Laura Chavez-Becker works in the Computing, Information and Networking Division, in the Webworks Group. She obtained her B.S. degree in business marketing from the University of Tennessee. She develops and manages internal and external web sites for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Her duties include working with customers to satisfy their many internet needs, such as surveys, forms, graphics, and on-line marketing of businesses. She also works on conferences and special event programs. She has taught computer courses at Pellissippi State Technical Community College as an adjunct instructor. Having worked for several commercial airlines as a flight attendant and ticket agent, often working weekends, holidays, and nights, Laura decided is was time to settle down to a fulltime "normal job." She was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. Laura enjoyed what the lovely four seasons Colorado Rockies had to offer. Her Hispanic roots come from both parents. Her father and mother were both born in this country, but his parents were Mexican, and her parents were Spanish. Both parents grew up speaking Spanish and English, but, unfortunately, they didn't speak Spanish as the primary language at home. Laura has one daughter, Lauren Maria, who was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. She enjoys her travels to Colorado visiting relatives; often being teased in a playful way because of her southern accent. Laura incorporates many "south of the border" cuisines in her cooking and enjoys passing on family traditions to her daughter. Off the job, Laura enjoys bargain hunting for antiques and collectibles, gardening, and traveling. She spends much of her free time in the role of mom, treating Lauren to as many adventures as possible.

Stan Cooper, Chemical Technology Division -- Since my father hails from Kentucky and my mother was born in Mexico, I have known a racially diverse childhood. As children, my brother, sisters, and I can recall interesting and amusing events because of our family's melting pot. I remember my mother trying to use old American sayings but getting them slightly confused, like; "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the fire and into the pan!" My father was not much better at his attempts at the Spanish language. He would start his Spanish sentences with "y'all" and his country drawl on Spanish words always drew giggles from mom's side of the family. I remember having traditional Thanksgiving dinners with turkey and all the trimmings; including servings of tortillas, refried beans, and salsa. I remember how mom used to give my dad a strange look whenever he ate sweets for breakfast, like pancakes and syrup. Sugars were just not part of her Mexican breakfast menu.

My mother had her customs, my father had his, and they lovingly accepted each other's. Their children did not suffer because of that acceptance; rather, they were twice blessed. As an adult, I am colorblind to racial differences. I try to see the real person, as my father did when he asked a young, single, lovely lady from Mexico to be his wife.

Arel Cordero, Robotics & Process Systems Division--The summer internship I just completed at ORNL marked my first longitudinal visit to this part of the country, I worked in robotics under Warren Dixon and Francois Pin, it was a great experience. My home for the last four years has been at the University of Oregon where I am finishing a B.S. in computer science, and a B.Mus. in violin performance.

I was born and raised in Oregon, my mother is of Mexican heritage and my father is Panamanian. I am fortunate that I grew up speaking Spanish at home. English, however, was an unavoidable second language and was soon absorbed from friends and the surrounding environment. I found out it is easy to become distant from your heritage if not careful. For instance, most of my friends growing up spoke only English so it eventually dominated my first language. By one perspective, this adaptation is desirable; it is what is meant by America the melting pot. On the other hand, coexistence is facilitated by an awareness of other ways of life so celebrating other cultures is useful and enlightening.

It may come as ironic, when I tell you my stay in Oak Ridge has brought me much closer to my heritage. Many of the people I met and worked with this summer were Hispanic or fluent in Spanish. As a result, I was able to use Spanish more frequently than I ever did at school. Other interns I met shared the same experience. Therefore, I think it is an appropriate celebration to highlight Hispanic heritage at ORNL and I am grateful for my participation in the celebration, and at this laboratory.

Felix C. Difilippo, Spallation Neutron Source -- Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. [E.E. (1964) National University of Buenos Aires, M.S. (1967) and Ph.D. (1978) Physics, Institute Balseiro (Bariloche, Rio Negro) National University of Cuyo and Atomic Energy Commission, Argentina] is a research staff member at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (since 1983), an adjunct professor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a fellow of the American Nuclear Society. He worked on neutron kinetics and noise analysis, measurements of cross sections, non destructive assay, criticality safety, reactivity monitoring, design of research reactors, free-electron lasers, design of production reactors and space propulsion systems, theoretical contributions on stochastic processes and the error analysis of the thermalization process in graphite, gas-cooled reactors, and medical applications of nuclear radiation for diagnosis (tomography) and therapy. His present works are related to the Nuclear Energy Research Initiative, the Fission Material Disposition Program and the design of the Spallation Neutron Source.

