accepted into UC San Diego’s Summer Training Academy for Research Success (STARS), an eight-week program that gives many college students their first exposure to high-level research. He worked on a project related to developing medications for heart attack victims, which he parlayed into a travel scholarship to attend last year’s SACNAS conference in San Antonio. He wasn’t selected to present his research, however, leaving him disappointed but determined.

“The conference is unlike any other,” Hernandez said. “You get to see people like yourself who are doing what you’re doing and have been through the hardships of coming from underrepresented backgrounds. It’s really inspiring. When my poster wasn’t accepted, it just furthered my drive to want to get back there.”

Armed with fresh resolve, Hernandez started serving as a teaching assistant for Armenta and helping him with small projects. When summer came around again, he eschewed a chance to return to UCSD and instead signed on for a 10-week research experience at the National Institutes of Health, one of the world’s foremost medical research centers.

After receiving limited hands-on opportunities the previous summer, Hernandez entered the program in Maryland with a very specific objective.

“I told them immediately, ‘Hey, I’m here to work. I moved here from California, I left everything behind, I have no distractions. I want to learn as many techniques as possible. Let me fail, and let me learn,’ ” he said.

The director of the program accommodated Hernandez’s wishes, and by the midway point, he was more or less working independently. The result of that research was his award-winning poster presentation in Hawaii.

“I strongly believe that Sean won an award at SACNAS because of his strong communication skills and ability to explain his research process and the implications of his work to anyone,” said Armenta, who attended the conference with Hernandez and six other CSUSM students. “And to watch him win was special because of how much I have seen him grow as a researcher over the past few years and because of how dedicated and passionate Sean is.”

Hernandez plans to begin applying to medical schools after he graduates in May, with Stanford – his sister’s alma mater – at the top of his list. During the gap year before he would start in fall 2021, he intends to return to the NIH for a post-baccalaureate program in which he would continue the brain research that he conducted last summer.

He aims to pursue surgery, with interests in neurology, orthopedics and cardiology.

“It’s taken me a little longer than other people to find my direction,” Hernandez said. “But now that I have, I’m grateful for that and grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Some days, Isaias would hang out in a lobby waiting room, sometimes the cafeteria. Other times he would try to find a spot near his dad where he wouldn’t be in the way. Isaias wasn’t shy about talking to hospital employees and peppered his father with questions about the people he saw and their responsibilities.

By the time Isaias was in middle school, he was old enough to stay home and watch his younger brother, Josiah, while their father was at work.

But it wasn’t long before the hospital trips became part of Isaias’ routine again.

When Isaias was 16, Josiah was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, a condition in which a person’s immune system attacks their thyroid. It took visits to multiple specialists to diagnose the problem, and Josiah was eventually prescribed thyroid medication that got it under control.

The compassion of doctors as they helped Josiah had an indelible impact on Isaias that continues to resonate as he approaches graduation from Cal State San Marcos.

“It was pretty hard to see my brother go through that, but seeing how the doctors worked with him really inspired me to pursue medicine,” said Isaias, who will graduate in May with a bachelor’s in kinesiology.

Tireless encouragement from his father and mentorship from CSUSM kinesiology professor Richard Armenta have been integral to Isaias’ success. He also is grateful for much-needed financial support from longtime CSUSM donors Lee and Rosita Hieb. When Isaias’ financial aid package was reduced as he entered his fifth year at CSUSM in 2018-19, he found assistance thanks to the generosity of the Hiebs, who established a scholarship in 2014 to help students with a financial need and an interest in a medical career.

“You love these kids who push themselves, because then he is also being an example for his brother,” Rosita Hieb said. “That's really beautiful and very selfless.”

Isaias’ dream of a career in medicine – of helping others like doctors helped his brother – has provided motivation for nearly a decade. It even drove him to give up his love of baseball so he could focus on his future.

Challenging transition

Luis was a single father trying to support two boys. Shortly after Isaias was born, Luis took a job at the hospital as a transporter, helping to move patients and equipment throughout the building. He previously worked at a grocery store, but wanted the hospital job so he would have health insurance for his family. Over the course of 20 years at the hospital, Luis eventually worked his way into his current position as a CT technician.

Isaias’ mother was never a consistent presence in his life as she struggled with drug addiction and spent time incarcerated. Isaias lived with her for a short period when he was in second grade, but it was a stretch marked by frequent absences, poor nutrition and academic struggles.

Moving in with his father changed everything. Isaias began to thrive in school, even qualifying for the Gifted and Talented Education program, more commonly known as GATE.

Though money was tight, Luis made sure his boys, both talented baseball players, had an opportunity to play travel ball, even when it meant borrowing money.

A first-generation college student, Isaias largely navigated the higher education process on his own. He applied to a handful of universities and learned of his acceptance to CSUSM in April 2014. A few months later, he was offered a scholarship to play baseball for the Cougars.

But the transition to college proved challenging. Isaias’ grade-point average was under 3.0 after his first semester, a disappointment for someone used to consistently being over 3.5.

“I didn’t know how to be a good student,” Isaias said. “I just thought I could get by like I did in high school.”

Isaias’ grades slowly improved, but he still wasn’t achieving the results he expected from himself. Compounding his difficulties, he learned that his brother was sick again. Josiah was diagnosed with pleural effusion, a buildup of fluid around the lungs, and valley fever, which is caused by a fungus that enters a person’s body through their lungs.

The disappointment over his grades, coupled with his brother’s illness, provided a wake-up call.

Isaias rededicated himself to his studies. He became more disciplined and focused on improving his time management. When it came to his brother’s health, seeing doctors once again provide care that was both skilled and compassionate reaffirmed his decision to pursue a career in medicine.

Isaias still remembers one doctor who knew his father assure Luis that he didn’t need to worry, that the hospital staff would take care of Josiah.

“Hearing that and seeing that, that’s something that I would love to tell people someday – ‘I’m going to take care of you,’ ” Isaias said. “My dad was so thankful and just happy to hear those words of affirmation.

“The way that doctor showed compassion and empathy toward my brother, that’s something that I want to do in the future.”

Making sacrifices

Ensuring his dream would one day become reality meant making sacrifices elsewhere. Baseball, which had always come first, had to take a backseat to schoolwork. As Isaias’ grades improved, he still managed to perform on the field. After missing the 2016 season because of shoulder surgery, he returned the following season and started 42 games, led the team in home runs and RBIs, and was selected to the All-California Collegiate Athletic Association second team.

Isaias put up solid numbers again in 2018 when he started 29 games, but he made a difficult decision at the end of the season. Despite having one more year of playing eligibility, he decided it was time to step away from baseball to devote all of his efforts toward completing his bachelor’s and preparing for medical school.

He wasted no time, participating in the UCSD Summer Training Academy for Research Success shortly after his final season ended. He has also spent two-plus years in the Palomar Health Pathmaker Internship program, which provides hands-on experience to students interested in health care careers. This past summer, he participated in a 10-week National Institutes of Health (NIH) research program in Maryland.

“I always call the NIH the holy grail of research because that's where the majority of our research funding comes from,” Armenta said. “To get an opportunity to go and work at kind of the hub of research funding in health and in science was an invaluable experience for Isaias. And I know he got a lot out of it.

“It's a really competitive program. They get thousands of applications for very few spots. It was an awesome experience for him that has only helped him grow more.”

Armenta has been instrumental in Isaias’ growth as a student ever since he took Armenta’s statistics and research methods course during the spring 2018 semester.

Isaias and Armenta immediately bonded over a shared love of baseball (they’re both fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers). But beyond their mutual allegiance to the Dodgers, they come from similar backgrounds. Armenta, like Isaias, was a first-generation college student and was able to provide expert guidance based on his own experiences.

“Without his help, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Isaias said. “He really stuck his neck out for me and got me into places that I never would have thought about.”

The next stop will be a place Isaias has thought about often – medical school. UCLA and Stanford top his wish list, but first he will pursue a post-baccalaureate research program for a year to help prepare him for medical school.

Isaias’ brother is healthy and attending Riverside City College, where he will play baseball in the spring. While Isaias will be closely following Josiah’s progress – both on and off the field – he has no regrets about his own decision to step away from the game. In fact, when his dad suggested he pursue a master’s so he could play one more year, Isaias said, no, he’s committed to medical school.

