Iowa State University Alumni Association| online edition | summer 2008
Cilia Maria Ruiz-Paz

 


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CROSS-CULTURAL CRIME FIGHTER

Last summer, Cilia Maria Ruiz-Paz crossed her fingers as she submitted an application to the Washington Center, hoping for an internship that would draw on her multicultural strengths and provide an opportunity to work in government. Her hopes were realized when she was awarded an internship at Interpol in Washington, D.C.

Ruiz-Paz was selected for a position at the Interpol Operations and Command Center. Interpol is the world’s largest international police organization, with 184 member countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police cooperation and supports organizations, authorities, and services whose missions are to prevent or combat international crime.

Ruiz-Paz, a senior in psychology and international studies, was born in Colombia and raised in Iowa. With her dual citizenship, multicultural work comes naturally. When she looks locally, she sees globally.

“I believe that my experience at Interpol gave me the opportunity to benefit both countries at one time,” she said.

As part of the Notices Program, Ruiz-Paz reviewed, processed, and diffused notices, case files, and requests from foreign law enforcement authorities. She provided intelligence support to worldwide law enforcement agencies through the use of database research. She also communicated information to foreign Interpol countries and assisted when translation was necessary.

“The pace was exciting and intense, sometimes to the point where I became … desensitized,” she said. “At times it felt a bit surreal, especially when notices would cross my desk involving Colombian activities and how lives were impacted.”

“The best part of my Interpol experience was visiting different federal agencies, learning how they all function, and meeting the agents themselves,” said Ruiz-Paz. “It was wonderful learning of their vast experience and actually discussing better solutions to resolve international conflicts.”

While interning at Interpol, Ruiz-Paz volunteered for the Alexandria Police Department as a translator, riding with officers every Friday and Saturday night as they actively patrolled their precincts.

“I wanted to participate in a project that would allow me to utilize my language skills as well as help the two groups that I hold dear to my heart: the Latino community and the law enforcement community.”

“We are living in such a globalized world, and I consider myself to be a cultural mediator,” said Ruiz-Paz. “I like to be involved in opportunities where I can benefit different cultures.”

In addition to an outstanding academic record at Iowa State, Ruiz-Paz speaks fluent English, Spanish, and French, as well as “passable” Portuguese and Italian. These language skills have parlayed into a tremendous variety of professional experiences over the course of her collegiate career.

Whether she was interning at Interpol, participating in the Semester at Sea program, or volunteering as a translator with the Alexandria Police Department,
Ruiz-Paz has drawn on her ability to make unique connections and bridge cultural divides.

After graduation, Ruiz-Paz plans to pursue a law degree and hopes to someday work in government to improve and strengthen international relations.

About the Writer | Maryann Sherman is a freelance writer.

FOOD SAFETY LEADERSHIP

Scott HurdBaptism by fire. That’s what Scott Hurd calls his first few days as the newly appointed deputy undersecretary for food safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“With only four days on the job, I was handling the largest meat recall in history and dealing with the hot buttons of animal handling, school lunch programs, and food nutrition issues,” said Hurd, an associate profes-
sor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine at Iowa State.

He says it’s been a rewarding and interesting experience. “The biggest challenge for me is communicating risk management to non-scientists. Attempting to provide a clear picture in a 20-second sound bite during a congressional hearing can be a little tricky.”

The professional perk for Hurd is the opportunity to use science-based decision making and apply this to the inspection forces in risky product areas and operations that have had troubles in the past.

The USDA added Hurd as a senior member of the nation’s food safety team in February 2008. Hurd’s experience in a wide range of food safety and animal health issues fits well with the Food Safety and Inspection Service, whose mission is to protect the public from foodborne illness and ensure that the nation’s meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and correctly packaged.

In addition to this new appointment, Hurd is a senior epidemiologist in the College of Veterinary Medicine who is leading important research on food risk affecting human health. Hurd is also an affiliate faculty member at the Institute for Food Safety and Security at Iowa State.

About the Writer | Maryann Sherman is a freelance writer.

SHELTERBELTS
 IOWA STATE RESEARCHERS ARE APPLYING THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF AGRICULTURAL SHELTERBELTS TO PROTECT COASTAL AREAS FROM TSUNAMIS AT THE REQUEST OF THE UNITED NATIONS' FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION

Following the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia, inter-national planning agencies are searching for ways to prevent such tragedies in the future. ISU researchers in agronomy and geological and atmospheric sciences have been asked to develop a set of guidelines for rebuilding coastal forests based in their research on wind reduction by the use of agricultural shelterbelts.