UTEP microbiology professor honored nationally for training minority students

The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) has announced that Renato Aguilera, Ph.D., professor of biology and director of the graduate program in biology at The University of Texas at El Paso, will be the recipient of the 2010 William A. Hinton Research Training Award.

“This award clearly indicates that UTEP is on the forefront of student retention and mentorship for minority students,” Aguilera said.

ASM recognizes a notable person every year who contributes to the research training of underrepresented minorities in the field of microbiology. Candidates are considered through a nomination process and selected by a committee.

“Dr. Aguilera is a very highly acclaimed researcher, scholar and mentor to many students and is highly deserving of this award,” College of Science Dean Anny Morrobel-Sosa said.

Aguilera was first nominated for the Hinton Award in 2009 by former UTEP College of Science Dean Michael Eastman, Ph.D., for his leadership. Aguilera created the Student Research Training Center at UTEP that facilitates a majority of the student research training in biomedical sciences and is a recipient of the Research Initiatives for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) grant.

“Not enough minorities are involved in science and technology,” Aguilera said. “UTEP has received many grants to help minority students because state and private agencies recognize that fact.”

After receiving his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biological sciences from UTEP in 1981 and 1982, respectively, Aguilera went on to the University of California, Berkeley, where he received his doctoral degree. After a stint at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Aguilera returned to UTEP in 2002 as a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Aguilera will receive the Hinton Research Training Award at the 110th General Meeting of ASM held May 23 -27 in San Diego, Calif.

Information: http://www.asm.org .