First Ever Biology Honor Society at Vanguard University

This semester, for the first time ever, the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanguard University is starting a chapter of TriBeta, the National Biological Honor Society. This will be the first time that biology students at Vanguard will have the opportunity to participate in an honor society for their major.

Dr. Itzel Calleja-Macias first began Vanguard’s TriBeta chapter, and now professors Dr. SiauMin Fung, Dr. Michael Hanna, and Dr. Roxanna Ochoa Hernandez are also involved in the creation of this new chapter. Dr. Calleja-Macias began the new chapter’s creation and ran the student selection process; however, TriBeta now rests mostly in Dr. Hanna’s hands.

Dr. Calleja-Macias has already selected several diligent biology students as TriBeta officers.

Karla Velez, junior biomedical student and Vice President of Vanguard’s TriBeta chapter, said “I feel honored because it’s the very first in the history of Vanguard, and I think it’s important to expand the knowledge of science among the campus since it’s such a small campus. I think it should be looked into more…it’s the foundation of life, you know?”

When asked how she thinks TriBeta will impact her future, she replied, “Well, definitely it’ll look really good on my CV and resume. And I think it’ll help me expand my leadership skills because I think I need more experience in it, especially in the biology realm.”

According to their official website at tribeta.org, TriBeta is committed to “extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research” and “improving the understanding and appreciation of scientific study.” While furthering scientific research and study is a wonderful goal, the biology students and faculty here at Vanguard do not just study science as a means unto itself; instead, their scientific research is a way of glorifying and understanding God.

The purpose of the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanguard University is to explore the wonder that is God’s creation and share their knowledge of it; the beginning of this chapter is yet another step they are taking to do so.