“I played for 17 years, and to stop playing was very difficult,” Isaias said. “But I knew it was time to move on and do the things that would help me set myself up for a better future.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Cal State San Marcos student Michelle Kang asked herself that question. Kang, who is double majoring in kinesiology and mathematics, has worked for the past three years as part of the university’s Outdoor Adventures team, and in that time has learned to love the outdoors while embracing the sustainability lifestyle.

But helping her fellow CSUSM students love outdoor adventures wasn’t enough. So she set out to make a difference.

With the help of Outdoor Adventures Coordinator Celeste Gottschalk, Kang applied for and recently received a $2,500 grant from the ASI Sustainability Project Fund that is going toward helping the group achieve its campus-wide sustainability goals such as zero waste.

“I think it is very important for us to learn and practice a sustainable lifestyle,” Kang said. “I love outdoors, and going outdoors is such a unique feeling that we don't really get during our day-to-day life. However, sometimes going outdoors and seeing things different over time that often is caused by us is very disappointing. The Outdoor Adventures team always educates our participants to practice ‘Leave No Trace’ principles, and one of the ideas is that we should preserve the wilderness for the next visitors. We want college students, who are the future of this planet, to learn how to respect our planet and neighbors so that we can share the goods.”

Outdoor Adventures, which is part of CSUSM’s Campus Recreation program, is using the grant to purchase various sustainable and environmentally responsible swag items, food containers and a dehydrator.

The program spends a lot of money on prepackaged dried goods and food in general. With the help of this grant, the hope is to not only reduce the cost when purchasing food for trips, but to reduce the overall use of non-reusable materials such as plastic wrapping, cardboard and other packaging materials.

Like true outdoor enthusiasts, the purchase of a dehydrator was a major driving force for Kang and the Outdoor Adventures team.

“The dehydrator was something that I wanted to purchase for our team after going to several conferences,” said Kang, who wasn’t involved in many outdoor activities growing up and applied for the position with Outdoor Adventures to try something new. “I researched for possible funding and a grant that will help us purchase a dehydrator. Then I reached out to (Gottschalk) and she directed me to the sustainability representative on campus. So I reached out to her, and she told me that we have this grant opportunity coming up so I applied.”

The team also plans on holding free workshops where community members can dehydrate their own food. The workshops will focus on sustainability and the principles of Leave No Trace, which highlights the importance of people leaving as little an impact as possible when visiting the outdoors.

All of this would not have been possible without the vision and contributions of Kang.

“When I told Michelle about the sustainability grant, I did not expect so many wonderful ideas and initiatives to be proposed,” Gottschalk said. “I am very proud of her ability to take initiative and spearhead projects she’s passionate about. Those are the characteristics every supervisor seeks in a student employee, and we’re very lucky to have her. Michelle still has a few years left with us, and I am very excited to see what else she has in store for the program.”

CSUSM’s Campus Recreation uses the “8 Dimensions of Wellness” as guiding principles in its collective approach: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual.

There are surf and kayak trips each semester, and the spring semester will feature a beach bonfire trip. Keying on those dimensions of wellness means students are rewarded with much more than a trip to the beach.

“We believe that mental and emotional wellness is as important as physical wellness, and if people have to stress themselves to go outside, then it's not worth it at that point,” said Kang, who plans on pursuing a Ph.D. program in the future. “Spending time outdoors is not just about seeing beautiful sceneries but making lifelong friends and memories by immersing ourselves to where we belong.”

Learn more about Sustainability Projects Funding.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Dunn’s work resulted in a detailed analysis titled “Building Your American Dream: An Ethnographic Study of the Exploitation of Undocumented Laborers” that earned a 4th Annual CSUSM Library Award for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity in the category of Empirical Research. The 17-page paper resulted from interviewing undocumented immigrants, those who assist them, employers, and intense research into the subject while validating source material.

“It was a process of discovery,” said Dunn, who is 48 and owns his own construction site cleanup business. “I had a vague awareness of what was going on, but I really didn’t know the half of it. I didn’t know about the sexual exploitation. I knew about the wage theft, but there was much I didn’t know concerning the other myriad ways they are exploited and just as importantly how the cumulative trauma of daily living having to deal with constant hostility and microaggressions impacts themselves and their families.”

Dunn’s experience underscores the importance of the University Library’s annual competition.

“Being able to engage in library research lends itself to building critical thinking skills, and especially today it is important for people to have critical thinking skills to be able to make informed decisions,” said Toni Olivas, Engagement and Inclusion Librarian who chaired this year's judging panel and planning committee.

A CSUSM junior who aspires to earn a graduate degree in social work and launch a new career as an LCSW, Dunn was not a neophyte in the subject of undocumented workers before he began his study. What Dunn found, however, was undocumented workers who get no benefits or pensions but suffer through more than their share of exploitation. Like a worker who was driven to a construction site and asked to perform oral sex. Or a day laborer who was confronted by a scantily clad woman urging him to perform work inside her home.

“They want to work, they want to support their families,” he wrote. “They want to get ahead. But what ends up happening they are working to just survive and once the utility of their labor has been exploited and they can no longer continue the hard labor that is construction they are cast aside with little services or even dignity. They are constantly under the spotlight with targets on their backs as they just try to make it to another day. My research specifically documented the ways they are exploited, be it wage theft from homeowners, contractors or just as frequently from employers with shared ethnicity. With few if any rights they have no recourse from law enforcement. Exposed to so many vulnerabilities it is not a surprise that many times the men find themselves falling into, ‘desesparacion,’ loosely translated as a feeling of anxiety, desperation and a sense of disappearing.”

Dunn is hoping his work will spark further discussion at CSUSM and elsewhere. His was one of three projects that were honored. A judging panel of volunteer subject and library faculty selected the winners from several submissions. Following is an overview of the other two entries.

CATEGORY: Empirical Research

SUBMISSION: Comparison of Affective Response to Physical Activity Through Reduced Exertion High Intensity Training Among Active and Inactive Individuals

STUDENTS: Rasmus Clausen

ADVISOR: Todd Astorino

SUMMARY: Regular participation in physical activity is effective in reducing chronic disease and mortality risk. Meanwhile, more than half of the American population is classified as sedentary and are therefore at increased risk. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has been proposed as a time-efficient mode of exercise, but the exhaustive nature of it makes it impractical and intolerable for the sedentary population. Reduced Exertion High Intensity Training (REHIT) is a new, less exerting mode of exercise similar to HIIT that offers comparable health benefits and less negative affective responses, potentially making it suitable for the sedentary person. The aim of the present study was to examine how individuals of different fitness levels tolerate a single bout of REHIT.

CATEGORY: Interpretive Analysis

SUBMISSION: Race, Riot, and Recovery Identifying Motive and Methods of Response to the Violence of the 1863 New York City Draft Riots

STUDENT: Lynda Vernia

ADVISOR: Ann Elwood

SUMMARY: The 1863 New York City drafts riots occurred July 13-16, 1863 as a response to three factors: The Enrollment Act, which drafted men into the Union Army; the economic inequality of the times in which the rich could pay a commutation fee to be exempt from the draft while immigrants lived in abject poverty; and the racial unrest caused by issues relating to the Emancipation Proclamation, citizenship, and perceived threats to immigrant jobs. This paper focuses on the four days of mob violence that comprised the 1863 New York City Draft Riot, identifies groups who responded with assistance to those attacked, and examine the motives and methods of that assistance given during the riot and the recovery period immediately afterward.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

As a coach, volunteer coordinator and water safety captain for Stoke for Life Foundation — a nonprofit focusing on adaptive watersports — Ryan often starts event days by himself on the beach, reading the ocean waves for any potential hazards. These early-morning assessments are critical for the safety of the adaptive athletes. This is also the kind of work Ryan thrives on in his second career.

For 15 years since graduating from high school, Ryan has searched for his purpose. He adopted, and adapted, many roles along the way, but despite outward success, he remained unfulfilled. After an early attempt at college sputtered, he continued taking classes throughout the years as he pursued work in sales, restaurants, public relations and the music industry.

“If you can think of a job that doesn’t require a college degree, I’ve probably done it,” he said, laughing. “I found everything that I don’t want to do.”

A former youth swimming and water polo coach, Ryan decided to volunteer at a physical therapy clinic to learn about working with injured athletes. While a clinical environment wasn’t right for him, working with athletes facing challenges was. A degree in kinesiology would be his first career step, which led Ryan to CSUSM at Temecula.

