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| Dr. Cesar Cantu |
“They told us that SHSU is one of the top schools for
Criminal Justice and Forensics,” Cantu said. “I became involved in research as
an undergraduate which helped me decide that I wanted to earn my master's in
forensic science. During my second year, I was able to perform my own research
and do an internship.”
Cantu cites those experiences as inspiration to continue his
journey to pursue a doctoral degree in forensic science at SHSU.
While flourishing in his work at SHSU, Cantu said being away
from his hometown of Brownsville, TX was challenging. However, his strong
support system at home combined with his new Bearkat family motivated him to
keep marching on.
“What began as a daunting journey soon became larger yet
achievable with all the support I received,” Cantu said. “As an undergrad, I
was able to meet faculty members that became mentors and offered many
opportunities that helped me grow as an individual and leader. As a doctoral
student, I continued to build on my support network with friends who started
the program at the same time as I did and understood the challenges that arose
with courses or research.”
Rachel Houston, an associate professor in the Department of
Forensic Science, says Cantu’s leadership skills and dedication to his work helped
him to forge remarkable partnerships.
“As a doctoral student, Cesar’s research expanded through a
unique collaboration between SHSU’s Forensic Science and Biological Sciences
Departments,” Houston said. “His work bridged both fields, leveraging genetic
insights to enhance forensic entomology applications and drew on expertise
across disciplines to make a meaningful impact in both forensic and biological
sciences.”
The collaboration has led to the beginning of Cantu’s post-doctoral
career as a member of the SHSU faculty. While Cantu’s post-doctoral chapter
will see him staying at SHSU for a bit, he is excited for the opportunities
that will open up to him in the future.
Cantu says he’s excited to see what the future has in store.
“I am currently working as a visiting assistant professor in
the Department of Biological Sciences but am looking forward to building a
career closer to home,” Cantu said. “Whether it be as a professor or as a
forensic scientist in a crime laboratory, my time at Sam Houston has prepared
me for whichever path I choose to follow.”
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This article was originally published by Today@Sam on Sam Houston State University's website.
To view the original article post, click here.
