Personnel

Outreach Personnel, Community Outreach and Education Program

Marti Lindsey, PhD, Director

Building bridges between groups and cultures has been Marti's delight, in one form or another, for over twenty years. Today, as director of the Community Outreach and Education Program at SWEHSC, she draws upon her experience in order to share information resulting from the research of toxicologists and environmental health scientists with the public and the K-12 education community and to facilitate partnerships between these groups.

Mediating and sharing information has also been the focus of Marti's own education, she holds a Masters of Library Science in Information Resources and Library Science and a Masters in Education. Marti has concentrated on library services and reading within the Native American population. Never content to rest, Marti is closing in on a doctoral degree in Library Science with a minor in Environmental Health.

Staff

Sylvia Kniest, Outreach Teacher

Sylvia Kniest recently retired from TUSD after teaching for 30 years. As a teacher she thoroughly enjoyed teaching government and American history to high school and middle school students. Kniest also enjoyed coaching high school cross-country. She started working in outreach six summers ago when she was hired to write the government lessons for the PULSE curriculum. She continues to work with Marti on various projects, such as TCE government lessons. Kniest helps write grants in order to fund outreach projects, and also helps with some of the outreach activities.   Click to expand

Selene Gardner, Outreach Librarian and Web Worker

Selene Gardner is working on the Health Literacy Website, doing web design. Her current title is Technical Expert. “There will be other projects as well, but the website is my primary focus for now,” says Gardner. Gardner worked with outreach last summer as an intern and really enjoyed working with her on previous projects. “I found that I have a great interest in the Environmental Health Sciences as a result and have been delighted to have the opportunity to continue in the topic of Health Sciences with this project,” says Gardner. Gardner loves to read and learn new things, that’s why she’s a librarian. “I suppose you could say I have a passion for information,” she says. “Music is also high on my list, especially jazz.” Gardner is looking forward to getting to know all the new and existing members of SWEHSC. “Here's to a GREAT summer!!”

Rachel Martinez, Student Science Writer

A great number of people have an aversion to science, and that doesn’t sit well with Rachel Martinez.  “Some people think that science is this exclusive club, in which you have to be a braniac to be apart of.  But really, science is EVERYWHERE! And it’s responsible for the way that many of us live our lives.”  Martinez is currently an undergrad working towards her degree in Nutritional Sciences and began working during the summer of 2010. Her job is to read through the grants that the researchers here at SWEHSC publish, and translate it into common language for the website so that everyone can read it without being too intimidated.  Although her science classes keep her busy, Martinez still has a passion for research and writing.  “I hope to gain a better understanding of the various research projects that are going on here at SWEHSC by writing about them.  This will not only inform the general public about our scientific goals, but my quality of writing will improve greatly as well.”  After graduation, Martinez hopes to continue learning by either going to graduate school or becoming a science journalist.

Amber Troy, Student Outreach Journalist

Amber Troy’s job description is to interview anyone who is involved with the college of pharmacy, science, environmental health, outreach… what have you, and to explain in everyday terms what that person does and who that person is. My role is important because I keep the public informed of our goals and the goals of others. I try to keep the public aware of environmental health issues and what is currently being done about them.   Click to expand

I never much liked my name. That is until someone told me that it was a jewel and a city, and made it sound so poetic. I’m the writer of the group. I have a passion for words. I very much enjoy playing with them, and using them to tell stories. I sometimes liken words to colors, and try to paint clear pictures with them. I enjoy my job at the college of pharmacy because I get to play with words and paint clear pictures of the people I interview, or at least I try. I have a passion for being creative both in work and play.
I started working at the college of pharmacy in January of 2008. I was surprised to get a call from Marti after I had interviewed for a similar job in another department. This job was something I had been very interested in doing, but had sort of given up on. It was pleasant surprise to receive the call.
I wanted the job, because I wanted to gain experience as a writer and journalist. This is my first ever-paid writing gig, which was and still is very exciting. My role has not changed all that much, but as I’ve gained experience my assignments have become more in depth and diverse. I began with interviewing researchers, who had been recognized for their work, and I still do. I also interview those involved with outreach. This summer I will branch out to cover outreach events, and will interview the participants. My experience here as taught me a great deal, not only have I learned about certain aspects of science but I have also learned a great deal about the people in the labs. I never cease to be amazed by their dedication to their research. I have learned a great deal about communicating, and listening. I am looking forward to the new experiences and opportunities I will have this summer.   Collapse

Barbara Lampkin, Student Outreach Staff

Barbara Lampkin is in an undergraduate student currently working to get into Pharmacy School. She is the office’s Jack (or Jill?) of all trades. She began working at the College of Pharmacy in January of 2009. “I was lucky enough to have met Marti through my medical teacher in my junior year of high school,” says Lampkin. She does whatever job is asked of her at the office. “My job is always changing, so it helps keep it interesting,” says Lampkin. “I help out in every aspect where ever anyone needs me.” Lampkin wanted to work here so that she could be involved with activities that help kids and to gain experience at the College of Pharmacy. Her main interests include working with computers and the internet.

“I applied to work on the PULSE curriculum in 2004 because I was intrigued by the opportunity to work with high school teachers in other curriculum areas on thematic units that actively engage students in the classroom,” Says Kniest. “I also was interested in creating lessons that dealt with environmental health issues.” She has gone from writing the curriculum to exploring ways to expand outreach activities into the community through seeking funding and writing grants to support greater outreach opportunities.
        Currently, besides working with COEC, Kniest also works part time at Trisports.com where she can share her passion with other athletes. She especially enjoys working with new runners and triathletes; helping them prepare for their first event. Kniest is an avid runner and has been for over 30 years. “I have competed in numerous ½ marathons, marathons and triathlons,” says Kniest. “I also enjoy swimming and hiking.”   Collap

Trisha Burns, Outreach Librarian Intern

Trisha Burns is an intern that will be joining the SWEHSC team this summer. Burns is a public school librarian and a graduate student in the SIRLS (School of Information and Library Sciences). “I wanted to do an internship for some hands on experience,” says Burns. “I hope that my experience as a science teacher and librarian will contribute to the activities that the outreach holds during the summer. ”Burns is interested in the health field and is hoping to apply to the National Medical Library Fellowship next year. “I am in hopes that this experience will give me an opportunity to see if the health field is something that I really want to pursue.” Outside of work and school, Burns enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies, reading books, and is a NASCAR fan.

Frank Bonetti, Environmental Health Intern

Frank Bonetti is an environmental health science major. He will be coming from Illinois this summer to intern at the college of pharmacy. Bonetti has a passion for environmental health- he is concerned about both the health of the environment and the people living in it. He enjoys music and playing the guitar. He has a passion for adventure, which is also something that is bringing him to Arizona this summer. He is eager to get out and explore other places. “I am going to be a stranger in a new city,” says Bonetti, without a hint of trepidation.   Click to expand

Bonetti will be taking on the role or researcher this summer. His job will be to research the current environmental health risks. He will gather data on current conditions in several communities to develop a methodology to establish an Environmental Health Needs Assessment for Arizona. . Already Bonetti has some great ideas of how to go about this, and is looking forward to the hands on experience he will be getting this summer. He will also take part in outreach events and will work with middle school students through various programs such as Pharm Camp.
        Bonetti heard about the internship and decided to do it because it was a requirement for his major, but also because he has a passion for the environment and is eager to gain more experience in the field of environmental health. When he graduates, Bonetti wants to be an environmental consultant, helping companies become ‘greener’, which is a positive trend that is becoming more and more popular as communities continue to become environmentally aware.   Collapse

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