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Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Margaret Cataldi

Margaret Cataldi

Margaret Cataldi is a junior at the University of Texas at El Paso majoring in Multimedia Journalism and minoring in Philosophy. She is the Multimedia Editor at the Prospector where she oversees the creation of video content. She also produces the Prospector Podcast, a bi-weekly show that covers current events affecting the student body and the broader borderland community. Margaret enjoys investigating current events in news, politics and entertainment and analyzing how these topics intersect and shape society as a whole. After graduation, she plans to continue her education by pursuing a Master's degree in Sociology.

All content by Margaret Cataldi
Veronica Carbajal, a candidate for mayor of El Paso, protesting proposed energy plant at San Jacinto Plaza.

Climate activists protest proposed fracking plant for Northeast El Paso

Margaret Cataldi, Multimedia Editor October 2, 2020

A crowd of about 40 people gathered to protest El Paso Electric’s plan to construct a new fracked-gas generator plant in Northeast El Paso Sept. 21 at San Jacinto Plaza. According to a public statement by the utility company, the estimated construction...

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The dashboard reveals that 19 people tested positive for the virus and 6 people reported their positive status to the university between Sept. 28 and Oct. 4.

[Video] ‘It’s very dead now:’ UTEP empty on first day of semester

Paulina Astrid Spencer, Entertainment Editor August 26, 2020

24-year-old Maximiliano Sarmiento is a nursing student who’s worked at the information desk in UTEP’s Union East building for a while. He said the Union looks "very dead now." “We used to have around 150 students on the second floor at the dining...

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Interesting and underrated classes at UTEP

Interesting and underrated classes at UTEP

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter April 17, 2020

Registering for classes is one of the most daunting tasks that college students will repeatedly face throughout their academic careers. For new students in particular, the extensive catalog of courses to choose from, paired with the confusing set of requirements...

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OPINION: Managing a mental illness while in self-quarantine

OPINION: Managing a mental illness while in self-quarantine

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter April 15, 2020

Four weeks ago, before everything got canceled, before we were all ordered to stay inside and before life seemingly came to a sudden halt, I welcomed and even hoped for the possibility of a countrywide lockdown. I saw it as an opportunity to destress...

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A home office is a space designated in a person's residence for official business purposes.

Opinion: Essential habits for working from home

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter March 30, 2020

With all the chaos surrounding COVID-19, many institutions have started operating remotely from home. For those fortunate enough to keep their job amidst this global pandemic, the new work-from-home format might seem like a win at first, especially for...

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Vicky Zhuang, exhibit curator and Biodiversity Collections Manager at UTEP poses next to a 3D model of an ant on display at the “Tiny Tunnels, Big Connections: Ant Relationships Shape the World,” exhibit at the Centennial Museum.

UTEP ant exhibit sparks memories of the defunct Insights El Paso Science Center

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter February 24, 2020

“Tiny Tunnels, Big Connections: Ant Relationships Shape the World” is the latest installment at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Centennial Museum and the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens. It was created thanks to a $166,000 grant that the UTEP...

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The University of Texas at El Paso’s College of Science opened the spring 2020 semester with its newest undergraduate degree offering – a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). The new degree is the campus’ latest effort in an ongoing mission of providing competitive academic and research opportunities at one of the most reasonable prices for a U.S. top tier university.

UTEP introduces a new degree program to keep up with the demands of our changing climate

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter February 17, 2020

The University of Texas at El Paso’s College of Science unveiled its latest undergraduate degree at the start of the spring 2020 semester - a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). Under this new program, students will be able...

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Armed with guitar and drum, Pedro Blandon strummed and sang beautiful songs to protest war in Iran.

Seeking peace in the Middle East and beyond: El Pasoans rally against all aspects of war

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter February 3, 2020

An anti-war rally was held Jan. 25 at the Northwest corner of Memorial Park thanks to the combined efforts of local organizations like Sunrise El Paso, El Chuco Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and Border Peace Presence. The event coincided with...

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Elidable voters must register before February 3rd in order to participate in the Texas Primary election on March 3rd.

Local organizations collaborate to raise Latino voter turnout

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter January 27, 2020

 Telemundo 48 partnered with the University of Texas at El Paso’s (UTEP) League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) chapter Wednesday, Jan. 15, in an effort to register students to vote in the upcoming primary election. The two organizations tabled...

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Montero Lamar Hill, known professionally as Lil Nas X, is an American rapper, singer and songwriter.

This year’s music releases by female and LGBTQ artists

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter December 3, 2019

In 2019, we saw yet another year of musical talent either blossoming for the first time or blooming for the tenth spring. From established artists like Lana Del Rey to newcomers like Lil Nas X, the year gave birth to iconic sounds from brilliant albums...

