The Interdisciplinary Center of Seaside Studies (CIEL by its Spanish acronym), affiliate of the Department of Social Sciences of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) will be the center of investigation, training and education in the human dimension of marine and coastal ecosystems. That is how doctor Manuel Valdés Pizzini described the memorandum of agreement between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States and UPRM.

“The human dimension is one of the areas of the frontier in which NOAA is making the pathway and integrating in its vision of ecosystem management,” said Valdés Pizzini, director of CIEL.

One of the objectives of this initiative is to improve the management of scientific information necessary to maintain a balance between environmental, social and economic goals of society, while at the same time working with factors such as changes in climate, contamination and uses of resources, among others.

According to the professor, this initiative sums up the interdisciplinary focus of CIEL, since it is formed by undergraduate and graduate researchers from different fields including Oceanography, Biology, Engineering, Business Administration and Social Sciences. Students have the opportunity to do research on the conservation of coastal and marine resources. Also, participants have worked on the conservation of forests.

At its beginnings, the Interdisciplinary Center of Seaside Studies was known as the Coastal Program. This program offered advice to students interested in continuing studies in careers related to the conservation of marine life and resources.

“In fact, as a result of the work completed, the participants have continued on to graduate studies including the associate director of CIEL, Carlos J. Carrero, a graduate of the program,” noted Valdés Pizzini.

History Volunteer Program

On a different note, Valdés Pizzini also reported that they work with a volunteer program in the area of History, directed towards first year students in the Department of Social Sciences. Sylvia Ruiz and Clarisabeth López are participants in this program. David Rodríguez Sanfiorenzo also works in the program as an intern, fulfilling the requirements for his doctoral studies in History and Education. Rodríguez is a student at the Río Piedras Campus of the University of Puerto Rico and collaborates as a mentor for the students along with doctor Valdés Pizzini.

According to Rodríguez, the desire to impact the western area of Puerto Rico was what made him get involved in the voluntary program. “Working with a historical theme is always fascinating,” said the doctoral student.

Alongside the students, they have investigated the Historical Archives of Mayagüez, part of the municipality, to develop a historiography. They also work with nanohistory and its societal repercussions.

Sylvia as well as Clarisabeth became interested in the Program after participating in a conference that was offered during orientation week, as incoming new students of the Department of Social Sciences. More than obtaining research experience, the students indicated that they have had the opportunity to learn more about their areas of interest from their first year of studies.

“One of the advantages of working as a mentor is creating a basis for which the students are able to successfully pass their courses. Both have demonstrated intelligence and mastery of the subject,” reported Rodríguez.

The students have worked on a blog that can be accessed at the following web address: http://driadas.wordpress.com, in which they share their experiences as researchers in History. CIEL initiatives also include the publication of a magazine entitled Fuete y verguilla, directed towards the fishing sector of the West.

Doctor Manuel Valdés Pizzini and David Rodríguez Sanfiorenzo are mentors of the History Volunteers Program.

Photo by Carlos Díaz / UPRM Press

Students Sylvia Ruiz and Clarisabeth López are participants in the History Volunteer Program.

Courtesy photo.