
Contact Information
Name: Dr. Semarhy Quinones-Soto
Title: Lecturer, Biological Sciences
Office Location: SQU 320C
Email: e.quinones-soto@csus.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays | 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Education
BS in Microbiolgy, University of Puerto Rico, Humacao
PhD in Microbiology, University of California, Davis
Post-Doc in Bacterial Genetics, University of California, Davis
University & Other Appointments
Lecturer, Biological Sciences
Associate Project Director, CSU-LSAMP Statewide Alliance (SQU 226)
RISE Program Coordinator, NIH Research Initiative for Scientific Advancement (RISE) Program
CSU-LSAMP Research Coordinator, Science Educational Equity Program (SQU 320C)
SACNAS Chapter Faculty Advisor
Courses That I Teach
Current (Spring 2019):
BIO 184: General Genetics | Tue/Thu 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm, SQU 338
NSM 190: Senior Thesis Seminar | Fri 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm, SQU 142
Past Courses:
BIO 2: Cells, Molecules and Genes (activity)
BIO 7: Introduction to the Science of Biology (lecture & lab)
BIO 10: Basic Biological Concepts
BIO 100: Introduction to Scientific Analysis (activity)
BIO 184: General Genetics (lecture & lab)
BIO 220: Intro to Scientific Inquiry
BIO 223: Human Molecular Genetics
NSM 21: First Year Seminar
Professional Interests
I have a deep passion to mentor and advise students, particularly students from traditionally underrepresented groups, who are interested in pursuing research careers. I am deeply committed to improve the research experience of Sac State students by providing academic, research and career advise, graduate school preparedness and monitoring the students’ educational progress, while facilitating interactions between faculty mentors and student researchers.
As an undergraduate student at the University of Puerto Rico, Humacao (UPRH), I participated in the PR-LSAMP and the NIGMS-MARC research-training programs. Through the LSAMP and MARC programs, I gained research experience, effective mentoring and developed a sense of belonging in the research field. These research-training programs played a vital role in my development as a scientist and becoming a mentor for students who wish to pursue graduate degrees. As the current LSAMP/RISE Research Coordinator and Director of the Student Research Center, I wish to provide the same opportunities I had to our students here at Sac State.
I also volunteer as a STEM Diversity Leader with the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), and I founded the new SACNAS at Sac State student chapter. Through our chapter, I promote Diversity in Science Careers at the local and national level.
Professional Associations, Awards & Scholarships
Linton-Poodry SACNAS Leadership Institute - 2016 SLI Alumna
SACNAS - Advancing Chicano/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science
AAAS - American Association for the Advancement of Acience
CUR - Council of Undergraduate Research
Scholarships
NIH-IMSD Scholar, University of California, Davis (2003-2004)
MARC U-STAR Scholar, University of Puerto Rico, Humacao (2000-2002)
PR-LSAMP Scholar, University of Puerto Rico, Humacao (2000)
Publications
Quinones-Soto, S. 2017. Testimonio 12, In: The Latino Student’s Guide to STEM Careers. L.I. Rendon and V. Kanagala. Greenwood. 184-190 (ISBN 978-1-61069-791-0)
Sano, E., S. Maisnier-Patin, S. Quinones-Soto, J.P. Aboubechara and J.R. Roth. 2014. Selected Lac+ mutants in the Cairns system are initiated by pre-exiting cells with plasmid amplification. Genetics 198 (3), 919-933
Dragosits, M., V. Mozhayskiy, S. Quinones-Soto, J. Park and I. Tagkopoulos. 2013. Evolutionary potential, cross-stress behavior and the genetic basis of acquired stress resistance in Escherichia coli. Nature/EMBO Molecular Systems Biology 9(643)
Quinones-Soto, S., A.B. Reams and J.R. Roth. 2012. Pathways of Genetic Adaptation: Multi-step Origin of Mutants under Selection in Salmonella enterica. Genetics. 192:987-999
Quinones-Soto, S. and J.R. Roth. 2011. Effect of Growth under Selection on Appearance of Chromosomal Mutations in Salmonella enterica. Genetics. 189(1):37-53