Although mainly a research worker, Felix also had teaching experience at the National and Catholic Universities of Buenos Aires (as a teaching assistant); the National University of Cordoba, Argentina; the Atucha Nuclear Power Station; and the Peruvian Institute of Nuclear Energy (as an envoy of the Atomic Energy Commission of Argentina for theoretical and experimental training in nuclear technologies). Later he directed master's and Ph.D. theses at Instituto Balseiro, the National University of Buenos Aires, and the University of Lima (Peru).

Felix came for the first time to ORNL in 1974 as an International Atomic Energy Agency fellow to perform experiments at the Oak Ridge Electron Linear Accelerator related to subthreshold fission phenomena under the direction of Drs. Rafael Perez and Gerard de Saussure. The second (and definite) coming of Felix was in 1979 as a research professor in the Nuclear Engineering Department of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

One of the main cultural shocks for Felix in the United States was the use of the words "Hispanics" and "Latins" together with the adjective-noun combination "white Hispanic" (or "Hispanic white"?). The reason for the shock is that Felix was educated in the European tradition which considers Hispania as the former province of the Roman Empire, later a superpower in itself and mother of nations and that relates the word Latin with the culture of the Roman Empire and the fabric of the Western Civilization.

Felix enjoys Italian operas and he becomes very emotional with duetos like "Addeso non perdono" that characters Santuzza and Alfio sing at the main square of Viccini, Sicily, during the performance of Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni.

Felix, in collaboration with other people, has won the U. S. Department of Energy NERI awards for1999 and 2001.

Jaime Fernandez-Baca is a senior research staff member in the Solid State Division (Neutron Scattering Section). Jaime was born in Lima, Peru. Lima is located on the west coast of Peru and has been historically referred to as the "City of the Viceroys". During the times of the Spanish domination (between 1535 and1821) it was the capital of the "Viceroyship of Peru" and the residence of the representative from the king of Spain. Lima's downtown area was built in the Spanish Colonial style, and it is currently being restored to its original splendor.

Jaime attended a primary and secondary Jesuit Catholic school in this city. His undergraduate degree in physics was obtained at the Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria (National School of Engineering), also in Lima. While in college, Jaime had the opportunity to visit relatives in Cuzco, the old capital of the Incas and presently known as the "Archaeological Capital of the Americas". Cuzco is located in the Andes Mountains at 11,500 feet above sea level. Jaime's visit included a visit to the impressive Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the world, the "lost city of the Incas," rediscovered early this century by a National Geographic expedition led by Sir Hiram Bingham.

After obtaining his undergraduate degree, Jaime started to work at the Peruvian Institute for Nuclear Energy, where he was first exposed to subjects like radiological protection and , nuclear reactor physics. It was during this period that Jaime was awarded a fellowship from them International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. This fellowship allowed him to come to the United States in 1979 to start his training in neutron scattering techniques at the National Bureau of Standards (later renamed National Institute of Standards and Technology) in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and at the University of Maryland in College Park.

In 1980 he was admitted as a graduate student in the Department of Physics at the University of Maryland, where he obtained his Ph.D. in physics in 1986. Later that year he joined ORNL, where he worked first as a research associate and later as a research staff member. While in Maryland, Jaime met Diane, whom he later married. Jaime and Diane live now in their home in West Knoxville. During his spare time Jaime enjoys reading books from Latin American authors such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Isabel Allende, Mario Vargas Llosa, and others. Among other extracurricular activities, he was a Consultant to the Knoxville Museum of Art during "The Spirit of Ancient Peru" exhibit in late 1997.

Juan J. Ferrada is a Staff Development Member of the Chemical Technology Division. He began working at the Engineering, Coordination, and Analysis Section doing research on applications of artificial intelligence in Chemical Engineering. He found applications of these tools in the waste management and modeling and simulation fields. He was the principal investigator of a project that developed an expert system in transportation of hazardous and radioactive materials. This software was later licensed to a small company created by employees of Lockheed Martin. Juan was a member of this company. Juan was also the creator of a simulation tool, FLOW, which has been used extensively in modeling a variety of chemical processes in the nuclear and industrial arena. Juan is currently working in a number of projects related to depleted uranium.

