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Grantsmanship, Professional & Leadership Development and
DEI Training
Specialized
Higher Equity, LLC
Vision & Mission
Vision: SHE will lead the Island of PR into reforming education to accelerate grantsmanship, professional & leadership development and DEI initiatives.
Mission: SHE has the mission to empower Puerto Ricans to form a community of practice to reform education and competitively apply for local and external funds.
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Welcome to our platform dedicated to fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Our goal is to inspire positive change and cultivate an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. Here, we celebrate the richness of human differences and recognize the strength that diversity brings to our communities.
We provide services on inclusive practices in the workplace, training about effective DEI strategies and help bussiness develop DEI protocols. Whether you're a academic leader, HR professional, or an individual passionate about fostering an inclusive society, our company provides valuable insights and tools to promote equity and create a more inclusive world. Join Us.
Creating a JEDI Community in your workplace Workshop #1
Description: Discussion of concepts of Diversity, Equity and inclusion in the
DEI Understanding Bias Workshop #2
Understanding Bias Workshop. Description: Although everyone has implicit and explicit biases, research shows that implicit biases can be reduced through discussing them and recognizing them. Once recognized, implicit biases can be reduced and individuals can control the likelihood that these biases will affect their behavior. Therefore, a powerful tool to recognize biases within ourselves is self-awareness.
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Transforming Education and Professional Development
At Specialized Higher Equity (SHE), we are committed to driving learning and innovation through workshops and certifications designed for educators and professionals across various fields. Our expertise and dedication have been recognized by major organizations, enabling us to offer unique programs that make a difference.
Why Choose Us?
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Our team has led National Science Foundation-funded conferences: We developed and organized the HEARTS Conference (Puerto Rican Higher Education Assembly of Researchers, Thriving not Just Surviving), specifically designed for faculty members aiming to strengthen their grant-writing skills and enhance their ability to secure research funding.
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Our team has developed a Certification in Industrial Biotechnology: Funded by the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce, we created the “Going Up and Down in Bioprocessing” certification. This stackable certification focuses on Industrial Biotechnology with an emphasis on Pharmacology and Therapeutics, preparing participants with practical and advanced skills for the growing biotechnology sector.
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Innovative workshops on Artificial Intelligence for educators: We offer the workshop “Artificial Intelligence for Educators: Designing Effective Prompts,” a hands-on and dynamic experience that equips teachers with the tools to leverage AI technologies like ChatGPT, optimizing their interactions and enriching the teaching-learning process.
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Biotechnology and bioprocess workshops for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries: We design specialized training programs for industry personnel, focusing on bioprocesses, regulations, pharmacology, and therapeutic agents. These workshops are tailored to enhance staff knowledge, optimize productivity, and ensure compliance in highly regulated environments.
At SHE, we are dedicated to fostering academic, professional, and technological excellence. With the support of renowned institutions, we provide updated, relevant, and transformative content to help you reach the next level in your career.
Ready to Transform Your Future?
Contact us today to learn how our programs can help you achieve your goals.
© 2024 by La Pauta Media Group to SHE
Dr. Lilliam Casillas Martínez has been a professor in the Biology Department over the last 26 years at University of Puerto Rico-Humacao. She has received more than 6 million dollars in federal funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes (HHMI), National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Education, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Department of Agriculture among others. Doctor Casillas is an influential scholar and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM education, particularly through an anti-racist lens that addresses colorism, colonialism, and the Latinx experience. She is committed to decolonizing STEM by celebrating Latinx heritage and fostering a critical examination of diversity initiatives within academic institutions. Dr. Casillas Martínez’s work emphasizes the power of collaborative solutions and incorporates strategic marketing techniques for educational programs. She has also been trained in program evaluation aiming to enhance student transitions in STEM pathways and such experience has allowed her to become a member of several national boards like the one of the Biointeractive Program in HHMI and the Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) STEM National Reform. She is also a Partnership for Undergraduate Life Sciences Education (PULSE) fellow, where she actively works to catalyze change at the departmental level by aligning faculty work with goals for systemic transformation. Her initiatives reflect a commitment to sustainable change, which she approaches through interdisciplinary partnerships and a dedication to broadening participation in STEM, creating more inclusive environments for underrepresented communities.