Ryan discovered Stoke for Life Foundation through a friend who suggested that he volunteer at one of its adaptive surf camps. There, he found his purpose. Based in Carlsbad, the foundation aims to bring adaptive watersports to athletes of all ages and abilities through surf and paddle clinics and competitions.

“I’m choosing my career more on values this time rather than money,” said Ryan, 33. “Do I feel good doing this? The money is secondary to the cause. That’s why I do this, because it’s a good cause. Kids in wheelchairs need to be told what they can do, not what they can’t.”

At Stoke for Life, Ryan primarily works with the youth surfers, often as a pusher. Adaptive surfers who can’t swim need designated pushers to power them onto a wave, which they then ride to shore. The foundation provides the adaptive equipment, coaching and safety staff to ensure all of their athletes have the opportunity to pursue their sport as far as they want.

In fact, after Ryan graduates this month, he and a group of Stoke for Life surfers — including foundation founder and adaptive athlete Charles Webb — will take their skills to the international stage. In June and July, the group will travel to Hawaii, then England, Wales and Spain, where they will compete in international adaptive surfing contests.

After years of searching, Ryan has found that his cause is surf therapy and his office is the water, fitting for a former water polo athlete. And the timing? Just right, he says.

“For me, graduating is the beginning of something, not the end,” Ryan said. “I am an older student and I have a lot of life experience. My past is what got me where I am today. I have found what I want to do and, finally, I can start.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Joe began his studies at Cal State San Marcos planning to earn his bachelor’s in kinesiology before attending physical therapy school.

But he re-evaluated after taking part in a physical therapy internship.

“It was just something I didn’t see myself enjoying,” Joe said. “When I was looking at the cost of PT school and how long it would take to pay it off to do something I didn’t enjoy, it didn’t make a lot of sense.”

Instead, Joe enrolled in CSUSM’s Master of Science in Kinesiology program after obtaining his bachelor’s. CSUSM’s kinesiology master’s is a two-year program designed to provide students with an advanced, comprehensive study of human movement.

Being part of the master’s program led Joe to another internship last summer that opened the door to the myriad career possibilities that his advanced degree will offer.

Joe learned about an opportunity at Sony from CSUSM kinesiology assistant professor Devin Jindrich. The company was looking for someone with biomechanical experience and Jindrich suggested they speak with Joe.

Not only did Joe learn about the technical side through the internship, he also discovered the vast opportunities that exist for people with a master’s in kinesiology.

“I learned that there’s a broader spectrum of where I can look at in terms of what I can do with my degree,” he said.

Joe took a different path to the master’s program than many students. After serving in the Navy for five years, he knew he wanted to pursue his bachelor’s. He had an interest in kinesiology and took a couple of community college courses to see if he liked it. After taking a break, which included the birth of his first child, Joe enrolled at CSUSM.

He earned his bachelor’s in kinesiology in 2016 and has worked as a research and lab assistant for most of his time at the University.

The bachelor’s program provided a solid overview of kinesiology and he has been able to be more topic-focused as a graduate student.

“In the master’s program you find yourself talking a lot more with your instructors and cohort about opportunities available out there,” Joe said. “Everybody’s coming from a different background so there’s much more to take in. Aside from the classes, I feel like what I take away the most are those kinds of interactions.”

Joe will be finishing his thesis over the next few months before graduating in May. His time at Sony paid off in more ways than one as he picked up a contract with the company to continue helping with the project he worked on during his internship.

“Joe is a self-starter who works hard,” said Jeff Nessler, CSUSM’s kinesiology department chair. “He has done a great job as an ambassador from our department in developing this relationship with Sony. His efforts will hopefully lead to future collaborations between our groups.”

Said Joe: “Sony showed me so much as far as industry and where I can fit in. They’ve been a great host and they’re really eager to work with Cal State San Marcos, so it might open up the door for other master’s students to get internships with them. There’s a huge number of things you can do with this master’s degree.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Jacob Thum, who earned his kinesiology degree from Cal State San Marcos in spring 2016, devoted months to hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, which spans the U.S.-Mexico border to Canada.

Thum will share stories about his adventure during a free community event at Cal State San Marcos on April 13. No RSVP is necessary

The 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail was designated a National Scenic Trail in 1968. It gained widespread fame from the 2014 Reese Witherspoon film “Wild” as well as the Cheryl Strayed memoir on which the movie is based.

Thum will discuss everything from the logistics and difficulties of navigating the trail to the rewards of committing to a months-long hike.

The presentation is sponsored by CSUSM’s College of Education, Health and Human Services and Campus Recreation.

What: Cal State San Marcos alumnus Jacob Thum tells his story of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, which spans 2,650 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border near Campo to British Columbia, Canada, near the U.S. border

When: 6-8 p.m., April 13, 2017

Where: McMahan House, California State University San Marcos

Cost: Free

Parking: For driving directions, campus map and parking fees, visit the CSUSM Parking Guide.

Information: Contact Hugo Lecomte at hlecomte@csusm.edu or (760) 750-6001

About California State University San Marcos

Building on an innovative 27-year history, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. Located on a 304-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange Counties.

The University enrolls over 15,000 students. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For® (The Chronicle of Higher Education). As a recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014—a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion—CSUSM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

It’s a nickname he earned in the early stages of his quest to hike the 2,650-mile trail, which spans the U.S.-Mexico border near Campo to British Columbia, Canada, near the U.S. border. Designated a National Scenic Trail in 1968, it gained widespread fame from the 2014 Reese Witherspoon film “Wild” as well as the Cheryl Strayed memoir on which the movie is based.

Jacob, a recent Cal State San Marcos graduate, joined a small group of hikers traversing a difficult downhill stretch near Idyllwild, about 200 miles into his journey. They were taking a small break after successfully navigating the mountain when one member of the group offered to share a Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar.

A self-proclaimed chocolate connoisseur, Jacob couldn’t bring himself to take a bite, instead pulling out some dark chocolate and recommending the group try that instead.

“One of the people said, ‘Oh, sorry Mr. Fancy Pants,’ ” said Jacob, laughing.

The name stuck. Most people who tackle the Pacific Crest Trail are given trail names. The monikers are included on a list of thru-hikers – those who complete the entire journey – that is maintained on the Pacific Crest Trail Association website.

While most people would consider Jacob a thru-hiker, he said he won’t add his name to the Pacific Crest Trail Association list because he had to end his journey about 60 miles from completion.

“I realized that was sort of the final lesson the trail had dealt to me,” Jacob said. “You start from the border and you think your hike is going to be a certain way. And it never is.”

Jacob earned his degree in kinesiology with minors in chemistry and Spanish from CSUSM in May. Finishing school meant starting his hike about a month later than what is considered the optimal time to begin. Starting too early or too late often means contending with dangerous weather conditions, something Jacob learned first-hand about 2,600 miles after his start.

“He is one of the most unique students we have had in the 13 years of our program,” said Todd Astorino, a CSUSM professor of kinesiology. “Jake is extremely selfless and thoughtful and he really cares about his fellow students and citizens. He truly wants to help people.”

Jacob was inspired to tackle the trail to raise money for Project Walk, a spinal-cord injury rehab facility. Jacob overcame a spinal-cord injury suffered in a motorcycle racing accident when he was 17. The injury left him in a wheelchair not knowing if he would ever walk again. He began to regain sensation in his left leg about five months after the accident, and it took another six months before he could walk somewhat normally.

Jacob still doesn’t have complete sensation in his right leg, but it didn’t deter him from taking on the Pacific Crest Trail.

“I wanted to take advantage of being able to walk again,” he said.

Jacob met other hikers along the way, but spent most of the trek alone. He contended with numerous difficult conditions, from 110-degree days in the Mojave Desert to crossing ice in the Sierras to mosquito swarms in Kings Canyon.

“I never thought I’d be able to walk that long,” he said. “I definitely had moments that challenged my sanity.”

The first big moment to do so came about three weeks into his hike while in the Mojave Desert. Dealing with the heat was difficult, but adjusting to the solitude might have been a bigger challenge.

“I had never been away from society for that long,” he said. “I had done something like 600 miles. For two days in a row I was just walking and crying.”