Juan obtained his Ph.D. and Ms. Sc. in chemical engineering with a minor in economics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He obtained his bachelor degree in chemical engineering at the Universidad Técnica del Estado en Santiago, Chile. He also obtained his civilian degree in chemical engineering at the Universidad de Santiago, Santiago, Chile. This degree is a Chilean degree that resides somewhere between a master's degree and a Ph.D. and allows the recipient to teach at a university. Juan taught chemical engineering at the Universidad de Santiago for 10 years. He also taught at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he is an adjunct professor. He is also an adjunct professor at Roane State Community College. While in Santiago, he owned two companies, one that manufactured stainless steel equipment for the chemical industry and the other engineering and consulting firm.

Juan is married to Maria Cristina Barriga and has a daughter, Loreto Ivonne. Maria Cristina is a Spanish professor at Roane State Community College. She obtained her Ph.D. and Master's Degree in Romance Languages at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Loreto Ivonne is finishing her Business Degree at the Pellissippi Community College. She is planning to attend UT next year. Maria Cristina has pioneered Spanish teaching in the web through the Tennessee Board of Reagents.

Juan and his family live in Farragut and enjoy the company of a little cocker spaniel that firmly believes she is another daughter of the family. Maria Cristina enjoys reading, interior decoration, and working in the web. Loreto Ivonne enjoys reading. Juan enjoys oil painting and doing things around the house in addition to soccer refereeing for the American Youth Soccer Organization.

Juan, Maria Cristina, and Loreto Ivonne were all born in Santiago, Chile. Santiago is a large city that tries to accommodate about 5 million people. Santiago has much European influence. The melting pot of Santiago has contributions from a wide variety of people who, besides the Chilean natives, came from Spain, England, Germany, France, Italy, and other nations. This composition varies along the country (is a long country). The first time a visitor lands in Santiago, she or he is amazed by the size and majesty of the mountains, always with snow. Some of the tallest mountains in the world are right there in the Santiago area.

Oscar Franzese works in the Center for Transportation Analysis, Energy Division, as a member of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Research Program conducting research and development in traffic simulation, emergency evacuations, highway safety, and other transportation-related areas.

Oscar was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and lived there until he graduated from the University of Buenos Aires as a civil engineer. After that he moved to Europe and lived in Italy and Spain. He worked in Madrid and Barcelona in a Spanish construction firm for one year before coming to the United States. In the meantime he married Maria Cecilia, whom he met in Buenos Aires while they were graduate students (she graduated as an architect also from the University of Buenos Aires). In the United States, they both went to the Ohio State University to study urban planning. Oscar received a dual master in urban planning and civil engineering in September 1988 and a Ph.D. in civil engineering in January 1993 from that institution. One month after graduating he came to ORNL. His wife also received a Ph.D. in 1993 from Ohio State University in the area of urban planning. She is currently teaching at the University of Tennessee and working as a consultant for the World Bank in Latin America.

Oscar and Maria have two daughters, Lucia and Veronica, who were born in Columbus, Ohio. They have made (with the parents and alone) many trips to Argentina to visit grandparents and cousins, and, because of that, they speak perfect Spanish. They are very good students and also very good soccer players. Although Oscar has not had many cultural clashes in the United States, there has been one. Soccer in Argentina, and most other countries, is a male sport (like football in the United States). So it never crossed his mind when he was growing up that his daughters would play soccer. Oscar admits that that was a very chauvinistic view: "skills and intelligence are all that counts."

"My family and I love the United States. It has given us opportunities that we did not even dream about. But what I most admire about this country is its vitality and the sense that nothing is impossible."

Nidia C. Gallego is a member of Research & Development Staff of the Metals and Ceramics Division, Carbon and Insulation Materials Technology Group. She studies the physical and transport properties of high-thermal-conductivity graphite foams developed at ORNL for applications such as heat exchangers and heat sinks for power electronics and other electronic applications. She evaluates extrusion techniques that will allow the production of a low-cost high-thermal-conductivity graphite foam.

Dr. Gallego has a Ph.D. and a M.Sc. in Materials Science and Engineering from Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.

