Crew 152A

LIZ MITCHELL - CREW COMMANDERLiz Mitchell is an assistant professor of biology at McLennan Community College. She received her BS in biology and MS in biotechnology from Texas A&M University. She teaches microbiology, genetics, majors biology, and non-majors biology. She is part of a coalition of teachers aiming to get inquiry-based learning into science classrooms at MCC.

This is Liz’s third time at MDRS, and second time as a commander with students. She is very excited about her upcoming crew and about the amazing experience that is MDRS.

Prior to coming to MCC, Liz worked in Boston in the biotechnology industry. She worked for the microarray division of the Harvard Partners Center for Genetics and Genomics and for Immunetics, Inc. At Immunetics, she was a member of a research and development team that designed a new way to detect bacterial contamination in platelet transfusion products.

SAMUEL THOMAS - XOMy name is Samuel. I heard about MDRS from both of my engineering professors (yes this is a nod to you, Sidwell and Andreas). The more I learned about the opportunity, the more it intrigued me. I like building and designing things, especially if I get to actually build a design I have completed myself. Working with teams is also a huge deal for me. I'm a freshman (kind of) pursuing an electrical engineering degree at Texas Tech, or possibly A&M, and will continue my education there when I finish at MCC. I have experience with many types of electronics and simple wiring, so ask me for help and I'll do what I can! I'm a tinkerer by nature.

KAREN RUCKER - LEAD ENGINEERMy name is Karen Rucker, and this is my first year of engineering at MCC. After obtaining my Associate's in Electrical Engineering, I plan on transferring to Tarleton to earn my Bachelor's in Engineering Physics through MCC's University Center. I will be making my first trip to MDRS as Chemist and Head Chef for Crew 152A. My research will include designing and testing radio repeaters to enhance communication while in sim. With this project I am pushing myself into new areas of research that I hope will further my knowledge of digital systems and electrical engineering. I know many of my crew members already and am really excited to work with them and meet new people as well.

DREW CANHAM - CREW JOURNALIST & ASTRONOMERDrew Canham is the Vice President for Student Success at McLennan Community College. He earned a B.A. in English Literature from Elmira College, a J.D. from Ohio Northern University and a M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Texas Tech University. Professionally, Drew has experience in student housing, student conduct, as a university ombudsman, and as an air traffic controller in the United States Air Force. He also served as a Member of the Graduate Faculty for Texas Tech University, and has taught Higher Education and the Law, Administration of Higher Education, American Higher Education, and the President's Cabinet. He has also taught XL: Strategies for Success at Texas Tech and a Student Success course at Ohio Northern University.Drew’s academic interests include higher education law, academic integrity and generational differences among students. His personal interests include spending time with his family, cowboy action shooting, sports, travel, and family history. He has co-authored a local-history book, Legendary Locals of Orleans County (2012), about the people of Orleans County, New York, where he is originally from.

LUIS MUNOZ - HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICERHowdy! My name is Luis Munoz and I am very excited to be a part of Crew 152A. I am currently a Petroleum Engineering major. My research project involves taking soil samples and testing them for methane in order to gain a better understanding of hydrocarbons.