Critical Examination of broadening participation within a particular institution:The Power of collaborative solutions- Tom Wolff, Community Partners.
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How to market your educational product, - Joy Lindsey, Marketing Consultant
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Equal Measure: Program evaluations to improve students transitions - Raymond Mc Ghee and Bilal Taylor.
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Acheiving the dream with a focus on systemic change- Ryan Kelsey, Acheiving the Dream
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PULSE: Catalyzing change at the departmental level.
1. Zemaitis J, G. Arias, A. Boyce, G. Garcia, K. Alicea, J. Vedrine and L. Casillas-Martinez. Development and validation of a climate survey for a Hispanic-Serving Institution. In Press. J. of Latinos and Education.
2. Casillas-Martínez, L, M. Franco, R. Carrasquillo and W. González-Espada. 2023. UnpackingRacism Among Puerto Rican Scientists: Intersectionality of Colorism, Colonialism, and the Intersectionality of Colorism, Culture of Science Colonialism, and the J. of Latinos and Education, 22 (2): 10.1080/15348431.2023.2184370
3. Marvasi, M., L. Casillas, A. Vassallo, D. Purchase. 2021. Educational Activities for Students and Citizens Supporting the One-Health Approach on Antimicrobial Resistance. Antibiotics. 10, 1519: https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10121519
4.Casillas-Martinez, L. 2020. Strategies to Foster Latinx Inclusion in Microbiology Programs. J. Microbiol. Biol. Edu. 21(1): https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.v21i1.2077
5.Casillas-Martinez, L. and W. Gonzalez–Espada. 2019. Cybernetic Girls can be Pinky: Strategies to recruit and retain Latinas into STEM in the context of Faculty-to-Student Empowerment. In Culturally Responsive Strategies for Reforming STEM higher Education: Turing the TIDES on Inequity, p. 33-51. Emerald Publishing Limited. (Mack K, K. Winter and M. Soto, Eds). DOI:10.1108/978-1-78743-405-920191003.
6. Perito B., L. Casillas and M. Marvasi. 2018. Factors Affecting Formation of Large Calcite Crystals (≥1 mm) in Bacillus subtilis 168 Biofilm, Geomicrobiology Journal, 35:5, 385-391, DOI: 10.1080/01490451.2017.1377788 7. Sills, J. et.al. 2017. E-letter. Prejudgment Call. Science. Vol. 355, Issue 6320, pp. 22-23, DOI: 10.1126/science.355.6320.22
8. Marvasi, M., Casillas-Santiago L. and L. Casillas-Martinez. 2016. Involvement of etfA gene during CaCO3 precipitation in Bacillus subtilis biofilm. Geomicrobiol. J. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01490451.2016.1248254
9. Mack, K, Soto. M., L. Casillas-Martinez and Mac Cormark E. F. 2015.Toward Achieving Equity for Woman in Computing: The imperative of Critical Pedagogical Reform. Gender Equity in Education. Association of American Colleges and Universities. 18:8-10. https://www.aacu.org/diversitydemocracy/2015/spring/mack
10. Marvasi M., Y. Davila and L. Casillas-Martinez. 2013. Laboratory activity to effectively teach Introductory Geomicrobiology concepts to Non-Geology majors. J. of Microbiol. and Biol. Education. 14: 206-212. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3867758/
11. Marvasi M, K.L., Gallagher, L. Casillas-Martinez and P.T. Visscher. 2012. Importance of B4 medium in determining organomineralization potential of bacterial environmental isolates. Geomicrobiol. J.29:916–924. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01490451.2011.636145#.VV4WCblFC70
12. Marvasi M, P.T., Visscher and L. Casillas-Martinez. 2010. Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) from Bacillus subtilis: polysaccharides polypeptides, and genes coding for their synthesis. FEMS Microbiology Letter, 313:1-9.