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Dr. Dharamsi Dean of College Health Science, Florina Barnett Director in the UTEP Office of Human Resources, Christopher Favila  and Paola Barrientos Mechanical Engineering students. (From left to right)

OPINION: First-generation graduates and alumni pave the way for future generations

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter December 3, 2019

For second or third-generation students, going to college may not seem like a big deal. The expectation has already been set and they may be simply continuing down a path that has been paved for them.    But for families that haven’t had access...

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The main characteristic of a pyramid scheme is that participants make money by recruiting more members.

Multi-level marketing often confused for pyramid schemes

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter November 19, 2019

The nature of multi-level marketing (MLM) often gets legitimate MLM companies confused for illegal pyramid schemes, but there is a clear line dividing both concepts.   Fernando Jimenez-Arevalo, UTEP associate professor of marketing and management,...

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Eli Greenbaum, Ph.D., an associate professor of biological science at UTEP, holds a Gaboon viper in Congo, Africa.

UTEP biology professor leads study on Congolese giant toad

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter November 12, 2019

Eli Greenbaum, associate professor of biological sciences at UTEP, led a study that was recently published in the Journal of Natural History. The study focused on the suspected mimicry of Gaboon vipers by the rare Congolese giant toad.  The research...

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Future Funk is also known as Vaporboogie, Japanese Disco.

Classical composer explains future funk

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter November 12, 2019

Staff reporter Margaret Cataldi interviewed Hayley Mendoza, a member of the marching band at New Mexico State University and applied business major minoring in music theory, on future funk, a microgenre that has garnered attention in the online music...

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Mercury’s silhouette will appear across the sky on the dawn of Monday, Nov. 11, and will be visible until 11 a.m. that morning.

UTEP professor discusses Mercury’s rare transit with NASA scientist

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter November 10, 2019

Andrew Fleck, a UTEP associate professor of English, had a conversation via Skype about the transit of Mercury with Renee Weber, a research scientist specializing in planetary seismology at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.   The...

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This Matters: Embracing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity.

Graduate student deciphers cultural inertia through Newton’s laws of motion

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter November 5, 2019

The UTEP Student Engagement and Leadership Center (SELC) hosted an engaging and insightful discussion titled “The Good Old Days” where facilitator Angel Armenta used the theory of cultural inertia to further explain why some groups present hostility...

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File Photo

UTEP announces provost search

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter October 29, 2019

UTEP launched its search for a new provost on October.   The newly formed search committee met for the first time on Friday, Oct. 18, to discuss the details of the search process.  The search committee is led by Chairman Gary Edens, vice...

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Courtesy of @jrnynsolitue

Local nonbinary substitute teacher part of an unrepresented minority in education field

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter October 29, 2019

Benjamin Reyes, 36, began working as a substitute teacher for the El Paso Independent School District in December of 2018. What sets Reyes apart from most teachers is the way that Reyes identifies in regard to gender.   Reyes identifies as nonbinary,...

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Lenox: a local drag queen’s story

Lenox: a local drag queen’s story

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter October 22, 2019

https://youtu.be/Ubu7fRspD9A Staff reporter Margaret Cataldi caught up with local drag queen “Lenox” to discuss everything from inspiration to life outside of drag. Lenox also recently performed at Touch Bar and Nightclub, an El Paso gay...

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Darin Printz of Eaton’s Connected Lighting Solutions giving his presentation on sustainable lighting solutions.

Pollution conference informs city developers on sustainable building practices

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Repoter October 22, 2019

The environmental organization Eco El Paso presented its 12th annual “Pollution & Solutions” conference to give local professionals in enterprises such as planning, engineering, architecture and construction an opportunity to learn from...

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Local artist showcase their painted pianos at 2019 Chalk The Block, El Paso.

Chalk the Block colors downtown El Paso

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter October 17, 2019

Chalk the Block art festival took place on the weekend of Oct. 11-13 at downtown El Paso, housing national and international artists. The event also hosted a chalk walk competition among local artists. Among spray paint and chalk creations, attendees...

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Kiyohsi Ito, sixth grader at Michael E. Fossum Middle School in McAllen, Texas presents his talk, “A Challenge to Be Thankful.”

TEDxEl Paso unites the community’s brightest minds

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter October 15, 2019

“The New Now” was the theme of TEDxElPaso’s annual conference, where local speakers aimed to inspire people to “make a dent in the universe and leave (their) own unique footprint,” said event curator Kassi Foster.    The conference...

