TExAs Fast Scholars Program Participants
Dr. Briana Hauff Salas
Dr. Salas is an Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Sustainability at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Salas is the Project Director of the TExAS FAST program and serves as the program head of Biology and the Environmental Science and Sustainability programs. Her professional interests include climate change, coral biology, and human-environment interactions. Personal interests include reading, gardening, being outdoors, exercising, and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Professor Adam Bynum
Professor Bynum is an Instructor of Biology at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Professor Bynum is the co-Project Director of the TExAS FAST program. His professional interests include computational biology, evolution, and population genetics. Personal interests include breeding aquarium fish, hiking, gardening, creating scripts for data analysis, and taking care of his pet birds.
Mia Curiel
Mia is studying Environmental science with a double minor in technical writing and biology . She is in her third year here at Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio. She is originally from McAllen, Texas. She joined the TExAS FAST program her first semester of her sophomore year. She appreciates the opportunities she has gained through being a part of the TExAS FAST Cohort 1.
Emilio Gutierrez
Emilio is a sophomore at OLLU, majoring in Theology and minoring in Environmental Science. Emilio joined the program in order to understand how to further protect the environment from harm and promote conservation. His personal interests include martial arts, playing instruments, traveling, hiking, meeting new people, and creative writing.
Rudy Morales
Rudy Morales is a sophomore at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, where he’s diving deep into Biology and Environmental Science. A recent San Antonio transplant from South Carolina due to his military family background, Rudy has diverse interests that range from nature and traveling to swimming and cars. Besides hitting the books, he’s also making strides on the OLLU track team. His participation as a scholar in the TExAS Fast program reflects his ambition to combine healthcare with environmental insights, aiming to become a nurse nutritionist. Through the program, he looks forward to new experiences and forming valuable connections throughout the community!
Victoria Muniz
Victoria Muniz is a junior at Our Lady of the Lake University with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Environmental Science. She was born and raised in Austin, Texas. She works for the OLLU Athletics department and is a scholar in the Texas Fast program. Her personal interests include hyper-realistic painting, collecting funko pops, attending the gym and going on long walks with her dog. Victoria joined the Texas Fast Scholarship program because of her participation in volunteer work and personal stories that have helped her strive to learn more about her community in a more educated manner. She is most excited to build out-of-the-classroom opportunities of exploration to successfully make a difference for the entire community.
Ethan Navarro
Ethan is currently a sophomore at OLLU. His major is Biology while minoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability. His interests include spending time gaming, hanging out with friends, exploring San Antonio, and running track for the University. He looks forward to learning the different ways to protect the environment and the sustainability efforts that we can make to improve our home for future generations.
Ruby Rangel
Ruby Rangel is a sophomore at Our Lady of the Lake University at San Antonio majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Environmental Science. She was born and raised in Edinburg, Texas, in Rio Grande Valley. Her personal interests include reading fiction books, listening to music, cats, and dance. Ruby joined the TExAS FAST program as a scholar because of her interest in the way environmental science and chemistry interconnect with each other and wanted to be a part of something that encourages exploration. She is most looking forward to the vast opportunities, challenges, and experiences to which the program will lead her.
Sofia Gonzalez de la Vega Reta
Sofia is a transfer student, and she is a senior at Our Lady of the Lake University and is majoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability with a minor in Biology. She is from Mexico City and currently lives in San Antonio, but she also studied and played tennis at Collin College for two years and earned her associate degree in the science field. She plays for the tennis team and enjoys working out. She participates as an associate scholar at the TExAS FAST program, and the reason why she joined the program was because she wanted to gain more experience for her education and career opportunities. Her personal interests are listening to music, baking and cooking, hanging out with her friends, and visiting outdoor places where she can take pictures.
Karis Alcoser
Karis started as a freshman at OLLU in Fall 2024. She is majoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability with a minor in Chemistry. She is also a part of the Futuro Leaders program and is curious about a career in environmental law. Outside of school she enjoys working out, learning about true crime and exploring local coffee shops.
