Helen Matusevich Oujesky

Helen Matusevich Oujesky
Born	Helen Matusevich August 14, 1930 Fort Worth, United States
Died	February 1, 2010(2010-02-01) (aged 79)
Nationality	American
Occupation(s)	Teaching and research in microbiology
Years active	45
Notable work	Research in the field of environmental pollution of soil and water

Helen Matusevich Oujesky (August 14, 1930 – February 1, 2010) was an American professor of microbiology at the University of Texas, San Antonio. In this capacity she actively pursued environmental research on pollution of soil and water, particularly of toxic wastes.

In her career span of 45 years in the field of education and research, Oujesky was the recipient of several awards such as from the National Science Foundation, Student Science Training Programs for High School Students, Minority Research Programs for Minority High School Students, and an Intervention Model Program for Girls Using Laboratory Activities in Science, Math and Engineering. On 30 January 1997, her name was incorporated in the Texas Women's Hall of Fame.

Biography

Oujesky was born in Fort Worth, Texas on August 14, 1930. Her parents were Lilly (Krivanek) and Steve Matusevich. After her college graduation in 1951 with a bachelor's degree from the Texas State College for Women (Now Texas Woman's University) she started her career as a teacher from 1951 at the Trimble Tech at Fort Worth of the Indiana School Districts and worked up to 1963 as teacher in Chemistry and biology. She also pursued her higher education at the Texas Christian University (TCU) and received a Master of Arts degree in 1965. She awarded her doctoral degree from the Texas Woman's University (TWU) in 1968.

Oujesky then worked from 1963–1965 as graduate teaching assistant at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth. From 1965 to 1968 she worked as graduate teacher at the Texas Woman's University and as assistant professor from 1968–1973.

Oujesky then joined the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1973 and retired as professor in 2001. She was also on the Board of directors of the Texas Academy of Sciences from 1980.

Apart from presenting her research findings at various forums on "applied microbial ecology and effects of environmental pollutants on microbial metabolism related to water and land pollution of toxic wastes, she has also lectured on the subject of "educational equity for girls and women" at many centers in the country. She also gave a guest lecture at the 5th International Biodeterioration Symposium in Aberdeen, Scotland. She was also associated with supporting pre-college students in explaining their scientific work at science fairs and junior science academies. She was also supportive of the cause of minority women to appreciate scientific themes.

Family

Helen Matusevich married Frank Oujesky on 27 December 1951. They had three children – Michael Jerome, David Franklin, and Christopher Aaron. Christopher, and her husband Frank had died before her. She died at the age of 79 on February 1, 2010 and was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Membership

Oujesky was a member of the following institutions and societies at various stages of her career.

• President Altrusa Club San Antonio
• Member of board directors Alamo Regional Academy of Sciences & Engineering, San Antonio
• San Antonio Women's Celebration & Hall of Fame
• Fellow Texas Academy of Sciences
• Member American Association for the Advancement of Science
• American Association of University Women (as president from 1985–1987, and president Texas branch from 1994)
• American Society for Microbiology
• Society for Industrial Microbiology (on the Education committee from 1976)
• Sigma Xi (Alamo chapter president 1985–1986)