Ed Misquez
Associate Director and Co-Principal Investigator

Congratulations to Ed Misquez on his retirement from NMSU. Ed has served as the Associate Director for RASEM Squared/RTP and all of its predecessors starting in 1992. He was a tireless and inspirational leader, keeping us up and running through thick and thin, rain and shine. Ed has left us with many fond memories and a sense of commitment towards our work. The example he set for us as a leader and a friend will be long remembered and more importantly, cherished. Ed is now pursuing one of his life-long dreams of being a Deacon in the Catholic Church, just the latest in his long list of accomplishments in his life.  We wish Ed and his wife Kathy all the best in this new phase of their life together.

Hi! The lady next to me is my wife, Kathy Sowa, and although you can't see them, the mountains in the background are the Organs (140 to 500 million year old Mesozoic and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks 8500 feet thick resting on top of Precambrian formations), east of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Mesilla Valley, where I was born, is world famous for its chili (or is it chile) and hot and spicy New Mexican food. Before moving back to Las Cruces, Kathy and I lived and worked in Chicago, and way before that, while on the payroll for Uncle Sam, I even did a stint in Vietnam in 1968 as an Army field radio repairman.

But really, my life began on October 8, 1983 when I severed my spinal cord at T11-12, the last two thoracic vertebrate (that's about naval high), in an automobile accident. Before then, I considered myself a fairly sensitive guy-thought I was aware of people's needs, especially those with disabilities, even though, up to that time, I had had only brief encounters with them when opening doors for wheelchair users. Little did I know then that I would be undergoing the experience of a lifetime, especially from the perspective of being in the other person's shoe(s). Since then the adventure has been at times exciting and ordinary, at others joyous and painful, frightening and inviting, and still others enlightening and filled with a greater ever-growing sense of compassion. And, yes, I brought all the old baggage from pre-accident days.

Ironically, my disability lent structure to my life and advocacy became the key word-one project lead to another. I helped establish the first independent living center and wheelchair basketball team in southern New Mexico and became involved in a number of community and university groups and boards struggling with disability issues. My old job as a production supervisor became untenable from a wheelchair, so in the summer of 1984 I returned to school at New Mexico State University and earned an associates degree in engineering technology and a masters degree in tech writing. My bachelors being from New Mexico Tech.

A few of my favorite sites are listed below if you've a mind to check them out:

• Eyescream cartoons - J. Callahan
• Keirsey Temperament Sorter
• Steven Wright jokes
• Art
• Information from Hubble
• National Science Foundation
• Pictures from Hubble

Richard Turietta
Director RASSI 2005/Assistant to the Director - RASEM ²

Hello, I am the TOP (Teacher Outreach Program) Coordinator and main recruiter for RASEM 2 . I have a degree in Physics with a minor in math and really enjoy working with students. I am originally from Albuquerque, NM, but have been in Las Cruces since 1983 (minus one year spent as a Co-Op student in California working for NASA Ames...).

I enjoy a great deal working on the RASEM ² project. Every summer I direct our RASSI camp (RASEM ² Summer Science Institute), a program designed to spark students' interest in science and math. The greatest thing about this job is the variety, no two days are the same.

I have lots of hobbies, including computers, chess, RV'ing (we own a 34 foot Bounder), working on my yard (!), and music...

I am also very happily married to my lovely wife, Jill, who is a Special Education Teacher here in Las Cruces.

If you have any questions about RASEM², or NMSU, please contact me .

Randy Larry
Mentor Coordinator

Randy Larry is our new mentor coordinator for RASEM ² . He has worked for the NMSU College of Education - Advisement Center for several years. His contribution to the program is invaluable and he is looking forward to working with mentors and staff. He has new plans for the mentorship proogram. Mentors will be visiting and assisting teachers and students in the science, technology, engineering, and technology areas at local elementary, middle, and high schools. The mentors will be assisting and contribute to the future success of students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

There will be other student projects at other partner institutions in New Mexico, western Texas, and eastern Arizona.

