The Dean is pleased to recognize Crystal Garrett-McEwen as the recipient of this month's COS Excellence in Mastering Challenges Continuously (E=mc²) Award! This award was established by Dean Quintanilla to recognize outstanding efforts among full-time staff members within the College of Science and its departments.

Crystal has been the Laboratory Facility Manager for the BioDiscovery Institute since 2021 and has worked at UNT in some capacity since 2010.

She said her favorite thing about her job is ensuring the institute's researchers have everything they need to succeed in their research. She manages the inventory of numerous spaces, placing orders for the supplies and equipment that keep all the lab's facilities running smoothly. As the UNT Building Representative for the Science Research Building, she also handles key requests and space surveys.

While her educational background is in psychology, Crystal has recently started taking classes toward an MA in Art History. Her organizational and creative inclinations have lent themselves to a number of interdisciplinary projects in the College of Science, including the visual art displays for UNT Astronomy and the Elm Fork Education Center in the Environmental Research Building (EESAT), and the Community Art and Science Exhibit in Hickory Hall.

Her coworkers say Crystal is an excellent problem-solver and always willing to jump into action to help solve any issues that may arise from day to day.

Besides helping researchers achieve their goals here at UNT, Crystal also prides herself on her woodworking skills. A little-known fact is that she was in the Air Force for almost five years and served overseas in two countries during that time.

If you'd like to nominate a deserving staff member for the E=mc² award, please complete this nomination form.