Remembering Sandra Whaley Bishnoi, 1973-2018
Founding Director, SER Scholars Program
“Her dedication, courage, and passion will always be remembered. Dr. Bishnoi was my and many others’ biggest champion. Rice will not be the same without her. I hope to one day be as strong, intelligent, and kind as she was.”
-Karen Vasquez ‘19
“I would not have believed in myself nearly as much in biosciences research as I do today if it weren’t for her passion and dedication to student growth and learning.”
-Tanner Reese ‘20
“She had an incredible impact on me as a student and that I believe she embodied everything that a professor should be.”
-Hector Picon ‘18
For Sandra, the mission of the SER Scholars Program was personal. Sandra was the first in her family to go to a conventional four year college and, like many first-generation college students, her first years were difficult as she struggled to navigate college expectations and resources. Fortunately, Sandra was able to join Dr. Mike White’s lab at UT Austin, which led to multiple peer-reviewed publications as an undergraduate. Dr. White was the Robert A. Welch Chair in Materials Chemistry and started mentoring Sandra as a 2nd year undergraduate student. Their relationship continued through Sandra’s PhD and professional career, even though she did not work in Dr. White’s lab after her undergraduate studies. Sandra completed her PhD from UT Austin titled “Selection of Peptides for Binding Semiconductor and Magnetic Materials for the Purpose of Organizing Nanoscaled Materials,” working with Dr. Angela Belcher. After graduation, she worked for IBM for 2 years before returning to academia to pursue her Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Rice University, working with Dr. Naomi Halas. Upon completion of her Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Sandra joined the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago Illinois as an Assistant Professor. Sandra moved back to Houston after being diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer. Her treatment at M.D. Anderson kept her in remission allowing her to start a new career as a lecturer and advisor in a new Howard Hughes Medical Institute-funded STEM retention program that supported the development of project-based laboratory courses and the Sustaining Excellence in Research (SER) Scholars program.
Sandra led the SER Scholars program from 2014-2018. During this time, she inspired countless freshmen and sophomores who were most at risk of leaving STEM and provided them tutoring, mentorship and research opportunities to improve their self-confidence and self-identity in STEM. Many of the undergraduates with whom she worked were first-generation college students, just like her. As Sandra said, “When I look at these students I see myself. I was that student.”
She explained, “If you are first generation or low income every time you meet a barrier it feels like a locked door. That same passage exists for everyone but for many it is an archway that has been pruned for them by their parents, coaches, etc. Our job is to mentor students through the door and their job is to hold the door open for the next person coming through. Take the experience that you have and try to do it for others.”
Sandra described the SER students as “amazing.” Sandra went on to say that, “I don’t do anything for them except to allow them to have confidence in their own abilities.” But if you ask any former SER scholar they will say that Sandra’s dedication to them and the program was a big part of their success. Sandra and the SER Scholars Program ensured that every scholar found their way to that open door.
“What we offer [SER students] is what I wish someone had done for me. I eventually had that experience. My undergraduate research advisor was awesome and he is the reason I am a scientist. He saw something in me and allowed me to do research in his lab…for pay. He paid me—that was important—otherwise I was going to be working at The GAP,” Sandra explained. This early research experience inspired both Sandra’s career and that of the students she would later come to mentor through SER.
Sandra Whaley Bishnoi Fund for SER Scholars
The Sandra Whaley Bishnoi Fund for SER Scholars was endowed with generous support from Sandra’s husband, Sanjay, and friends and colleagues to support the program in perpetuity. To contribute to the fund, please visit https://riceconnect.rice.edu/donation/support-ser-scholars. Sandra’s legacy will be forever remembered also in the Sandra Whaley Bishnoi Courtyard by MD Anderson Biological Laboratories (expected spring/summer 2020).