Texas Academy of Science Elections, Membership year 2025

 

Voting closed

Below are the biographies for the 2024 candidates. Please review these before you move on to the voting process. If you run into any issues, please contact [email protected]. If available, you can click on the candidate's name to view their CV or brief bio.  At the bottom of this page (after the list of candidates) is the link for voting.

Vice President

Vice President Candidate: Dr. Dennis Gibson II, Chair of Physical Sciences, Howard Payne University

Dr. Gibson II is the Chair of Physical Sciences at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. He is an Environmental-Analytical Chemist and is currently investigating how environmental pollutants impact the development of cells and their structure. His current research topic is investigating novel low-cost stains for imaging microplastics with fluorescent microscopy in various environments. He also developed HPU’s Summer Research Symposium which invites area high school students to perform summer research alongside undergraduate students. This program ends with an oral presentation and an abstract submission to a regional conference.

Non-Academic Director 2025-2028

Candidate: Dr. Darin Frye, Chief Science Director, Navy Medical Research Command, San Antonio

Dr. Darrin L. Frye is a decorated preventive medicine physician, former citizen soldier, global educator, and dedicated researcher. He served in Operations’ Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, earning the Bronze Star Medal with the Army, and selected International Physician of the Year by the Palm Beach Medical Society. As an Associate Professor for the Joint Special Operations University, Dr. Frye led the Science and Technology and Innovative Futures Department. He now serves as the Chief Science Director for the Navy Medical Research Command - San Antonio, where he leads teams focused on combat casualty care reducing preventable deaths on the battlefield.

Student Director 2025-2028 (one position)

Candidate: Mr. John-Ryan Lawrence, Undergraduate student, Texas A&M Kingsville

John-Ryan Lawrence is a first-generation student in his fourth year of undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University Kingsville. He is an aspiring public servant who conducts forensic nanochemistry research under the tutelage of Dr. Jingbo Liu and Dr. Sajid Liu of the TAMUK Department of Chemistry. John is heavily involved in serving the campus community. He serves as the engineering student body vice-president, the president of his American Nuclear Society student section, the vice-president of his Society of Physics Students chapter, and has previously served as the president of his American Chemical Society chapter and treasurer for his IEEE student branch. John is heavily dedicated not only to the advancement of science but to mentoring future leaders in the science and engineering professions. He serves as the executive officer and aerospace education officer for the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Squadron at Santa Gertrudis Academy High School and as a lead student ambassador with the American Physical Society. In both roles he serves to mentor future professionals at levels of education ranging from K-12 through undergrad. John strongly believes in leveraging scientific societies as vessels by which to educate and engage the public on scientific matters, he has been strongly involved in outreach towards local public schools and to the community at large.

Candidate: Ms. Dhivya Rajamanickam, PhD student, Baylor University

Ms. Dhivya Rajamanickam is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Biology at Baylor University, conducting doctoral research in the Arthropod Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Jason Pitts. Her research focuses on mosquito surveillance, blood meal analysis, and brain histochemistry of Aedes ageypti mosquitoes. She has been leading mosquito surveys at Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, analyzing host preferences of different mosquito vectors, and investigating avian malaria pathogens. Additionally, she is studying immunofluorescence-based brain histochemistry in Orco mutant Aedes aegypti to understand their olfactory mechanisms. Beyond research, she is passionate about teaching and mentorship. She has served as a Teaching Assistant, instructing Bio Heroes and BU Trees for freshmen in 2022, followed by Genetics Lab for sophomores. These experiences have strengthened her ability to communicate complex biological concepts and mentor students effectively. She is actively involved in leadership and outreach through various roles, including: Young Professionals, Texas Mosquito Control Association; Young Professionals, American Mosquito Control Association; International Recruitment Chair, CEGSS (Biology Department, Baylor University); Mental Health Ally, Baylor University, where she supports students by recognizing and addressing signs of mental health distress; and Volunteer at Mayborn Museum, Waco, Texas, engaging in community science outreach programs. Her long-term goal is to continue research focused on mosquito-borne diseases and vector biology.

 

VOTING CLOSED

 

You will be taken to a form, where you agree to abide by Texas Academy of Science voting guidelines (one vote per member, current members only).  After agreeing to the guidelines, you will be given a link to the voting website.  

Please note, this agreement form can only be submitted once per member, and it is the only way to access the voting website.  If you submit the form, then do not complete the voting process, you will not be able to resubmit your votes.  Please make sure to begin the voting process when you will have time to complete it.