2017 Contributors

Omari Baines

Omari was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, but moved to Tampa to attend the University of South Florida in 2010. She graduated from USF with a Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Chemistry. After receiving her Bachelor's, she continued at USF and earned a Master's in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Aging and Neuroscience. Currently Omari teaches chemistry at Tampa Bay Technical High School. She enjoys playing her trumpet and guitar, and listening to all different genres of music. This was Omari's second summer in the RET program.

Here is a link to her 2017 research poster, Perovskite Oxides as an Alternative Electrocatalyst in Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Here is a link to her 2017 lesson plan, Creating Clean Energy Through Redox Reactions

Ileana Bermudez Luna

Ileana Bermudez Luna was born and raised in Cidra, Puerto Rico and moved with her family to Tampa in 2002. She started working for Hillsborough County Public School (HCPS) in 2011 as a Bilingual Aide and Custodian. That same year, she had the opportunity to return to school to complete her college degree. After many challenges and hard work, she received her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Science Education from the University of South Florida (USF) in 2014. She has been working as a Chemistry Teacher for HCPS since then. She had participated in several research projects at USF including the Water Awareness Research and Education, and most recently in the Functional Material Research Institute. Having the great opportunity to participate in these programs has enabled her with important skills and knowledge that had made a significant difference on her teaching methods and strategies. She is a committed and enthusiastic science teacher that likes to motivate her students to discover the fascinating world of science. One of her most important professional goals is to encourage and inspire her students, especially Hispanics ones, to continue with their college education through her example of change, hard-work and perseverance. She has four children, three sons and a daughter, and enjoys spending time with them playing soccer, singing, reading, watching movies, and furthermore “doing science” at homes four children, three sons and a daughter, and enjoys spending time with them playing soccer, singing, reading, watching movies, and furthermore “doing science” at home..

Here is a link to her research poster, Theoretical Investigation of Hydrogen Sorption in Metal-organic Framework NOTT-101

Here is a link to her lesson plan, Introduction to VSEPR Theory and Molecular Geometry

Henry Cabra

Henry Cabra received his PhD (2014) and MS degree (2009) in Electrical Engineering from University of South Florida. In addition, he also holds a Masters in Communication and Technological Innovation from the Instituto Latinoamericano de La Comunicación Educativa (ILCE), México, 2007. His BS is in Electronic Engineering from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia in 1994. Currently, he is a professor in the Engineering Technology program at Polk State College. Most recently, during summer 2017, he conducted research with the Advanced Materials and Biocompatible Interfaces Research (AMBIR) Group, where he worked with Dr. Sylvia Thomas, of the Department of Electrical Engineering. His research examined some basic parameters linked to electrospinning and the PCPU polymeric solution impregnated with Silicon Carbide (SiC) nanoparticles to produce fiber membranes. His work in design, simulation and assembly in Advanced Materials and Biocompatible Interfaces Research has led him to receive a patent in energy harvesting, "Mini notched turbine generator", US 9618002 B1. The "Mini notched turbine generator" is a turbine generator, capable of integration into a bio-physiological or microfluidic system. Dr. Cabra has plenty of experience in the electrical and electronics fields, in areas such as digital electronics, microprocessors, design of systems of median power, control, automation and robotic as well as project management. He us currently working in developing relevant curricula in applied technology projects to improve and develop products required by advanced technology firms.

Here is a link to his research poster, Electrospun PCPU-SiC Nanofiber Capacitor

Here is a link to his lesson plan, Introduction to Capacitors

Nicholas Hutchinson

Nicholas recently completed his third year of teaching Physics and Chemistry at Jefferson High school in Tampa. He received his Bachelors of Science in Secondary Science Education with a specialization in Chemistry. This was his second summer in the program.

Here is a link to his 2017 research poster, FMRI RET 2017-Tunable Bandgaps of WS2(1-x)Se2x Alloys

Here is a link to his 2017 lesson plan, Foam Box Spectroscopy

Nigel Jagoo

Nigel received a B.A. in Biological Sciences from the University of Tampa, an M.S. in Medical Sciences from the University of South Florida, and is working towards his M.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Florida. Currently, he is an instructor at Hillsborough Community College, where he teaches Microbiology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Drugs and Nutrition. He is also currently an EET Peer Evaluator of science teachers for Hillsborough County Schools. This was his second summer participating in the RET program.

Here is a link to his 2017 research poster, Decreased time of incubation via Thermoplasmonic heating

Here is a link to his 2017 lesson plan, Thermoplasmonic Heating and Cancer Biology

Carey Lam

Carey Lam currently teaches biology and zoology at Tampa Bay Technical High School. This is the second summer she participated in the RET program. She has found that the RET program provided her experience that is invaluable and she is excited to bring it back to the classroom.

Here is a link to her 2017 research poster, Binder-Jet Printing of Bimodal Powders

Here is a link to her 2017 lesson plan, Build-A-Heart

John H. Meyers

John is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher at Brandon High School. He runs their Computer Systems and Information Technology (CSIT) program and the new Applied Engineering Technology program. He loves technology of all facets, especially 3D printing, building custom computers, and VR. His experience with 3D printing allowed him to really contribute to the ongoing research here at USF in 3D printable nanocomposites and have an absolute blast doing it. These experiences will help make his engineering program so much more real world and meaningful. More than anything though, he loves serving in the LDS church and going on adventures with his beautiful wife and three amazing kids.

Here is a link to his research poster, Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocomposites for 3D Printed RF Devices

Here is a link to his lesson plan, Material Properties of 3D Printed Parts

Erica O'Rourke

Erica moved to Tampa, Florida three years ago and is a second time participant in the Functional Materials RET. She grew up in Kings Park, New York and earned her Bachelors of Science in human biology at the University at Albany. Erica was part of the Five Quad V.A.S. where she volunteered as an EMT throughout her college career. After she graduated, she participated in relief work in Port au Prince, Haiti where she did check ups at local orphanages and taught local Haitians basic first aid responding skills. When she moved to Tampa she became a biology teacher at Sickles High School. She has been teaching for three years and loves teaching all 9th grade biology classes. In addition, she is the first teacher sponsor for the Sickles Interact Club, associated with the Rotary Club. Recently they earned two national awards, the Zone 34 award and the Presidential Citation award. Erica looks forward to supporting her students who are interested in the STEM related fields and sharing her exciting experiences with her students.

Here is a link to her 2017 research poster, MOF PCN-333 Synthesis for Chemical Fixation of CO2

Here is a link to her 2017 lesson plan, Synthesis of SIFSIX-3-Zn