If you have any questions about the mentorship program, please contact Randy

Belen Lowery
Assistant Director

Belen Lowery is the Assistant Director for RASEM². She has worked for NMSU for nine years, while attending college part time. She received her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration in March 2005 and Associates Degree in Secretarial Administration in 1982 and received two certificates in Administrative Assistant and Legal Aid Assistant in May 2001. Her leisure time is spent with her family and friends. Her hobbies include swimming, cooking, and reading.

Jacqueline F. Sanders
Program Facilitator

I have been with RASEM² since August 2002 as the administrative assistant. I retired from White Sands Missile Range after 37 years of working in communications. Me and my (late) husband were licensed as foster parents with " Chins " (Children in Need of Supervision) and later known as " Families and Youth Inc." from July 1983 thru April 1, 1989. Most of the 60 children were boys with behavior problems between the ages of 8-17. Among them two were young ladies who needed special care.

Before coming on borad with RASEM² , I worked with Surveying Engineering at NMSU for approximately four years.

My hobbies are crocheting, reading and spending time with my family.

John-Michael Herrera
Computer Geek

I have been working with RASEM Squared for about three years now. I work as one of the main illustrators here at the RASEM Squared office. I am also the software guy of the office geek squad. I am currently majoring in computer science and hopefully will graduate sooner or later.

Some of my hobbies are reading manga, watching anime, drawing, fixing computers, and making coffee. I hope to graduate and move on to art school where I can learn the tricks of the trade and may be land a job with a game developer or animation company.

Here are some of my favorite sites:

Rose Chavarria
Technical Co-Assistant

I started working here ar RASEM² in about the middle os this past May, and hopefully I'll be here throughout the rest os the year. I am a senior here ar NMSU, soon to graduate this coming May with a BS in Engineering Physics with the Mechanical Engineering option. As to what I am going to do when I graduate, I still have no idea, but some options I am considering are graduate school in astronomy, or physics, or maybe try to get a job in a research related environment.

My hobbies are playing Gauntlet(thanks to my fiancee), reading(when I have the time), singing(but I'm too shy to sing in front of anyone), drawing and writing poetry. I also enjoy listening to music, just about everything except country. I mainly like metal, hair metal, and late 80's early 90's music.

Veronica Herrerra
Technical Co-Assistant

This is my first semester working for Rasem²(2006). I am a Freshman and I'm majoring in Fashion Merchandising and may be psycology. I love travelling, spending time with my friends, listening to music. I play soccer and coach an 8 and under soccer team. I have gone to Spain, Mexico and on my way to Costa Rica and Panama. 

Shweta Gaddam
Webmaster

I have joined Rasem² in August 2006. Present I am doing Masters in Computer Science. I am from India.

I love sports, listening to music and dancing.

Pulla Reddy
Webmaster

I am working as webmaster for Rasem² since September 2006. I am a full-time graduate student at NMSU. I am doing my major in VLSI.

Listening to music, watching and playing cricket are my interests.

Andrea Fragoso
Student Staff

I have worked for RASEM Squared office for one semester. Iam a student at Doña Ana Branch Community College. I have not yet decided what major I want. Some of my hobbies are Swimming, dancing, sewing, watching horroe movies, car racing and spending time with my family & friends. Sewing is one my favourite hobbies because I love to sew quilts. Iam happy to be working at the RASEM office becaue I like the people that work in the office

Former Project Associate - Cameo Black

I went to Las Cruces High School where I was an honor student and received a scholarship to attend college. I was active with the girls basketball team as well as other extra curricular activities.

She is now working for Raytheon.

Former Project Associate - Courtney Burma

I'm a graduate of Onate High School here in Las Cruces, NM. I have lived in Las Cruces since I was 4 years old so I'm fairly native to New Mexico. I was born in Iowa, and all of my family live in Minnesota, but New Mexico is home to me.

She now has two children and lives in Phoenix, AZ.