Jacob persevered for some 2,000 more miles. But crossing into Washington was a turning point. He contended with interminable rain as he navigated what was the most difficult stretch for him. He had a pack cover to protect his belongings, but he didn’t even bother to use it by his third day in Washington as everything he had was thoroughly soaked.

With relentless rain came plummeting temperatures. For the first time, he was surrounded by snow when he got out of his tent each morning, hindering visibility of the trail. Frostbite soon became a concern.

“We studied this in class and I remembered that if you start to feel like your toes are being stabbed by knives, it means you’re getting frostbite,” he said. “I was feeling that for the first time.”

Jacob was still about 40 miles from Stehekin, a small community in the North Cascades of Washington. He knew he needed to get to lower elevation. That meant taking side routes, which slowed his progress on the trail.

“Basically, I wanted to come home with my toes,” he said.

He eventually reached an elevation where he could safely check his feet. He was relieved to see that his toes didn’t have the waxy appearance that can indicate frostbite.

With limited options, Jacob forged ahead. His shoes had gaping holes, shredded by more than 2,500 miles of hiking, so he put plastic bags over his socks in an effort to keep his feet dry. He continued through the night toward Stehekin. It wasn’t until he reached a main road at about 4 a.m. that he realized it was another 15 miles into the town. Fortunately, there was a shuttle to take people from the main road into town.

Jacob said thru-hikers are treated like celebrities in Stehekin. People paid for his meals and some even offered their hotel room so he could shower.

“A shower after two weeks is a life-changing experience,” he said.

While walking through Stehekin, Jacob met a couple who invited him to stay at their cabin because they knew a major storm, fueled by remnants of a typhoon, was due to hit. It confirmed weather reports Jacob heard from other hikers.

Knowing that the storm would make trail conditions treacherous, the couple urged Jacob to end his quest. They had him sleep outside on their porch to get a taste of what was coming. It was the coldest night of Jacob’s journey – and that was with the comfort of a cot and an extra sleeping bag provided by the couple.

“I only had about two days of the trail left at this point,” Jacob said. “That’s 60 miles; that’s peanuts. But 60 miles in snow is a whole different ballgame. I really started playing with the idea that maybe it was in my best interest to not finish due to the safety hazard. I laid there for hours and came to the realization that it was the best thing to do. I didn’t want to risk my life.”

Jacob said he could have tried to find a place to camp at lower elevation and wait until the storm passed, but the risks and unknowns – everything from potentially running out of food to avalanches to freezing temperatures – were too great.

“It would have been a very emotional decision not driven by logic to keep going,” he said. “It would have been very stupid to continue.”

Jacob is at peace with finishing short of the northern terminus on the Canadian side of the border. He was at the Seattle train station en route to returning to Southern California when he ran into a couple of hikers he had met on the trail. He told them that his trip ended just shy of the finish because of the storm.

“They said, ‘Oh, that’s so disappointing,’ ” he said. “But in my mind I’m thinking about what a triumph it was for me. I wouldn’t have given up any other days on trail just to be able to have stepped over a line and finished it according to somebody else’s criteria.

“Do I consider my hike less valuable because I didn’t finish the last 60 miles? Absolutely not.

“I want to be able to inspire people to do something that they thought would be impossible for them to do. That’s pretty much how I set out, thinking, ‘Let’s just see how far I can get on this trail.’ Once I got to the halfway point, at first I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m only halfway?’ But then I thought, ‘Wow, I hiked more than 1,300 miles.’ ”

Jacob called the couple in Stehekin to let them know that he really did end his hike and was safe. He also contacted the group of hikers that he met at the beginning of his journey who dubbed him Fancy Pants.

“People are really what you remember,” he said. “The humanity on this trail, it’s more memorable than the scenery.”

First entering mainstream American culture in the 1950s and 60s, surfing and its many spinoff action boardsports—skateboarding and snowboarding to name a few—have come a long way. Today action sports are hugely popular among youth and adults of all ages, finding their place alongside baseball, soccer, tennis and volleyball in a billion-dollar global industry. Adding further credibility to the sports, the International Olympic Committee is looking at adding surfing and skateboarding to the 2020 Tokyo Games.

However, unlike most other traditional sports, surfing has for decades been largely driven through experiential knowledge, gut feelings and anecdotal evidence. Experienced surfers pride themselves on their ability to read waves, analyze tide and wind conditions, and find the sweet spot on a dynamic playing field that is constantly changing and moving. While technology has certainly advanced surfing and other board sports from a materials perspective—manufacturers are creating faster, more maneuverable and durable boards—there is little scientific data to back up why new designs are actually better or how they might be impacting the human body.

But two Cal State San Marcos kinesiology researchers, Drs. Sean Newcomer and Jeff Nessler, are offering hard data on surfing and other action sports. Recently featured in Surfer Magazine, the professors are getting the attention of the surf and action sports industry, collaborating with companies to better understand how to help surfers increase performance and health. In fact, Newcomer and Nessler are the only scientists in the world that combine their expertise in physiology and mechanics to explore the sport of surfing from a multidisciplinary approach.

The Science of Surfing

Newcomer and Nessler, both lifelong surfers who grew up in North San Diego County, first teamed up and began delving into the science of surfing several years ago.

“We initially sought to characterize activity and cardiovascular responses of recreational surfers during normal surfing sessions,” said Newcomer. “Specifically we were interested in the cardiovascular health benefits of participating in surfing and how the aging process impacted the cardiovascular system and performance in the water.”

For their initial studies, subjects were strapped with heart rate monitors, and a team of undergraduates monitored heart rate response to paddling and riding waves while also capturing the surfers’ moves on camera. The goal was to discover if a session in the water had the same exercise benefits as a session in the gym. In fact, they proved that paddling out is indeed a viable form of aerobic exercise.

Newcomer and Nessler then moved their research into a CSUSM kinesiology laboratory for more controlled experiments that examined, for example, balance, postural sway and lower extremity strength.

“And now we have transitioned our research endeavors to a flume where we are able to control water speed and temperature very precisely. This allows us to perform experiments in a very controlled environment which we have previously been unable to do during our field studies,” explained Newcomer. The flume, a 9-by-16-foot pool with a variable current, allows research participants to paddle in place at controlled speeds.

In this environment Newcomer and Nessler are now examining how the design, materials and construction of surf equipment and products, such as boards, wetsuits and vests, impact the human body and athletic performance with regard to paddling efficiency, oxygen uptake, heart rate, thermoregulation, muscle activity and mechanics.

“We are looking at how products made by the surf industry perform in different situations,” said Newcomer. “For instance, wetsuits have been historically manufactured with the sole purpose of insulating a surfer from cold water exposure, but it is important to remember that the insulating qualities of wetsuits come at a cost to paddling efficiency and wave riding performance. Therefore finding the balance between warmth and flexibility is a very important research question that we are trying to answer. In addition, we are working with surfboard manufacturers to better understand the relationship between surfboard paddling efficiency and maneuverability while wave riding.”

And the surf industry is taking note. Newcomer and Nessler began collaborating with surf industry giants Hurley and Firewire to test products, along with other smaller industry collaborators such as Todd McFarland Surfboards.

“Surf products are actually very subjective,” said Bruce Moore, vice president of Performance and Innovation for Hurley. “A board feels fast or a wetsuit feels cold. By being able to quantify these ideas and technologies, we can inform our decisions based on actual facts instead of opinions.”

Students Get Stoked on Research

Nessler and Newcomer are not only passionate about their work, but about bringing curriculum to life for their undergraduate students who work alongside them in the lab and field. They have incorporated research into the undergraduate curriculum with students responsible for all aspects of research protocol.

“One of the most unique things about what we are doing here is that undergraduates are getting to apply what they are learning in class to testing products for a number of action sport industry leaders,” explained Newcomer. “This is a win-win situation since we are able to keep costs down for our industry collaborators while engaging our students in this innovative curriculum. We have also observed students are more engaged in these classes since implementing these real life studies in our curriculum. This engagement likely is a result of the students connecting with these projects and buying into the pedagogical paradigm. Equally as important is the connection the students have with products they are testing and the companies they are testing them for.”

Jean Aguilar, a senior kinesiology major, is among the students collecting and analyzing data. Jean plans to apply to medical school but credits her mentor, Dr. Newcomer, with providing her with the chance to do research typically reserved at other universities for graduate-level students. This summer, she will co-author a paper on wetsuit design.