She was born in Neiva, Colombia, but grew up in Cali, Colombia. She came to the United States in 1995 for graduate studies. The fourth out of six children, Dr. Gallega has two brothers, and three sisters. All her family is in Cali, Colombia. She has been married for 2 1/2 years to John L. Keith (from Ohio), whom she met at Clemson University at the martial arts club. Don't have children (yet!). Dr. Gallega and her husband enjoy dancing, hiking, and traveling. They attend St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oak Ridge.

Pedro Gonzalez, Physics Division -- I work for the Radiological Support Section as a Complex Leader. My function is to direct the work of Radiological Control Technicians assigned to the Physics Division in the 6000 area (accelerators) and the Facilities and Operations Directorate facilities in the 7000 area.

I was born in Ponce (second largest city), Puerto Rico. I have a BS in General Science, Radiation Protection, and Nuclear Technology and a graduate certificate in Health Physics. I am married to Terry Gonzalez from Corpus Christi, Texas. We have two children, both born in Oak Ridge. My daughter, Mariza, is 17 years old and a senior at Oak Ridge High School; my son, Roberto, is 14 years old and a freshman at Oak Ridge High School. Our family has lived in Oak Ridge for 17 years. We love this area, and the people here have been very nice to us.

Jose Luis Hernadez, Computer Sciences and Mathematics -- Since January 2001, I have been working in the Climate Dynamics Group at Computer Sciences and Mathematics. My work involves modeling and visualization in geophysical research focused in global warming and green house gases. I work with Dr. David Erickson and Dr. John Drake; we use climate parameters from models and observations to understand biogeochemical cycles and feedback between marine, atmospheric, and land environments. A description of my current research and interests is available at my home page (http://www.csm.ornl.gov/~fj7/).

Before coming to ORNL, I worked during the year 2000 at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as a Postdoctoral Fellow. That was a great experience in my career where I learned some of the techniques that we apply and improve in the ORNL-CSM Climate group. My bachelor's degree is in physics from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia at Bogota (December 1986). After my undergraduate studies, I worked as a lecturer and became a part of Marine Research Institute of Punta Betin, where I became interested in the field of Physical Oceanography. This interest encouraged me to start doctoral studies in marine science, which I carried out in the University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus. In November 1999, after my Ph.D. dissertation, I started to work for NASA.

I was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, a city on the Atlantic Ocean coast. Recreational activities include soccer, fishing, hiking, and outdoor sports.

Edgar Lara-Curzio -- Metals & Ceramics Division am a Materials Scientist and my work is dedicated to understanding why materials fail; establishing the relationships between the microstructure and mesostructure of materials and components and their physical and mechanical behavior; developing models to predict the service life of materials and components; and understanding the roles of stress, temperature, and service environment on the durability and reliability of materials and structures. I also work on finding any possible ways and means to break materials. I am currently serving as leader of the "Mechanical Characterization and Analysis Group" and of the "Mechanical Characterization and Analysis User Center." The latter is part of the High Temperature Materials Laboratory User Program, allows us to collaborate with members of industry and academia who seek expertise and technical assistance for the solution of their materials-related problems.

I received an B. Sc. in engineering physics from the Autonomous Metropolitan University in Mexico City, Mexico (1986) Ph.D. in materials engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY (1992)

I grew up in the suburbs of Mexico City and witnessed its growth to become the largest city in the world. Although its unplanned and uncontrolled growth during the last 30 years has nearly resulted in an ecological disaster, Mexico City remains one of the most beautiful and culture-rich metropolises in the world. Mexico City was established by nomadic tribes more than 7 centuries ago and it is full of sites and buildings that span three cultures: pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern. Mexico City is situated in a large valley located 2200 meters above sea level and is surrounded by two ranges of mountains.

Married to Ivonne P. Lara-Curzio. We don't have children but we have one Scottish Terrier dog named Fermi. My hobbies consist of tennis and chess.

Luiz Lea -- l was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazil is a Portuguese-speaking nation because it was settled by Portugal rather than Spain. Portuguese and Spanish have many similarities, and Luiz is also fluent in Spanish.

Soccer is a national pastime in Brazil, and Luiz loves to both play and coach soccer. A man of many talents, Luis also enjoys playing acoustic guitar. When he was a student he used to play in a jazz band.

After graduating with a degree in physics in Rio de Janeiro, Luiz completed Ph.D. studies in the United States. He initially came to the United States in August 1985 for a six-month job-training venture. However, once he "tasted the water" in the United States, he never returned to Brazil! Luiz is a Research Staff member at the Computational Physics and Engineering Division.

