Camarillo, Calif., April 13, 2011 – CSU Channel Islands (CI) will welcome to the campus Dr. Alejandro Briseno, Assistant Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Briseno will speak on the topic of “The Future of Power and Energy Through Nanotechnology” on Wednesday, April 20, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Martin V. Smith Center for Integrative Decision-Making, Room 1908. Briseno will follow his presentation with a keynote address, “Si, Se, Puede: Succeeding in the Face of Adversity,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the same location.
On Thursday, April 21, Briseno will present a keynote address at Oxnard College, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) students, faculty and staff, “Si, Se, Puede: An Underrepresented Scientist Represents Science.” The Wednesday and Thursday events are free and open to the public.
Briseno will detail the remarkable story of the journey that led him to a career in science. As a young man, the murder of his father in Los Angeles led him to the decision to direct his life away from hopelessness, violence and self-destruction. He enrolled at CSULA and, during his time there, teachers recognized his potential, mentoring and training him in research. They provided him the inspiration and confidence to be a scientist, allowing him to complete his B.S. at CSULA. He was awarded a fellowship of over $100,000 to continue graduate studies in chemistry. After completing two Master’s degrees (CSULA and UCLA) and his doctorate (University of Washington), as well as a postdoctoral study at UC Berkeley, he accepted an appointment at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
This program, funded by CI’s HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) STEM, represents the final program in the Diversity Speaker Series for the current year. Briseno’s personal story and his life of achievements make a compelling and inspiring presentation. He is a strong believer in the power of mentoring students and that dedicated faculty can be true agents of change in a student’s life.
For further information about Briseno’s presentations, please contact Dr. Phil Hampton at 805-437-8869, or philip.hampton@csuci.edu.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.