“Working on the surf study has been an invaluable experience,” she reflected. “Working with the latest technology, amazing collaborators and surf subjects pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow to be a better student.”

On the Horizon: A Future CSUSM Action Sports Institute

Ideally situated in North San Diego County in the center of the booming surf and action sports industry, Newcomer and Nessler see Cal State San Marcos as the perfect location for a possible future Action Sports Institute.

“We see the Institute addressing board sports such as skateboarding and stand-up paddle boarding, as well as snow sports such as snowboarding,” said Nessler. “If we could grow an institute like this, we could do more research, be more productive, train more students and help more companies in our backyard.”

In fact, the professors are currently studying the health benefits of skateboarding in youth—data that will contribute to an overall understanding of how the sport positively affects weight management and cardiovascular health.

“There are other applications to this—not just surfing or action sports. We could learn some things about rehabilitation or learn some things about technology that could be used in other research studies or environments,” said Nessler. “While the story of surfing is cool and we enjoy what we are doing, there are ultimately farther reaching implications.”

The Cal State San Marcos assistant professor of kinesiology has helped establish a wellness program at a local high school, works with the community to adopt healthier strategies, and has long focused her research into factors determining substance abuse and other risk-taking behaviors.

“I have a passion for learning, teaching and discovery,” said Romero. “I love science and am excited to be able to approach it from an applied prospective to improve health and promote positive changes in people’s lives.”

A native of Southern California who grew up primarily in Nevada and Arizona, Romero has run a marathon, competed in aquathlons/triathlons and was a member of the rowing team at Barry University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in exercise science. After securing a Master of Science in kinesiology from Cal State Fullerton, Romero earned her doctorate in public health from Loma Linda University.

Her research investigates behaviors related to tobacco, health programming among adolescents, and risk taking among adolescents and young adults.

“My greatest accomplishments have been in the success of my students’ professional and personal growth and the impact of my research in improving quality of life and enhancing health outcomes,” she said.

Teaching at CSUSM has been a blessing. The diversity of our University is very special and we are committed to engaging our community with our educational, research and service efforts,” she said. “I’m really proud to work at Cal State San Marcos.”

Adding fuel to the fire, despite state standards that outline the amount of time and the type of curriculum physical education programs should provide, P.E. has been marginalized and reduced in schools across California and the nation. This is largely due to the misperception that time spent in P.E. hurts student preparation for standardized testing. In fact, empirical evidence suggests that time spent in physical education, with high amounts of physical activity, can actually boost test scores and academic achievement for K-12 students.

“All the evidence suggests that a quality physical education program will boost academic performance,” said Dr. Paul Stuhr, associate professor of kinesiology at Cal State San Marcos, who has been studying and working within the teaching-learning paradigm of physical education since 1995. “Setting aside 30 minutes a day for physical education will not lower test scores at the K-6 level but will actually improve them. Schools should take note and do everything possible to place 150 minutes per week for elementary children and 225 minutes per week for secondary school students.”

Physical education has evolved since the 60s, 70s and 80s. Leading the way is the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE), the leading organization for the field of physical education.

According to SHAPE, “The goal of physical education is to develop physically literate individuals who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. Quality physical education programs that are aligned to state and national standards play a key role in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.”

Stuhr’s expertise is in Adventure-Based Learning, an evidence-based model for physical education that places an emphasis on developing a student’s intrapersonal and interpersonal relationship skills through the use of sequenced and highly structured physical activity.

“Adventure-Based Learning is the deliberate use of experiential learning activities for social and emotional growth,” he said. “It’s fun, it’s challenging and it’s an emotionally safe way to experience relationship skills in a cooperative setting.”

A philosophy rather than a set of activities, Adventure-Based Learning is a holistic approach that emphasizes themes of community building, cooperation, emotional and physical trust, and problem solving not commonly found in traditional physical education programs. With the help of a teacher that acts as a facilitator, students participate in physical activities, and then through a debriefing process, develop skills in communication, goal setting, leadership and accountability.

“If a child doesn’t have a positive experience with physical activity by age 12, we are more likely to lose them as adults to being lifelong movers,” said Stuhr. “It is paramount that we set an appropriate foundation for children to enjoy and flourish with their physical activity pursuits.”

In Adventure-Based Learning, physical education is never exclusionary nor punitive—in other words, a student would never be removed from an activity to sit on a bench based on his or her ability to play, nor would he or she be told to run a lap or do push-ups as punishment.

Instead, activities are inclusive and involve teamwork and cooperation. For example, one such game called Pipeline is a lively and thought-provoking activity involving the movement of assorted balls and objects from a starting point to a container. Because Adventure-Based Learning is mastery-oriented in nature, students progress at their own pace, thereby eliminating competition and placing more value on achieving the group goal. This has shown to increase relationship skills, intrinsic motivation and enjoyment of physical activity.

Stuhr, who earned his Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Education at The Ohio State University, has taught at CSUSM since 2008. In his course, Kinesiology 310, CSUSM students conduct off-campus field experiences at local North County schools where they practice and demonstrate their knowledge with elementary and middle school students. This type of service learning impacts K-8 student learning outcomes, helps the physical education teacher—by providing low student-to-teacher ratios—and gives undergraduates valuable teaching experience.

In recognition of his research contributions to the field of physical education teaching and coaching, Stuhr was recently honored as one of five Research Fellows selected by SHAPE. Research Fellows are selected based on significant and sustained research contributions and related service to the field. Over the past 20 years, only three university professors from California have been awarded this status for their research within the area of sport pedagogy.

“It’s an honor to have your peers look at the totality of your work and recognize it,” he said.

But for Stuhr, his passion is truly in giving young people opportunities to become the best version of themselves through physical education:

“The bottom line for me has always been and will continue to be, how can I be explicit in helping students meet their potential while pursuing their educational goals. I affirm that Adventure-Based Learning can contribute to this mission.”

During the 10-week summer program, Makenzie is getting an insider’s view on how the company, a subsidiary of Nike, continually pushes the boundaries of surfing through apparel and gear.

Hurley interns work in departments across the organization based on their skills and interests. As an innovation and design intern, Makenzie is assigned to the team responsible for some of the most forward-thinking products in the surf industry.

“Right now I’m working on two projects – one within my department and a group project with five other interns,” Makenzie said.

The group project will culminate the internship experience, with student teams presenting to visiting Nike executives.

“It’s a very big deal,” she commented.

This is the first time that a Cal State San Marcos student has interned in the Icon program, and Makenzie is working alongside students who hail from MIT and other top research institutions.

Sean Newcomer, assistant professor of kinesiology at CSUSM, says that Makenzie’s academic training in kinesiology and her hands-on experience working on his ongoing study measuring the biomechanics and physiological benefits of surfing for amateur surfers gave her a solid foundation for success at the internationally-recognized surf brand.

In addition, Makenzie credits other previous internship experience for making her Hurley application strong, including a position at Saddleback Hospital in cardiac rehabilitation where she worked with patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

At the end of the summer, Makenzie, who just graduated from CSUSM with her Bachelor of Science in kinesiology, will attend Cal State Long Beach to pursue a master’s degree in exercise science.

“My time at Hurley has shown me a whole other side to exercise science,” she said. “I can definitely see a future career for myself in sports performance – everything that I’m doing here could be the basis for my thesis in grad school.

Every day I come home from Hurley and I’m stoked – it’s an amazing opportunity to be part of this team and get to apply my passion for kinesiology in new ways.”

Six outstanding graduates were honored by CSUSM President Karen Haynes at a special awards dinner earlier this month. All were recognized for their academic excellence, service to the community and overcoming myriad challenges.

The six, nominated by faculty or staff and endorsed by their college’s dean, were selected from some 2,650 students in the Class of 2015.

Carlos Rosas, B.A. Psychology

President’s Outstanding Graduate

Deans’ Award for the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences, (CHABSS) Dean’s Award.

When Carlos was young, his farmworker parents lived in a home made of cardboard. But they never gave up their dream of a better life for their children, and they did everything in their power to make that dream come true.

Carlos didn’t let them down.

After graduating from high school, Carlos worked full-time while working to earn an associate degree in liberal studies from MiraCosta College. Struggling at first, his sense of purpose was ignited when he co-founded the Human Rights Council of Oceanside with the goal of educating local immigrant communities about their civil and human rights. Meeting with day laborers, Carlos was struck with how heartened and encouraged they were to meet a young Latino in the process of obtaining a college degree.