Adrian Alvarez
As a student at Our Lady of the Lake University, Adrian is majoring in Biology and minoring in Enviromental Science and Sustainability. He has a strong passion for soccer and is determined to return to top form after recovering from a hamstring injury. He loves learning and always strives to grow and improve, keeping a positive mindset even when facing challenges. Off the field and outside of class, he enjoys spending time with friends and embracing new experiences.
Clarissa Briones
Clarissa is an incoming freshman Fall 2024, planning to major in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She is super excited to be a part of this program and explore the many topics and opportunities offered . Some things she likes to do are listen to music, take care of her plants and read books.
Ava Lyn Caballero
Ava Lyn is an incoming freshman Fall 2024. She graduated high school with her Associate Degree in Science. She is majoring in Communication Disorders and double minoring in Psychology and Environmental Science and Sustainability. She decided to join the TExAS FAST program to be able to learn with a new group of people and be a part of a community. She enjoys crocheting, running, swimming, and animals, especially dogs. She also loves styling clothes.
Amancio Castilleja
Amancio is a sophomore grade-level student in Fall 2024. He is currently majoring in Computer Information Systems and Security and minoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability. He decided to join TExAS FAST and study Environmental Science to further his education in these areas and to be a part of a community in which he can make a positive impact. Outside of school, he enjoys running, biking, drawing, and reading. He is looking forward to the unique set of experiences he can learn from with OLLU.
Taylor Camacho
Taylor is an incoming freshman Fall 2024. She graduated high school with an Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She decided to apply for the TExAS FAST program because of the experience and her passion to learn new things. On her free time, she enjoys running, trying new food, reading, and volunteering. At OLLU she plans on joining various clubs that are oriented around those hobbies.
Victoria Cruz
Victoria, who goes by Tori, is majoring in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She chose Enviornmental Science and Sustainability because she is interested in developing innovative solutions to reduce carbon footprints and promote renewable energy adoption. She wants to contribute to the development of strategies that balance ecological integrity with economic growth. She aspires to be a catalyst for change, working collaboratively with communities, policymakers, and businesses to create a sustainable and resilient future for all.
Melany Cruz
Melany is an incoming freshman Fall 2024, majoring in Psychology and getting a double minor in Environmental Science and Sustainability and Spanish. She joined the program to expand her theoretical and practical knowledge of the environment. In her free time, she loves going to the gym and watch movies. She also really likes drawing and writing and is looking forward to getting more involved on campus.
Marlia de Jesus
Marlia is a freshman who started OLLU in Fall 2024. She is majoring in Biology and minoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She decided to join the TExAS FAST program to create new experiences while learning about the environment, and for all the opportunities it will bring her. Outside of school she enjoys reading, swimming, and being with family and friends. She's always looking forward to meeting new people and making new memories.
Adriana Figueroa Rodriguez
Adriana is a freshman this Fall 2024 semester. Her major is Environmental Science and Sustainability because growing up in Puerto Rico made her appreciate and admire nature, especially since moving to Texas and seeing the obvious environmental contrast. Being part of the TExAS FAST program is ideal because it is guiding her and giving her new experiences that will help her achieve her goals in environmental science. Outside of school, she likes to spend her days cycling, reading, making crafts and being on her phone. She is looking forward to the many opportunities OLLU has available.
Priscilla Forey
Priscilla is an incoming freshman Fall 2024. She attended Travis Early College High School and earned her Associate degree in Liberal Arts May 2024. Her grandmother’s love for nature sparked her interest in environmental science, and her unfulfilled dream of education motivated her to major in Environmental Science and Sustainability, minor in Public Health, and join the TexAS FAST program. She is passionate about environmental protection and education and aims to create more eco-friendly cities across the world, honoring her legacy by striving to create a brighter future. She loves to read, hike, and garden outside of school.
Alondra Garcia
Alondra is a first-year student Fall 2024. She is currently double majoring in Biology and Chemistry, as well as minoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She decided to join TExAS FAST and study Environmental Science to deepen her knowledge of her nearby community and simply just to learn more about how beautiful our environment is. Aside from school, she enjoys playing tennis, painting, and singing at her community church. She is so excited to experience all of the opportunities OLLU has as well as building new friendships.