13. Marvasi M., P.T. Visscher, B. Perito, and L. Casillas-Martinez. 2010. Physiological requirements for carbonate precipitation during biofilm development of B. subtilis etfA mutant. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 71:341-350. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20059546
14. Visscher P.T., C. Dupraz, O. Braissant, K.L. Gallagher, C. Glunk, L. Casillas and R.E.S. Reed. 2010. Microbial Mats: Modern and Ancient Microorganisms in Stratified Systems, In: Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology. J. Skeckbach and Oren A. (Eds). 14:443-468.
15. Hernandez B. and L. Casillas-Martinez. 2009. Design and Assessment of an Introductory Geomicrobiology Course for non-Geology students. J. of Geoscience Education. Vol. 57, No.1. http://dx.doi.org/10.5408/1.3544225
16. Rios-Velazquez C., L. Casillas-Martínez and P.T. Visscher. 2007. Learning Geomicrobiology as a team using microbial mats; a multidisciplinary approach. J. of Microbiol. and Biol. Education. 1:28-35. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3577146/
17. Cantrell, S., M. Molina and L. Casillas-Martinez. 2006. Halophilic fungi from the Cabo Rojo Salterns. Mycological Research. 110: 962-970. doi:10.1016/j.mycres.2006.06.005
18. Casillas-Martinez, L., et al. 2005. Interrelations among communities, physiological structure and resulting mineralogy in the hypersaline mats of the Cabo Rojo salterns. Geomicrobiol. J. 22: 269-81.2. DOI:10.1080/01490450500182672.
19. Casillas-Martinez L., A. Driks, B. Setlow and P. Setlow. 2000. Lack of a significant role for the PerR regulator in Bacillus subtilis spore resistance, FEMS Microbiology Letters, 188: 203– 208. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6968.2000.tb09194.x
20. Basat N. A. Herbig, L. Casillas-Martinez and J. Helmann. 1998. Bacillus subtilis contains multiple Fur homologues: Identification of the iron uptake (Fur) and peroxide regulon (PerR) repressors. Molecular Microbiol. 29(1):189-98. DOI10.1046/j.1365-2958.1998.00921.x
21. Casillas-Martinez, L., and P. Setlow. 1997. Alkyl hydroperoxide reductase, catalase, MrgA, and superoxide dismutase are not involved in resistance of Bacillus subtilis spores to heat and oxidizing agents. J. Bacteriol. 179:7420-7425.
Lilliam Casillas Martínez, Ph.D.
Dr. Millie L. González Laboy is an associate professor in the Biology and Microbiology programs, and also teaches courses in the master's program in Biology with a specialty in Molecular Biotechnology. She has a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology and has a doctoral degree in Biomedical Sciences with a specialty in Pharmacology, from the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus.
With more than 20 years of research experience in Microbiology, Nanomedicine and anti-cancer agents, Dr. González currently leads innovative projects in nanotechnology with biomedical applications. As a mentor, she has guided numerous students in their roles as research assistants and on their paths toward careers in Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, and graduate studies in Biomedical Sciences.
Her commitment to education and professional development extends through offering workshops and conferences on topics such as Nanotechnology, antimicrobial agents and cancer therapies. She has been a featured speaker at the Annual Convention of the College of Chemists of Puerto Rico since 2013, and has participated in various scientific conferences.
Additionally, Dr. González has offered workshops at the university level on active learning and has collaborated by offering workshops to elementary and middle school teachers on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) topics. She holds certification from the Summer Institute on Undergraduate Education from the National Academies and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, focused on active learning, mentoring, diversity, and science education.
Additional Certifications and Recent Achievements:
University of California, Irvine: Certification in Fundamentals of Management, 2019.