“As a result of these experiences, Carlos rededicated himself to his education,” said Psychology Professor Heike Mahler.

Upon transferring to CSUSM, Carlos worked in Mahler’s research lab, designing and implementing several ambitious projects, among them examining the mental health effects of intra—versus inter—group discrimination among Latinos. Once completed and published, the project will be the first quantitative study of its kind. Carlos also broke ground on a research project examining how young people communicate about substance abuse and mental health issues on social media. And he is a co-author of two manuscripts based on this research—both are under review for publication.

Carlos, president of the CSUSM chapter of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, has been named to the CHABSS Dean’s List every semester since he enrolled at the University. And he’s been offered the Abraham Lincoln Fellowship at the University of Illinois, Chicago, for graduate study in psychology.

“Carlos is one of the most highly recognized and successful students in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences,” said President Haynes. “He has taken every opportunity afforded him at Cal State San Marcos, and his academic and extracurricular achievements are truly impressive.”

Panos Kotselas, B.S., Business Administration

Dean’s Award for the College of Business Administration

“Panos Kotselas is a global business management student who excels in understanding cultures, domestic and international business, as well as management concepts and the ability to apply them,” said Klaus Schryen, director of the Global Business Management Option. Kotselas also speaks four languages—English, Spanish, Greek and German.

And he is a quick study. Panos learned German just two months prior to embarking on the capstone of his studies, a six-month internship at multinational conglomerate Daimler AG in Germany. At Daimler, Kotselas earned rave reviews as he found himself working with multinational suppliers around the globe.

Has served as president and vice president of marketing for the CSUSM Global Business Management Association, where he planned and hosted bi-weekly events and guest speakers for audiences of more than 250 students. He also has played on the CSUSM men’s soccer team for four years and was named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete for two successive years. In addition, he was named an NAIA “Champion of Character” and his teammates named their annual Coach’s Award after him.

“This accomplishment does not make me content, but makes me want to push harder to achieve more of the goals and dreams I have set for myself,” Panos said.

Maricela (Marcie) Gonzalez, M.A. Social Work

Dean’s Award for the College of Education, Health and Human Services.

Marcie’s journey epitomizes the struggle of Mexican migrant farm workers. One of nine children, she grew up in the Central Valley, where her father was employed as a seasonal farmhand. With no English-speaking skills, Marcie and her family lived in overcrowded migrant camps for several months each during the harvest.

“It was in this challenging environment where Marcie first encountered a social worker who helped her family secure basic needs,” said Jacky Thomas, a professor in the Department of Social Work. “Marcie describes this experience as a defining moment in her life—she knew at that moment that she wanted to be a social worker.

Marcie’s exemplary academic record and unfailing professional behavior are even more notable as she is raising two young sons while her husband, who is active duty military, is often deployed for much of the year. Last year, she successfully interned in a competitive, complex and rigorous field placement at the Lake Elsinore Child and Family Clinic in Riverside County.

Said Gonzalez: “I want to be able to bring about social change because I have a profound concern for individuals and society as a whole.”

Josephine Gonzales, B.S., Cellular and Molecular Biology

Dean’s Award for the College of Science and Mathematics

Josephine’s research is focused on solving critical issues in immuno-suppression and the impact on wound healing, and data she has generated will be submitted for publication this summer. Her research has already been presented at the National Conference of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science; the American Association for Immunologists; and the Cal State San Marcos Symposium on Student Research, Creativity and Innovation. She also participated in a summer research internship at the University of Miami in 2013.

“Josephine is passionate about helping others to be successful in the sciences,” said Julie Jameson, an assistant professor of Biological Sciences. “She actively engages in the Learning Assistant and Supplemental Instruction Programs; in the after-school weekly STEM program at Vista Magnet Middle School; and in STEM cafés at local elementary schools. And, as if this isn’t enough, Josephine is one of our most energetic STEM Ambassadors, performing everything from classroom demonstrations, rocket launches, and hands-on lab activities to tours of the labs, STEM Center and campus.”

Gonzales is planning to pursue her Ph.D. at Cornell University.

“I hope to continue my work in helping increase diversity in the sciences and continue to promote STEM programs throughout the nation. I’d also like to continue to support diversity programs that help others, like my younger self, who do not know what a scientist does and the career path it allows.”

Keith Gemmell, MBA through the Fully Employed MBA (FEMBA) Program

Graduate Studies Dean’s Award

Keith graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University and subsequently began working for Moonlight Productions in Vista, where he managed operations for events at the Moonlight Amphitheatre and AVO Playhouse. Several years later, he decided to return to school and pursue his MBA at CSUSM.

“Drawing on content from the MBA program, he was able to enhance his professional work experience, including developing marketing materials and strategies, maintaining facility budgets, negotiating contracts and agreements, and supervising event projects,” said Mohammed Oskoorouchi, associate dean of the College of Business Administration and director of Graduate Programs.

Halfway through his FEMBA program, Gemmell accepted a job as community coordinator for the City of Carlsbad, where he oversees the creation and implementation of library programs.

“For me the greatest accomplishment I take away from my graduate school experience is proving that my parent’s hard work to raise six boys was worth it,” Gemmell said. “They are deeply proud of my accomplishment to be the first in our family to complete a master’s degree and even more proud of the enhanced husband and father I have become.”

Haley Perko, B.S. Kinesiology

Dean of Students Award for Outstanding Leadership

The Dean of Students Award for Outstanding Leadership is given to a graduating student who, while maintaining excellence in academic achievements, has also exhibited leadership through student-centered service, inclusiveness, teamwork and innovation. Perko has been elected to several positions in student government and currently serves as President and CEO of Associated Students, Inc., where she oversees a $1.2 million budget benefiting student life and activities at CSUSM. In addition, she has been a Resident Advisor for two years in University Housing and is actively involved in her sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi, as activities chair. She’s also a member of the Kinesiology Club.

“Haley has demonstrated the true spirit of `servant leadership’ by finding the time and energy in her busy schedule to volunteer for multiple community service projects, such as Donate, Don't Dump; Habitat for Humanity; and the American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Walk,” Said Christian Chavez, assistant resident director at University Village.

Perko will be moving to Austin to work with AmeriCorps.

“Being a leader is about making a difference and encouraging others to become leaders themselves,” Perko said. “We all have a say, and we all can make a difference. Sometimes we just need that extra push to realize our individual potential.”

Hyun Gu Kang, assistant professor of kinesiology at Cal State San Marcos, is intrigued by why falls occur and what can be done to prevent them.

“In kinesiology, we learn about how balance, stability and postural control systems work,” Kang said. “I want to know what is happening when they don’t work. Two of my great grandparents lived up to 100. Both had falls and passed away within a week of the incidents. They were healthy and it was the fall that took them.”

In February Kang launched a nine-week fall prevention program at the San Marcos Senior Center. Nine elderly men and women enrolled in the twice-weekly class taught by certified FallProof™ instructor Mary Jo Preti. The class allows the seniors to learn valuable fall prevention strategies while giving CSUSM’s kinesiology, nursing and human development students the opportunity to collaborate and practice their classroom learning in a real world setting.

Kang believes that falls are not an inevitable part of aging.

“Falls are preventable,” he said. “The prevention is not always expensive or complicated. I wanted our students to have the knowledge and skills to do something about it. They have a responsibility to the community.”

The class is based on FallProof^TM, a prevention program developed by Debra Rose, professor of kinesiology at Cal State Fullerton. Rose’s program, used in retirement communities and senior centers all over the country, includes screening and assessment, and exercises to improve balance, gait, flexibility, posture, strength and endurance. Instructors use devices such as stability balls, cones and foam pads in the exercise routines.

“We improve balance by taking away the things we use to help ourselves,” Kang said. “We ask the seniors to place their feet on squishy foam pads so that they cannot use their feet to balance. Sometimes we ask them to close their eyes so that they cannot use their vision. We take away the use of the arms, so that they find other ways to balance.”

On a recent afternoon, about a dozen CSUSM students stood alert, watchful and ready to help as the seniors began their exercises. Among them was Chris Dobson, a kinesiology major, who walked with Mary Wood as she made her way around numerous orange cones placed on the floor.

