Short Takes

July 31, 2019 | Jim Townsend

UHCL institute to host second Low Carb Houston Conference

University of Houston-Clear Lake Associate Professor of Exercise and Health Sciences William Amonette and local interventionist cardiologist Dr. Nadir Ali are on a mission to introduce as many people as possible to the benefits of a low carbohydrate diet. Together, they are welcoming all to the second annual Low Carb Houston Conference, to be held Oct. 24-26 and hosted by the university’s Exercise and Nutritional Health Institute.

“Last year’s conference was very well-received,” said Amonette, who is also director of the institute. “We are building on the successes of last year to make this year’s event even more inspiring, informative, and practical.”

Attendees participate in lectures presented by expert physicians, scientists, engineers, and investigative journalists from around the world. They also have access to businesses that support the low-carb lifestyle. The conference will lay the groundwork for continued discussion, research and action related to diet and health.

“When people change to a low carb and high fat diet, they often lose significant weight in a healthy way and experience a sustained boost in their energy,” said Ali. “Everyone can benefit from this diet change, but especially those with heart disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes or those trying to prevent such diseases.”

Admission for the conference is $150 for the first 150 registrants, and $225 for regular admission. A student rate of $100 is also available. Learn more at www.uhcl.edu/low-carb-houston, or call the Exercise and Nutritional Health Institute at 281-283-3381.

UHCL foreign language courses start Aug. 26

Learn a new language and get personal attention from expert teachers in University of Houston-Clear Lake’s non-credit Foreign Language Program. Small classes and private tutoring are available for Spanish, Chinese, German, Japanese, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese and more.

Courses are also available for those seeking to improve their English conversational skills.

To learn more or to register, visit www.uhcl.edu/fl or call the Foreign Language and English Enhancement Program, 281-283-3033.

 UHCL’s women-only storytelling class to return in fall

UHCL’s women-only storytelling class to return in fall

If you missed the summer session of University of Houston-Clear Lake’s “Write on, Women!” storytelling class, the course will return in October, taught by author and playwright Deborah Nowinski, recipient of the Texas Office of the Governor’s Barbara Jordan Media Award for her book “Your Role in Inclusion Theater.”

Learn how to write your memoir or family history in this six-week, women-only class each Wednesday, beginning Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. – noon. The course fee is $156. Seating is limited. Registration and pre-payment is preferred.

For more information, contact Christine Paul at 281-283-3033 or paul@uhc.edu. To register, visit https://apps.uhcl.edu/ECommerce/Schedule/FridayCE. 

UHCL alumna honored for career achievements, volunteerism

The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recognized University of Houston-Clear Lake alumna Endrica Galvan Hardwick as a Latina Industry Technology Leader in its annual Capital of Texas Awards.

Hardwick, a senior adviser program manager at Dell Technologies, graduated UH-Clear Lake in 1997 with a Master of Science in Software Engineering. At Dell, she is also a community pillar lead for the Dell Latino Connection Employee Resource Group.

In honoring her, the chamber noted her “outstanding achievements in technical leadership” as well as her civic activities, which include more than 500 hours in the last seven years as a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, March for Dimes, Central Texas Food Bank and Latinitas, an Austin-based non-profit organization whose mission is to encourage Latina youth to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

“Using technology for good is what motivates me the most,” Hardwick said. “I am mission-minded and like my work and service to make a positive contribution to our communities. Being engaged with non-profits fuels my desire to pay it forward.”

She shared advice for those on their own career path: “It has taken family, friends, mentors, and sponsors who have believed in me and were willing to invest time to make me the woman I am today. Find those people who will help you grow and realize your dreams.”

A native of McAllen, Texas, she resides with her family in Leander, near Austin.