Rene Lopez Noriega, Solid State Division -- I was born in Mexico City in 1974, but I spent most of my childhood in Chiapas, the most southern state of Mexico, just on the border with Guatemala. I finished college as an industrial physics engineer in December 1996 and then I decided to apply to graduate school here in the United States.

I am right now a graduate student at Vanderbilt University. However, since last year, I have been spending most of my time here at ORNL in a joint project between the Physics Department at Vanderbilt and the Solid State Division at ORNL. I have found the opportunity to do my Ph.D. thesis in the study of phase transitions in the nanoscale regime. I think to work here at ORNL has been a great opportunity for me because I have been able to experience the scientific work in ways quite different to those of the university or my home country.

The first thing that I found surprising in America was its diversity of people. Somewhere I have read that America is the global melting pot. I would say it is more like a salad, since you can still distinguish the ingredients but its richness is in the mixture of the parts. Although I have seen that the relationship between the different peoples isn't perfect and there is a lot of room to improvement, I think America has chosen a path that is bringing a level of understanding and tolerance, well beyond any other attempt in human history. To me, the ORNL celebration of Hispanic heritage is a way to emphasize and maintain this diversity and the need for continuous understanding.

Miguel Rodriguez, Jr. works in the Biochemical Engineering Research Group, Chemical Technology Division, as a Biotechnologist conducting research and development in many different bioprocessing projects. He currently works with Drs. Abhijeet P. Borole, Brian H. Davison, and Tanya Kuritz in the Enzymatic Upgrading of Heavy Crudes via Partial Oxidation or Conversion of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons. This project includes the cloning and expression of the enzyme lignin peroxidase in the yeast Pichia pastoris by directed evolution. Miguel also works with Dr. Eli Greenbaum in the Biotechnology Research Group, Chemical Technology Division, conducting research and development of stand-off tissue-based biosensors for the detection of chemical warfare agents and simulants. He is currently involved in the development of these biosensors for rapid monitoring of primary-source drinking water using naturally occurring photosynthesis.

Miguel was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico. He received his undergraduate degree in Industrial Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez. In 1989, he participated in an internship program in ORNL's Environmental Sciences Division, performing studies in microbial ecology in artificial streams under the supervision of Dr. Anthony V. Palumbo. From 1990 to 1994, he worked in the Fermentation/Microbiology Group of Ricerca, L.L.C., a contract research and development company located east of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1994, Miguel joined the staff of the Bioprocessing R&D Center under the supervision of Dr. Brian H. Davison. Miguel is currently pursuing graduate studies in Life Sciences in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Utuado is a beautiful town which lies among the deep green mountains of Puerto Rico. Utuado derives its name from a local Taino Indian Chief "Otoao," which means "land between mountains." The founding fathers later named it "Utuado." Caguana Indian Ceremonial Park, the most important archaeological deposit in the West Antilles, is located in this town near the Tanama River. It was built by the Taino Indians around A.D. 1100 and is believed to be a site of some religious significance. Originally excavated by the famous archaeologist J. A. Mason in 1915, the park has been restored and established under the auspices of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. The park has a large main court, a circular court, and ten smaller rectangular courts ("bateyes", where the Taínos used to play a soccer-like game. Many of the bateyes are lined with stone monoliths permanently inscribed with symbols (petroglyphs) drawn by the Taínos. Taíno culture was the most highly developed in the Caribbean when Columbus reached Hispaniola in 1492.

Islands throughout the Greater Antilles were dotted with Taíno communities nestled in valleys and along the rivers and coastlines, some of which were inhabited by thousands of people. The first New World society that Columbus encountered was one of tremendous creativity and energy. The Taíno had an extraordinary repertoire of expressive forms in sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, weaving, dance, music, and poetry. Their inventiveness and dynamism were also reflected in their social hierarchies and political organization.

Roxanne Annette Raschke -- I have worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory since 1989. I currently work in the Metals and Ceramics Division for Ted Besmann, Head of the Materials Processing Science and Technology Section, and Leader of the Surface Processing and Mechanics Group.

