Three College of Science Students Accepted To the Prestigious Forensic Science Summer Program in Scotland
Paola Ganda, Sabrina Gayle, and Luz Porras have been accepted to the prestigious and competitive summer forensic science program at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland. The main aim of the program is for students to gain knowledge and hands-on lexperience in forensic science practices and the criminal justice system in Scotland. The three week program is run by faculty at Glasgow Caledonia University and experts from the Scottish Criminal Justice System. The program includes hands-on laboratory experience in finger printing, drug analysis, hair and fiber analysis, and field trips to the Courts, Prisons, Police Force and Fire Investigation Unit.
All three students are high-performing seniors who plan to pursue graduate work in forensic science. All three students have interned with the El Paso Country Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit and Major Crime Unit for several years.
Paola was born and raised in El Paso and graduated from Montwood High School in the top ten percent of her class. She is on the Dean’s List Plus (overall and majors GPA at least 3.5). Since starting UTEP she has been a work study in the Dean of Student’s office, a member of the American Society for Microbiology and Women in Science and Engineering, and found time to volunteer for Project Move, Orange and Blue Day, El Paso Animal Services, and the sheriff’s department. She originally attended Texas A&M and moved to UTEP the following semester to be close to her family.
Sabrina was born in California and raised in El Paso. She graduated from Mission Early College High School where she completed 66 college-level courses. She was offered scholarships from 12 different universities and choose UTEP because of the forensic science program. She is a recipient of the President’s Excellence Scholarship. Last summer she traveled around Guatemala and El Salvador with a medical team providing medical care to the poor. In her spare time she like to create custom elaborate cakes and cookies.
Luz Porras was born and raised in El Paso and graduate from Hanks High School where she was a member of AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination). She choose UTEP after she participated in the summer UTEP Prep program and was offered the Presidential Excellence Scholarship. She is a member of the MP (Medical Professions Organization) and has works at the UTEP ticket center.
All three young women will offer workshops to the other forensic science majors via the Forensic Science Club when they return to UTEP in the fall.