“It’s been a great experience,” Chris said. “I’m learning how to interact and engage with seniors, and practice safety protocols. I am thinking of becoming a certified fall prevention instructor.”

For seniors like Wood, the class is an opportunity to learn exercises that can keep her safe.

“I move too fast and I tend to fall,” Wood said. “I’m also trying to improve my balance and the strength in my legs. If you don’t use it, you lose it.”

As they work together the CSUSM students and the seniors in the class have developed an easy camaraderie. While the seniors are appreciative of the attentive help in the class, the students are learning from the intergenerational experience.

Audrey Oliver took slow and steady steps as she walked backwards while kinesiology major Breanna Merson kept a close watch on her.

Oliver beamed at the student.

“She reminds me of my granddaughter,” she said.

Merson said she enjoyed working with the seniors.

“It’s great to work with Audrey and all the wonderful people here,” she said. “I have grown attached to all of them.”

Nursing student Lea Lewis has seen many instances of seniors who end up in hospitals after falls.

“It’s a great idea to teach fall prevention to seniors because it’s such a big issue in health care and the aging population is growing so much,” Lewis said. “Falls can lead to so many complications and hospitalizations.”

Class instructor Mary Jo Preti said it was a great benefit to have the CSUSM students assist her in the class.

“They are very good,” Preti said. “I can do so much more in the class with their help. They have great suggestions. There’s a lot of give and take both ways.”

As the class wrapped up, Preti stood in the center of the room and looked around.

“That was very nicely done interns,” she said to the CSUSM students. “Let’s have a round of applause all around.”

The Escondido native is a fourth year kinesiology major with an emphasis is pre-physical therapy and is set to graduate in May. She strives to act as a strong advocate for the student population and is a dynamic representative of the university.

Why did you choose CSUSM?

I don’t think I really chose CSUSM, I think CSUSM chose me! I was planning on going to Sonoma State but some things fell through at the last second and I ended up enrolling at Cal State San Marcos. I wouldn’t have it any other way. This was the perfect school for me because it is small, family like and close to home. I have really grown up with the University in these past four years.

What do you like the most about this university?

I love the potential of CSUSM and I look forward to seeing how much more it has to offer down the road. This university has given me so much and I cannot wait to give back in any way I can. Also, our campus is so beautiful—all of the other CSU campuses are jealous! Finally, I love the close-knit kinesiology department because all of the faculty and staff in this department are amazing and are always there if you need a helping hand.

Can you tell me a little bit about your career with ASI?

This is my third year of being a part of the ASI Board of Directors. I was a college rep for the College of Education, Health and Human Services, the chair of the Board, and now I am president. My freshmen year I was a volunteer for Campus Recreation, which was formally an ASI entity, so I guess you could say I have been involved since the beginning.

My responsibility as president is ultimately to be the voice of students. ASI’s mission is to serve, engage and empower the students. I am able to do this through meetings with different University officials such as President Haynes and Provost Oberem, as well as sitting in on many University-wide committees such as the Academic Senate, the Academic and Student Excellence Success Fee Task Force and the 25th Anniversary Committee. Along with this, I help oversee the Board of Directors and their actions. It is also my job to promote team work and have fun while doing it, of course.

Are you involved in any other student organizations?

Yes, I am a member of the Kinesiology Club and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. I was also a resident advisor at the University Village Apartments for two years, and that really became my home away from home. I have to give it credit for many of my successes here at CSUSM.

What are your future goals?

I will be moving to Austin, Texas, next year to partake in a year of service with AmeriCorps. I will be working with the non-profit organization College Forward as a college completion coach.

As far as long-term goals, I would like to attend grad school and focus on something that will eventually lead me to a career in higher education. It is amazing to see how your career goals shift as you gain more experience and knowledge throughout your undergrad career. What you do outside of the classroom is just as important in helping find yourself as it is inside of the classroom. It is hard to say where I will be a year from now, but I think if I was looking far, far, far out into the future I would like to be a university administrator and return to where my college career and self-growth began!

"Studies have been recently conducted with professional surfers in competition, but there is limited research on the average person who surfs recreationally," said Assistant Professor of Kinesiology Sean Newcomer. "This study gives us an opportunity to consider the physiological benefit of surfing for amateur surfers of all ages and fitness levels, including both men and women."

While the concept of surfing appears simple—all you technically need is a wave and a surfboard—anyone who has attempted surfing knows that the reality is much more complex. Physically speaking, surfers are essentially strong swimmers with a keen sense of balance. Stamina and upper body strength are crucial in order to paddle from the shore through breaking waves to reach the surf line. Once there, surfers wait on their boards and then paddle intensely when a quality wave presents itself. As the wave peaks, a surfer must stand rapidly and smoothly from a lying down position, balancing in a fluid upright position as they glide on the breaking wave toward the shore.

"Surfing can definitely be considered a form of interval training that combines short, high intensity bursts of speed with a recovery phase, repeated during exercise training," said Newcomer.

Students Ride a Wave of Hands-On Research

The research project is part of Newcomer’s course, Introductory Exercise Physiology 326. About a dozen students who took the course during fall 2013 are now interns on the project, mentoring the 40 students who are currently in the class. The student mentors are responsible for every aspect of the research protocol, which includes both laboratory and field work.

"Last year’s students are helping to teach this year’s students how to use the lab equipment while advising and training them," said Newcomer. "This is a terrific opportunity for the more experienced students to take on a leadership role while allowing the current students to apply what they are learning in the classroom to a real-world project. And the added benefit is the outreach to the community in the recruitment of surfers to participate in the study."

Students meet research participants at the beach to outfit them with waterproof heart rate monitors that are synchronized to a video camera filming them while they are in the ocean.

"I help analyze the data to match up the heart rate of the surfer to the activity that they are doing in the water–paddling, riding waves, sitting stationary on the board or other miscellaneous activities," said former kinesiology student Alyzza DeMesa. "We also record their maximum and minimum heart rates and how much time they spend in the water doing each activity."

The Science of Surfing

In the laboratory, research participants take part in a number of activities that test their anaerobic and aerobic fitness levels. Using a Biodex isokinetic machine, which applies computer-controlled resistance, students assess the strength of the subject’s quadriceps and hamstrings. The test helps them determine the role of leg strength in a surfer’s stance and balance.

"I get them all strapped up and make sure that they’re completely snug but comfortable," said kinesiology major Erik Tolentino, who graduated this past May. "I line up their knee with the machine and then also check for any internal or external leg rotation by having them do a couple of practice kicks. This is important because if their knee is not properly aligned with the machine, there is risk of damaging the ligaments due to the high resistance."

Students also test the participants’ upper body muscular power and utilization of oxygen using a swim bench customized with a surfboard to simulate paddling.

"With each participant we switch roles," said Chelsea Peters, a senior kinesiology major. "We are all responsible for informing each participant what they will be doing and why we are performing this particular protocol. During this particular test, one person takes the heart rate every 50 seconds, one person runs the metabolic cart, one person takes down the watts put out by the participant every 10 seconds, one person holds the hose out of the way and everyone cheers the participant on!"

Over the next two years, Newcomer and his students hope to study 600 surfers.

"Many surfers believe that while surfing is fun, it’s not necessarily a viable form of exercise on its own," said Newcomer. "This information has so far shown that surfing is very beneficial to the cardiovascular system and is a great part of a healthy lifestyle."

"It’s one thing to learn about the effects of exercise, but it is another to actually see it happening," said Peters, who is planning to go on to graduate school for her master’s in athletic training and a doctorate in physical therapy. "Actually being able to conduct research has changed the way I learn. I have been able to learn concepts and apply them in the lab. I know what to look for while testing and I am able to point out when something is abnormal. I know a lot of us are now considering going into research because of the opportunities afforded to us at CSUSM."

On the Breaking Edge: What’s Next

Newcomer and his students recently presented data from this study at the Southwest Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Conference in Costa Mesa and are now collaborating with multiple research groups in Australia. In the coming months, many of the laboratory-based studies will be transitioning from the swim bench into the water using a specialized swim flume that was recently purchased by the kinesiology department for these and other studies. The surf research group will also begin collaboration with the Southern California region’s growing multibillion-dollar surf industry."Starting in the spring, we look forward to working with several companies to help with product testing and design," Newcomer said.

Conducting both field and lab research, kinesiology undergraduates and faculty observe study participants at the beach and in a simulation lab on campus, analyzing the heart rates, oxygen intake, activity levels and paddling mechanics of surfers.