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The dark web is as ominous as it sounds

The dark web is as ominous as it sounds

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter October 8, 2019

The internet is a vast and seemingly endless place, more immense than most people can even comprehend. Yet the common user has only explored about 1% of its total content. The remaining 99% is what is known as the deep web.    The vast content...

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Honeybadger and community co-leader Andrew Clanan addresses the team and those who wish to join, at the team's first meeting.

Local esports team helps members socialize and connect

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter October 7, 2019

The El Paso Honey Badgers is a competitive online gaming (esports) league that started up in late January this past year and has expanded citywide. The league was originally founded with the intention of helping shy students branch out and meet...

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A life's commitment to social services

A life’s commitment to social services

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter October 1, 2019

Dorothy Truax is one of 10 alumni receiving a Gold Nugget Award as part of UTEP’s 2019 Homecoming celebration. Truax is being recognized for her contributions to social work within the El Paso community.    After Truax went on to obtain a bachelor’s...

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Missing, deceased Juárez women remembered in art exhibition

Missing, deceased Juárez women remembered in art exhibition

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter October 1, 2019

The Rubin Center Gallery hosted an opening ceremony Thursday, Sept. 26, for its latest exhibit that pays homage to the young missing women of Ciudad Juárez.    The exhibit, titled “Brian Maguire: Scenes of Absence,” is described as “an exploration...

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ASARCO exhibit pays homage to a story of injustice

ASARCO exhibit pays homage to a story of injustice

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter September 24, 2019

“The Town and the Smelter” is the latest exhibit featured at the UTEP Centennial Museum, which showcases photographs and artifacts taken from a place and period in time that is still remembered by the El Paso community. The American Smelting and...

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Photo courtesy of Sunrise El Paso.

El Paso community gathers for the global climate strike

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter September 24, 2019

A crowd gathered Friday, Sept. 20, at Memorial Park to rally for environmental justice as part of a global climate strike. Dozens of citizens — old, young and even some pets — assembled on the lush lawn to listen to the various speakers who highlighted the...

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Eco El Paso hosts the city’s first-ever National Drive Electric Festival Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Sunland Park Mall’s south parking lot.

Eco El Paso hosts first Drive Electric Festival

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter September 17, 2019

Eco El Paso, a local environmental organization, partnered with National Drive Electric Week to host the city’s first-ever National Drive Electric Festival Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Sunland Park Mall’s south parking lot.   National Drive...

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Graduate students listened to multiple speakers at the Graduate Leadership Panel at El Paso Gas Conference Center Tuesday Sept. 10, 2019.

Graduate students open up on benefits and struggles of pursuing a master’s

Margaret Cataldi, Contributor September 17, 2019

The Student Engagement and Leadership Center hosted a Graduate Leadership Panel to answer students’ questions on graduate school Wednesday at the Natural Gas Conference Center on Wiggins Drive.   The event took place as part of Leadership...

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The audience excited for the performance of the Norwegian duo Lemaitre in 29th annual Minerpalooza at the Sunbowl parking lot, Aug. 30, 2019.

Minerpalooza amps up school spirit for new semester

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter September 3, 2019

UTEP closed off the first week of the fall semester with the 29th annual Minerpalooza on Friday, Aug. 31. As part of a long-established school tradition, Minerpalooza did not fall short of delivering all the school spirit needed to kick off the new semester.   The...

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Miner Welcome week launches fall term

Miner Welcome week launches fall term

Margaret Cataldi, Staff Reporter August 27, 2019

UTEP’s Student Engagement and Leadership Center is ready to welcome all new and returning Miners with a week of events, free swag and food for students to kick off the start of the fall semester. From Monday to Thursday, the university will host...

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UTEP Health Fair at Tomas Rivera Conference Center Wednesday July 17, 2019.

Annual Mindful Miner Health Fair encourages a healthy lifestyle

Margaret Cataldi, Contributor July 19, 2019

UTEP’s Department of Human Resources hosted its annual Mindful Miner Health Fair on Wednesday, July 17, at the Thomas Rivera Conference Center. The Mindful Miner Health Fair is an event organized to give local health care providers, alongside local...

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Kids enjoyed ice cream during the Ice Cream Festival in El Paso Convention Center on Sunday, June 20, 2019. Kids had the opportunity to make their own ice cream in different stands during the event.

Ice-cold treats and more at the 4th annual Ice Cream Festival

Margaret Cataldi, Contributor July 1, 2019

Big Boy Concessions partnered up with El Paso Live to host the fourth annual Ice Cream Festival on Sunday, June 30,  at the Downtown Convention Center. Boasted as being one of the largest family-friendly summer festivals in the city, the El Paso Ice...

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Margaret Cataldi