Desiree Hoogerhuis
Student Staff

I have worked for RASEM² for two semesters. I am 19yrs old and will be an incoming sophomore at NMSU. I am double majoring in Mass Communications and Spanish hoping to become a news reporter. I will be studying in Malaga, Spain for the spring semester, then I will finish up at NMSU. I am an only child, and I love dogs, which I have four of. My hobbies are traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Former Project Associate - Harley Bergsma

As a native of Las Cruces, combined with growing up in the town of La Mesa, I feel well rooted to this area. Yet, I have traveled and lived in many other areas of the world. These being; Pakistan, when I was seven years old and later in Swaziland, Southern Africa when I was thirteen. I have traveled extensively thoughout the world, my last trip being a backpacking trip for a month in Mexico ('96).

He is currently living and teaching in San Diego.

John Burtz
Research Assistant

I am a student at NMSU and my major is Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. I am on the ten-year plan give or take a decade. I have been associated with RASEM² for the past seven years. Four of those years I have been working for RASEM² in the office.

My hobbies include sci-fi movies, books, TV, and anime. I like anything sci-fi. Some of my favorite movies are Dune, The Star Wars Saga, Star Trek, and Stargate just to name a few. My favorite TV shows are Stargate: SG-1, all the Star Trek Series, Farscape, Friends, West Wing, CSI, and JAG. I'll listen to anything but rap. My favorite bands include Rush, Yes, Pink Flyod, Blue Oyster Cult, Loui Armstrong, Van Halen (Hot For teacher!), and Asia. I also like to play Diablo II to and am a proud member of KATN Inc.

• Stargate: SG-1
• Rush

Jon-Claude Murphy
Network Administrator

I have been with RASEM Squared for a long time. I became a mentor in 2001, but was involved with RASEM² long before then. I would talk more about my past, but due to a non-disclosure agreement with the FCC, I am not at liberty to speak about events on or before my 18th birthday. Currently I am double majoring in Fire Science and Engineering Technology – Electrical. I am best known for being a Jack-of-all trades. I literally have a small workshop in the back of my little purple Nissan truck. However, I will soon add to my armada a Swiss made Pinzgauer 710-K. When I'm not working for RASEM Squared I spend most of my time volunteering with the Alamo West Fire Department, and I am a Rescue Specialist with Oregon Technical Rescue. I listen to just about everything, except Country music. Hey you gotta draw the line somewhere right?

Navin Kumar Vedagiri
Computer Specialist

I am working as a Computer Specialist @ RASEM-Squared. I recently graduated with Master's in Computer Science and I am planning to pursue Ph.D in NMSU. I have been working with RASEM- Squared since 2003 and I really enjoy working here. B'coz working atmosphere is so friendly.

I love to do programming with various programming languages.

My hobbies : Just listen to Music and watch TV. Recently I have started playing RacquetBall, Badmiton.

My Website, though I am the Web-Master for RASEM Squared, I have a poooooorly developed webpage for myself.

Vijay Kumar Suryadevara
Webmaster

I am doing my Masters in Computer Engineering at NMSU. I have recently joined RASEM² as Webmaster. I am from Warangal, a beautiful place in the southern part of India. I like programming in Java.

I like playing Cricket. I spend my leisure time watching movies, listening music and surfing the net.

Geraldine Yazzie
Research Assistant

I started working with RASEM Squared in September of this semester (2004). I am currently a junior majoring in Civil Engineering at NMSU. I am originally from Gallup, New Mexico; I am the oldest of three children in my family. I enjoy reading, playing basketball, spending time with my friends and family and traveling.

Nefretete Gardner
Research Assistant

I am an Electrical Engineering at NMSU and am brand new to the RASEM² office. Along with Ger, the other new student employee, I spend most of my spare time trying to keep the three Johns in line. When I'm not busy doing that, I enjoy listening to music, throwing pottery, and blowing glass.

Satish Chandra Tella
Webmaster

I am doing my Masters in Computer Engineering at NMSU. I have recently joined RASEM² as Webmaster. I am from Vijayawada, a beautiful place in the Southern part of India. I like reaserch in Wireless Networks. I like playing Tennis , Cricket. In my Spare time i listen to music.