The research being led by CSUSM professor Dr. Sean Newcomer and his team is the first of its kind on recreational surfing, and studies both male and female surfers ranging from their teens to 65 years old.

Heart Health and Ocean Waves

“While studies have been conducted with professional surfers in competition, there is limited research on the average person who surfs recreationally,” said Newcomer. “Our research gives us an opportunity to consider the physiological benefit of surfing for amateur surfers of all ages and fitness levels, including both men and women.”

For some, the concept of surfing may appear simple – all you technically need is a wave and a surfboard – anyone who has attempted surfing knows that the reality is much more complex. Physically speaking, surfers are essentially strong swimmers with a keen sense of balance. Stamina and upper body strength are crucial in order to paddle from the shore through breaking waves to reach the surf line. Once there, surfers wait on their boards and then paddle intensely when a quality wave presents itself. As the wave peaks, a surfer must pop up rapidly and smoothly to his or her feet from a lying down position, balancing in a fluid upright position as they glide on the breaking wave toward the shore.

“Surfing can definitely be considered a form of interval training which combines short, high intensity bursts of speed with a recovery phase, repeated during exercise training,” said Newcomer.

Students Ride a Wave of Research

The research study began as part of Dr. Newcomer’s course, Introductory Exercise Physiology 326, in the fall of 2013 and has since branched off into multiple studies, each led by teams of undergraduate researchers. The students are responsible for every aspect of the research protocol, which includes both laboratory and field work.

“Last semester’s students are helping to teach this semester’s students how to use the lab equipment while advising and training them,” said Dr. Newcomer. “This is a terrific opportunity for the more experienced students to take on a leadership role while allowing the current students to apply what they are learning in the classroom to a real-world project. And the added benefit is the outreach to the community in the recruitment of surfers to participate in the study.”

In one of the studies, students collect and record field data from surfers. Meeting research participants at the beach, students outfit the surfer with a waterproof heart rate monitor which is synchronized to a video camera filming them while they are in the ocean.

“I help analyze the data to match up the heart rate of the surfer to the activity that they are doing in the water – paddling, riding waves, sitting stationary on the board or a miscellaneous activity,” said senior kinesiology major Alyzza DeMesa. “We also record their maximum and minimum heart rates and how much time they spent in the water doing each activity.”

Hands-on Laboratory Experiments Delve into Surf Fitness

In the laboratory, research participants take part in a number of activities that test their anaerobic and aerobic fitness levels. Using a Biodex isokinetic machine, which applies computer-controlled resistance, students assess the strength of the subject’s quadriceps and hamstrings. This test helps researchers determine the role of leg strength in a surfer’s stance and balance. 

“I get them all strapped up and make sure that they’re completely snug but comfortable,” said kinesiology major Erik Tolentino. “I line up their knee with the machine and then also check for any internal or external leg rotation by having them do a couple of practice kicks. This is important because if their knee is not properly aligned with the machine, there is risk of damaging the ligaments due to the high resistance.”

Another study is testing participants’ upper body muscular power and utilization of oxygen using a swim bench customized with a surfboard to simulate paddling.

“With each participant we switch roles,” said Chelsea Peters, a junior kinesiology major. “We are all responsible for informing each participant what they will be doing and why we are performing this particular protocol. During this particular test, one person takes the heart rate every 50 seconds, one person runs the metabolic cart, one person takes down the watts put out by the participant every 10 seconds, one person holds the hose out of the way and everyone cheers the participant on!”

Over the next two years, Dr. Newcomer and his student researchers hope to study 600 surfers. 

“Many surfers believe that while surfing is fun, it’s not necessarily a viable form of exercise on its own,” said Dr. Newcomer. “This information has so far shown that surfing is very beneficial to the cardiovascular system and is a great part of a healthy lifestyle.”

“It’s one thing to learn about the effects of exercise, but it is another to actually see it happening,” said Peters, who is planning to go on to graduate school for her master’s in athletic training and a doctorate in physical therapy. “Actually being able to conduct research has changed the way I learn. I have been able to learn concepts and apply them in the lab. I know what to look for while testing and I am able to point out when something is abnormal. I know a lot of us are now considering going into research because of the opportunities at CSUSM that we have been given.”

Join the Study

Surfers who are interested in participating in the study are encouraged to email snewcomer@csusm.edu.

“Studies have been recently conducted with professional surfers in competition but there is limited research on the average person who surfs recreationally,” said Assistant Professor of Kinesiology Sean Newcomer. “This study gives us an opportunity to consider the physiological benefit of surfing for amateur surfers of all ages and fitness levels, including both men and women.”

While the concept of surfing appears simple – all you technically need is a wave and a surfboard – anyone who has attempted surfing knows that the reality is much more complex.  Physically speaking, surfers are essentially strong swimmers with a keen sense of balance. Stamina and upper body strength are crucial in order to paddle from the shore through breaking waves to reach the surf line. Once there, surfers wait on their boards and then paddle intensely when a quality wave presents itself. As the wave peaks, a surfer must pop up rapidly and smoothly to his or her feet from a lying down position, balancing in a fluid upright position as they glide on the breaking wave toward the shore. 

“Surfing can definitely be considered a form of interval training which combines short, high intensity bursts of speed with a recovery phase, repeated during exercise training,” said Newcomer.

Students Ride a Wave of Research

The research project is part of Newcomer’s course, Introductory Exercise Physiology 326. Fifteen students who took the course during fall semester are now interns on the project, mentoring the forty students who are currently in the class. The students are responsible for every aspect of the research protocol, which includes both laboratory and field work.

“Last semester’s students are helping to teach this semester’s students how to use the lab equipment while advising and training them,” said Newcomer. “This is a terrific opportunity for the more experienced students to take on a leadership role while allowing the current students to apply what they are learning in the classroom to a real-world project. And the added benefit is the outreach to the community in the recruitment of surfers to participate in the study.”

Students meet research participants at the beach to outfit them with waterproof heart rate monitors that are synchronized to a video camera filming them while they are in the ocean.

“I help analyze the data to match up the heart rate of the surfer to the activity that they are doing in the water – paddling, riding waves, sitting stationary on the board or a miscellaneous activity,” said senior kinesiology major Alyzza DeMesa. “We also record their maximum and minimum heart rates and how much time they spent in the water doing each activity.”

Hands-on Laboratory Experiments Delve into Surf Fitness

In the laboratory, research participants take part in a number of activities that test their anaerobic and aerobic fitness levels. Using a Biodex isokinetic machine, which applies computer-controlled resistance, students assess the strength of the subject’s quadriceps and hamstrings. This test will help them determine the role of leg strength in a surfer’s stance and balance. 

“I get them all strapped up and make sure that they’re completely snug but comfortable,” said kinesiology major Erik Tolentino, who also plans to graduate this May. “I line up their knee with the machine and then also check for any internal or external leg rotation by having them do a couple of practice kicks. This is important because if their knee is not properly aligned with the machine, there is risk of damaging the ligaments due to the high resistance.”

Students also test the participants’ upper body muscular power and utilization of oxygen using a swim bench customized with a surfboard to simulate paddling.

“With each participant we switch roles,” said Chelsea Peters, a junior kinesiology major. “We are all responsible for informing each participant what they will be doing and why we are performing this particular protocol. During this particular test, one person takes the heart rate every 50 seconds, one person runs the metabolic cart, one person takes down the watts put out by the participant every 10 seconds, one person holds the hose out of the way and everyone cheers the participant on!”Over the next two years, Newcomer and his students hope to study 600 surfers. 

“Many surfers believe that while surfing is fun, it’s not necessarily a viable form of exercise on its own,” said Newcomer. “This information has so far shown that surfing is very beneficial to the cardiovascular system and is a great part of a healthy lifestyle.”

“It’s one thing to learn about the effects of exercise, but it is another to actually see it happening,” said Peters, who is planning to go on to graduate school for her master’s in athletic training and a doctorate in physical therapy. “Actually being able to conduct research has changed the way I learn. I have been able to learn concepts and apply them in the lab. I know what to look for while testing and I am able to point out when something is abnormal. I know a lot of us are now considering going into research because of the opportunities at CSUSM that we have been given.”

Surfers who are interested in participating in the study are encouraged to e-mail snewcomer@csusm.edu.