Hailey Harrison
Hailey is a freshman whose major is Criminal Justice and Criminology and minor is Environmental Science and Sustainability. She joined the TExAS FAST program because she want a better understanding on how to help the environment we live in. She especially wants to help the beautiful animals that live in our environment. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and music. She loves all animals and weightlifting. She is eager to make new friends and learn from new experiences.
Daiana Jones
Daiana is a first-year student majoring in Biology and minoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She decided to join TExAS FAST because she wanted to have a different college experience and learn new things every day. She chose Biology because she wants to prevent people from getting sick and try to cure everyone around her. She enjoys baking new recipes and shopping with her mom. She has a little garden that my family and her planted when she moved. She has a fig tree, pecan tree, a tomato plant, chili plant and lemon tree. She loves fishing with her parents and spending time together. She has 2 dogs which bring joy into her life. She is most looking forward to being part of a community and being with friends that have the same interests as her.
Zulma Juarez
Zulma, who prefers to be called Nessa (her middle name is Vanessa), is an incoming freshman with a major in Accounting and a minor in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She decided to join TExAS FAST because she is interested in learning about the environment and how to protect it for future generations. Her interests outside of school include reading, journaling, scrapbooking, rewatching her favorite shows on Netflix, hanging out with friends and dancing. She is looking forward to making new friends and participating in lots of events.
Maks Luna
Maks chose to major in Environmental Science and Sustainability in order to grow in her knowledge of how to help the world around her. She has always loved helping even the smallest creatures and as a child you’d always find her outside looking for lizards and butterflies to take pictures of, absolutely in awe of their beauty. That love for nature has stuck with her today and she still finds herself going outside to marvel in the peacefulness of the environment around her. Maks is very passionate about cleaning up the planet and giving back to it, so you’ll always see her stopping out of habit to pick up litter or trash in my path.
Evelyn Martinez
Evelyn started as a freshman at OLLU in Fall 2024. She is majoring in Biology and minoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She has a leadership role in Sigma Zeta, the Math and Science Honor Society. When not busy with schoolwork, Evelyn enjoys spending time with her family and her pets, watching movies with friends, and making art.
Noah Mendoza
Noah is a first-year student here at OLLU going for a major in Psychology Pre-Counseling with a minor in Environmental Science and Sustainability. He enjoys furthering his understanding of how he can contribute to an eco-friendly society. Outside of school, he enjoys games, movies, music, and other, so-called "geeky" stuff. In college, he wants to get to know people and build more long-lasting, meaningful relationships, whether that be as a friend or classmate. He hopes to use this time at OLLU to make a positive impact on people’s lives.
Tiara Navarro
Tiara is a freshman this Fall 2024. She is majoring in Political Science and minoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She chose to join TExAS FAST and study environmental science so that she could be a part of a group that she feels will help her and not allow her to fail. She wants to have a better understanding of human behavioral patterns. Her passion for this comes from wanting to make an impact on environmental protection through our legal system. Outside of school she enjoys reading books, spending time with my family, and spoiling her dogs. She is looking forward to meeting new people and starting a new journey.
Angel Santacruz
Angel is currently a freshman at OLLU majoring in Biology, with a double minor in Chemistry and Environmental Science and Sustainability. He has always loved helping people and feels like being a TExAS FAST scholar can help him learn about environmental science and also allow him to fulfill that goal. He likes the concept of how we can improve our environment by eliminating the use of pesticides on our crops and decreasing the use of plastic.
Keyli Smith
Keyli is a freshman majoring in Graphic Design and minoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability. The reason she chose to join the TExAS FAST program is because she seeks solutions for global warming and wants to contribute towards changing our world’s lifestyle and decrease the greenhouse effect. She is also eager to expand her knowledge in Environmental Science. She enjoys drawing art and watching television.
