Honors and Awards:

The Heritage of Odessa Community Statesman Awards honor local individuals for their outstanding contributions to various areas of the Permian Basin community.

Heritage of Odessa Community Statesman Awards, 2022

Outstanding Resident Research Award, Texas Tech School of Medicine, 2000

2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

America’s Top Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Consumers’ Research Council of America,

2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

ACOG Educational Cognate Award, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,

Special Licenses/Certifications:

Diplomate of the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons

Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Fellow of the Texas Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Professional Activity:

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Texas Medical Association

Texas Association of Obststricians and Gynecologists

Ector County Medical Sociaty

Publications, Lectures and Presentations:

Hydroxylation reactions of aromatic compounds have been used to detect hydroxyl radicals produced by gamma irradiation and ultrasound. The present study investigated the suitability of terephthalic acid (THA) as a hydroxyl radical dosimeter for general use in biologically relevant reactions. Hydroxyl radicals were generated by: (1) irradiating, THA with a 254 nm ultraviolet; (2) irradiating with gamma rays from a cesium source; and (3) generating hydroxyl radicals with 1 mM H2O2 and 10 μM Cu+2. In each of the three experiments, a fluorescent product was generated which exhibited identical fluorescent excitation and emission spectra. THA is non-fluorescent, eliminating the problem of a high initial background. Because THA has four ring hydrogens, only one mon-hydroxylated isomer was formed. The hydrogen peroxide reaction was dependent on the presence of a metal and cupric ions were effective in enhancing the reaction. With a Cu+2 concentration of 10 μM, the reation was linear between 0–30 mM H2O2. Catalase abolished the reaction at a concentration of 100 μg/ml and the effects could still be observed at 10 ng/ml, consistent with the very high rate at which catalase destroys hydrogen peroxide. Tertbutyl- hydroperoxide did not generate any fluorescence in this system which makes THA a very specific detector of hydroxyl radicals.

Researcher, Terephthalic acid: a dosimeter for the detection of hydroxyl radicals in vitro, Life Sci 56(4):PL89-96, 1995, 1995

Educational Background:

Houston Baptist University

Bachelor of Science – Chemistry

Bachelor of Science – Biology

1992