CONTACT: Clara Mae Marcotte

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TAMUK PROFESSOR FIRST RECIPIENT OF NATIONAL AWARD

KINGSVILLE (September 15, 1998) -- Dr. John C. Perez, Texas A&M University-Kingsville biology professor, didn't know his students had nominated him for a national award, so he was quite surprised to receive notification that he was the first recipient of an Undergraduate Institution Mentoring Award sponsored by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), a national award intended to recognize faculty that give above and beyond the call of duty in mentoring students in science.

"This is more than I ever expected," Perez said. "I've spent 26 enjoyable years working with students and faculty at Texas A&M-Kingsville. It's been an exciting time; there's never been a slow moment. My students have always had a high level of excitement and they've always achieved their goals."

Perez's students, many of whom have gone on for advanced degrees, have done research on the resistance of certain warm-blooded animals to snake venom, published papers in journals, presented papers at local, national and international conferences, and many have won research awards.

Perez's students were looking through a SACNAS booklet and saw a nomination form for the new mentoring award. Maria Susana Ramirez, a monoclonal technician from Alamo who received her bachelor's in biology from Texas A&M-Kingsville in December 1997, said, "We nominated him because he was perfect; he fit the profile."

Perez is one of the mentors in the Ronald E. McNair Scholar Program at Texas A&M-Kingsville. His students present and publish research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. Maria L. Gonzalez, assistant director of the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, also wrote a letter of nomination. She said Perez had worked with the McNair program since before its inception. "He was vital when our department submitted the original grant. From the moment I approached him for support with our program, I knew that he was a unique individual. He has proven that and so much more."

"Fantastic," said Dr. Steve Smith, biology department chairman. "He's well deserving of this award since he's been mentoring students for over 25 years and has been very dedicated to students."

Perez has received many honors during his time at Texas A&M-Kingsville. He has written more than 25 research grants that have been funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Education, and foundations. He is the project director of a $3 million grant funded by the National Institutes of Health/Research Infrastructure in Minority Institutions (NIH/RIMI). This grant has provided funding for the construction of a modern research serpentarium, which will provide toxins for cancer research.

Dr. Manuel Ibáñez, distinguished professor of biology and former Texas A&M-Kingsville president, said, "I'm delighted to hear this. My colleague John Perez has taken the lead in introducing young Hispanic students and, in fact, all students to the techniques of science. In this age of increasing technology, it will be people like John who will introduce these youngsters to an interest in science that will turn them into the scientific professionals of the future. This is a well

deserved honor."

Texas A&M-Kingsville president Marc Cisneros said Perez embodies the qualities in a faculty member that help distinguish this university from others.

"Texas A&M-Kingsville has a reputation for providing a nurturing environment to its students because of John Perez and others who have been true mentors," Cisneros said. "His caring attitude makes a lasting impression on students, and they will carry the positive experience with them forever."

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