San Antonio (April 13, 2004) – John F. Alderete, Ph.D., professor in the department of microbiology, has received the William A. Hinton Research Training Award from the American Society of Microbiology (ASM).
Dr. Alderete was presented this award in recognition of his commitment to helping minority students and professionals achieve their goals. He has mentored many graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and undergraduates. In addition to mentoring many pre-college students, he has also encouraged many middle and high school students to pursue a career in science through weekend science laboratory tours, career days and summer institutes.
The award is given in memory of William A. Hinton, who was a physician-research scientist and one of the first blacks to join the society.
Dr. Alderete earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and biology from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology at Socorro, and a doctorate in microbiology from The University of Kansas at Lawrence. He is a Life Member and former president of the Society for the Advancement of Chicano and Native American Scientists (SACNAS) and a member of many other professional scientific societies. Dr. Alderete is the recipient of the 2003 Distinguished Scientist from the SACNAS, was honored as a Distinguished Nominee for the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Science in 2000 and was honored by being included as one of the best and brightest Hispanic scientists in the nation at the National Atomic Museum in Albuquerque, N.M. in 2001. He is recipient of the 1992 Premio Encuentro Award in Science and Technology, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the Hispanic community in America.