Fielding Graduate University: Leadership Continuing Education Certification, 2023.
3Q Institute, London, England: 3Q (Coefficients) Essentials in Spiritual Intelligence Certification, June 2024.
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Certifications:
Initial Biosafety Training
Biosafety/Biosecurity
Conflicts of Interest
Biomedical Science
Research Study Design (RSD)
Inter American University - Fajardo: Integration of Technology in Active Learning Activities, February 9, 2024.
Inter American University - Fajardo: Microsoft Teams in Anthology Blackboard, February 9, 2024.
Moodle Academy: Introduction to Moodle for Educators Webinar, February 15, 2024.
Partnership for Undergraduate Life Sciences Education (PULSE) Ambassador Training Program: Puerto Rico Science Technology and Research Trust, July 8-11, 2024.
Additionally, Dr. González developed the “Inter Med Shadowing Program” at HIMA Fajardo Hospital, which allowed college students to participate in medical internships at a hospital, learning from different doctors during the summer, from 2015 to 2019, with more than 40 participating students.
Currently, Dr. González is part of the SHE company, where she is dedicated to offering workshops and conferences on scientific and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) topics, promoting an inclusive and equitable culture in scientific and academic fields.
Publications:
González, M. L., Visscher, P.T., Nieves-Mendez, D., Hernández, C., and Casillas-Martinez, L., (2002) Physicochemical Conditions and Microbial Abundance of Cabo Rojo Salterns. Proceedings of The National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) University of Wisconsin- Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin, April 25-27, 2002.
Casillas-Martinez, L., González, M. L., Fuentes-Figueroa, Z., Castro, C. M., Nieves-Mendez, D., Hernández, C., Ramirez, W., Sytsma, R. E., Perez-Jimenez, J., Visscher, P.T. (2005) Community structure, Geochemical Characteristics and Mineralogy of a Hypersaline Microbial Mat, Cabo Rojo, PR. Geomicrobiology Journal, 22(6), 269-281.
Díaz, A., David, A., Pérez, R., González, M. L., Báez, A., Wark, S., Zhang, P., Clearfield, A., Colón, J. L., (2010). Nanoencapsulation of Insulin into Zirconium Phosphate for Oral Delivery Applications. Journal of American Chemistry Society : Biomacromolecules, 11 (9), 2465-2470
Díaz, A., González, M. L., Pérez, R. J., David, A., Mukherjee, A., Báez, A., Clearfield, A., and Colón, J. L., (2013). Direct intercalation of cisplatin into zirconium phosphate nanoplatelets for potential cancer nanotherapy. Nanoscale, 5 (23), 11456 - 11463.
González, M. L., Zirconium phosphate nanoplatelets: Selective delivery system of anticancer agents to cancer cells. (2013). PhD dissertation, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR.
González, M. L., Ortíz, M., Hernández, C., Cabán, J., Rodríguez, A., Colón, J. L. and Báez, A. (2016). Zirconium Phosphate Nanoplatelet Potential for Anticancer Drug Delivery Applications. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 16 (1), 117-129.
González M. L. (January 2019). The impact of emigration of physicians on health in Puerto Rico. Magazine El Faro. Inter American University of Puerto Rico- Fajardo. Electronic publication.
González M. L. Sanabria D. and Colón J. (In process) Intercalation of Bioactive Polymixin B-FITC conjugate into Zirconium Phosphate Nanoplatelets for Potential Antibacterial applications.
Osorio, S., Lugo, M., Sepulveda, M., Lee, G. and Gonzalez, M. L. (submitted) Enhanced Antimicrobial Efficacy of Chitosan-Capped Silver Nanoparticles and Silver Nanoparticles.
Millie Lee González Laboy, Ph.D.
Our Team has 7 million in grants from the National Science Foundation, US Department of Agricultures, Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Education. With your ideas we will help you design the proposal of your dreams.
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