I had a very diverse childhood while growing up in Nebraska. My mother was born in Nebraska and is part Spanish and Aztec Indian; my father was born in Boston and is Italian. My parents primarily spoke English except on occasion when they were on the telephone talking to relatives or around Christmas time when they didn't want us to understand what they were talking about! My mother spoke Spanish and my Father spoke a little Italian. Coming from a large family of 3 sisters and 2 brothers, we all spoke English and would get excited when we would learn a new word in Spanish.

I lived in Nebraska until my junior year in high school, when we moved to Cherokee, North Carolina, and lived on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. It was wonderful to meet children who were part Aztec Indian as well. The culture is very different but at the same time very interesting and exciting.

Immediately following my junior year in high school, my grandmother became very ill and we moved back to Nebraska. Shortly thereafter, my grandmother passed away and I moved in with my grandfather. I attended a bilingual church with him and learned to sing and speak in Spanish although my vocabulary was very limited. The songbook and Bible we used were in Spanish. I was asked to sing and read a few times in church and I remember how sweet everyone was just sitting there with smiles on their faces. This really made me feel so good because I knew I was totally messing up. I attended Kearney State College where I majored in business, with a minor in Spanish. I still remember how my grandfather would get upset with me because of the way I spoke Spanish. It was his way or no way! I would purposely mispronounce a word or combine words together that did not make sense just to make him laugh. His friends were so much older than I was but I loved to sit around and listen to them speak really fast in Spanish, although I didn't have a clue what they were saying. They would smile at me and I was just happy to be there. Living with my grandfather was like living in another culture. Even the types of food that I ate were different. I grew up eating tortillas, tacos, enchiladas, spaghetti, etc., but his friends made things I couldn't pronounce. My grandfather often took me on trips to visit my aunt who owned a Spanish restaurant. I tasted so many wonderful dishes. Looking back, I can honestly say my grandfather's friends have made some of the most delicious dishes I have ever tasted in my life. Even though my grandfather has passed away, I will forever be thankful for the many things about the Hispanic heritage that he taught me!

My family and I moved to Knoxville in 1985 and in 1987 I married my wonderful husband. Currently, I live in Farragut with my husband, David, and three children, Solomon, Gabriella, and Samuel, and one puppy named Bailey who is very spoiled. My husband is an avid fisherman and loves to participate in every bass tournament around. My boys enjoy fishing, basketball, baseball, football, and reading. Gabriella enjoys softball, cheerleading, shopping, and talking on the phone. I, on the other hand, enjoy coaching a cheerleading team and being involved in numerous church activities.

I think it is wonderful to highlight our Hispanic heritage at ORNL and I am happy to be a part of that.

Rocio M. Salinas, Operational Safety Services Division -- I was born in Guadalajara and raised in Mexico City. I met my husband in Houston in one of my visits to my American family (exchange student program). The rest is history. I have a daughter 27 years old and a son 25 years old. I graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico as clinical analyst. From the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, I obtained a B.A., with a major in Medical Technologies and a minor in Chemistry, as well as a master's degree in public health with a degree in industrial hygiene. I started at K-25 in the analytical lab 12 years ago. I moved to ORNL in 1995, when I took over the MSDS Office. We currently serve K-25, ORNL, and Paducah.

Manuel Santana joined the Accelerator Systems Division of the Spallation Neutron Source Project in February 2001 working as a technician. Manuel was born in Mexico City, Mexico. Manuel is married to Gema who is from the town of El Grullo, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. They have five children: Jaime, Gema, Teresa, Crystal, and Manuel. As you may have noticed, it is very traditional in the Mexican culture to name children after their parents.

One of the holidays celebrated by the Santana family in their culture is Christmas. Usually the Santanas try to go to Mexico in December to visit their family. One food that is very popular during this holiday is tamales. They also eat bunuelos, which is similar to a funnel cake but very crispy and covered with sugar and cinnamon. There is also a hot, thick drink they make during this season called atole. Atole is made with corn starch and served as a beverage when eating the tamales.

One very easy way Manuel distinguishes the Mexican culture is in terms of thinking of the three f's (Fe, familia, and fiesta), which translate to Faith, Family, and Parties. Most Mexicans are Catholic and very devoted to the church and the Virgin of Guadalupe. Family is very important in their culture. Families tend to be very united, and of course Mexicans love to party. One very important part of their fiestas is their music. Mariachis for example come from the Mexican culture.