Jacoby Turner
Jacoby is an incoming sophomore Fall 2024. His major is Business Finance and minor is Environmental Science and Sustainability. He decided to join TExAS FAST because he thought it would be a great opportunity to diversify his learning and meet new people. Outside of school, he is passionate about all kinds of sports, including baseball, basketball, golf, and volleyball. Staying active through sports is his way of staying focused. This year, he is most looking forward to finally diving deeper into his studies.
Rosa Ventura
Rosa is an incoming freshman Fall 2024. Her major is Political Science, and she is double minoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability and Business Administration. She joined TExAS FAST because she likes learning about the environment and she wanted to try something new and interesting. In the future she hopes to become a lawyer that can help people. In her free time, she enjoys reading and watching movies on Netflix. Her favorite pastimes include traveling, exercising, and painting. She is a shy person, but I can be more outgoing once she feels more at ease. She claims that despite not being very good at sports, she likes to play basketball, tennis, and golf because it helps her release stress. She looks forward to making memories while meeting lots of new people and participating in events.
Vivian Rodriguez
Vivian is a freshman at OLLU planning to double major in Psychology and Business Management with a minor in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She decided to join the TExAS FAST Program with hopes of not only gaining a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience, but making changes in our world, no matter the size, one day at a time. She strongly believes that a lot of what we have at the palm of our hands is taken for granted--our beautiful environment being a prime example of this. Her main goal is to spread awareness and provide solutions for common issues our environment may face. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with family; she's an introvert at heart! Since elementary school, leaving home for college has been her biggest dream, so the fact it has finally come true, along with amazing opportunities such as this program, is the greatest blessing ever! She is excited for her overall experience here at OLLU: creating new friendships, gaining diverse perspectives, and simply getting herself out there!
Valeria Ruiz
Valeria, who goes by Val, is an incoming freshman Fall 2024. She is majoring in English with a minor in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She decided to join the TEXAS Fast program because she thought it was a great opportunity to know more about the problems in our ecosystem and environment that we confront every day. Some of the things she is into are mystery documentaries, reading comics, mangas, and classical books, and listening to every type of music. She likes baseball and golf, enjoys watching musicals, and writing (which was her main reason to major in English). She is also interested in everything related to fashion and beauty. She is an introvert, but hopes to continue introducing herself to new people and opening herself up to new cultures and interests!
Monique Jimenez
Monique transferred as a junior at OLLU with a major in Social Work and a minor in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She is the Living Learning Coordinator for the TExAS FAST program. She was born Brownsville, Texas, in Rio Grande Valley. Joining the TExAS FAST program as there were multiple opportunities to help out the community and learn about it at the same time. Her interests include reading, hiking, and being with her friends, and family.
Michaela Mendez
Michaela started their degree at Our Lady of the Lake University in the fall semester of 2024. They are currently a junior pursuing a degree in Environmental Science and Sustainability. Born in Corpus Christi, Michaela has roots in Texas but was raised in other states due to their father’s military service. With marine ecosystem health at the forefront of their interests, the TExAS Fast program provides opportunities to make connections with other like-minded individuals concerned with the health and sustainability of the environment at the local, state, and national level. In their free time, Michaela enjoys playing guitar and exploring music stores around town.
Valerie Morales
Valerie is a transfer student from ACCD, her Major is in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She became a part of OLLU in the Fall of 2024. Valerie is a mother of two who holds a master’s degree in Chinese medicine and has a passion for nature. This Tejana identifies closest with her indigeneity and connects with her community through this lens. She is drawn to understanding more the science behind indigenous land management practices and supporting those systems that uplift those traditions. A longtime San Antonian, she was born in El Paso, Texas where she still has family living today. She has a background in community engagement and advocacy work; most recently focusing on local environmental justice campaigns. Her favorite hobbies are gardening and learning about native species and spending time with her family. She joined the TExAS FAST Program to help further her understanding of the intricacies and opportunities within the Environmental Science field and to connect with other like-minded folks. She believes that learning never ends and despite attaining the highest levels of education, that there is always something to be learned from those around us (elders/youth/plants/animals/land).