Undergraduate Research Day Showcases Student Research Projects across the Disciplines
Students presented a total of 80 posters at the Undergraduate Research Day conference, providing a showcase of Queensborough’s faculty-led undergraduate research efforts across the disciplines. The event, held on December 9 in the College’s Student Union, was spearheaded by Dr. Sharon Lall-Ramnarine, Professor in the department of Chemistry. Approximately 150 students, faculty and staff attended the event.
Additional organizers were the College’s Undergraduate Research Committee, the Community College Undergraduate Research Initiative (CCURI) team and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). Queensborough recently partnered with CCURI, which incorporates undergraduate research into community college curricula to engage students at the beginning of their academic career.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Diane B. Call, President, applauded the efforts of the College’s mentors. “I thank our faculty for inspiring our amazing growth and success in the area of undergraduate research. Because of their mentorship and dedication to our students, we are among the more recognized community colleges in the country that participates in undergraduate research.”
Dr. Lall-Ramnarine praised the College’s and the students’ pursuit of academic excellence: “We are proud to offer you the opportunity to participate in this excellent learning experience. This is not only a major achievement but a scholarly occasion to present the results of your hard work with colleagues and faculty in various fields.”
Students made their presentations from the departments of Biological Sciences and Geology, Chemistry, Engineering Technology, English, Mathematics and Computer Science, Music, Physics and Social Sciences.
Among the highlights of the symposium were the presentations from the department of Engineering Technology on state-of-the-art applications for the new 3D (three-dimensional) printers. The students demonstrated how 3D printing is poised to alter the future of manufacturing, including biomedical models of internal organs, tissue and bones.
On the humanities side, students in the department of music presented posters that analyzed the Study and performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s ‘Montagues and Capulets’ from Ten Pieces from Romeo and Juliet, Op.75, and the Influence of the Mozart Effect.
Among the issues explored by students in the department of Social Sciences were, “Is there Equality between Public vs. Charter Schools?”; “How do Queensborough Students Respond to Genocide Education and Prevention Curricula?”; and, “Analyzing Emirati Opinion on Immigration: Extending Migration Theory.”
“This event was a great opportunity for me to network with faculty and fellow students who are interested in science-related fields. Seeing so many poster presentations at one time deepened my interest and knowledge about the problems and questions facing our world today.” Francisco Caban, Presenter, Synthesis of X-Shape Molecules as Electron Acceptors in Organic Solar Cells. Francisco Caban presented the research results with co-presenter Yi (Jane) Jiang under the faculty guidance of Dr. Sujun Wei, Chemistry
Special recognition was given to administrators and faculty mentors who helped make the occasion possible: Dr. Diane B. Call, President; Dr. Kathleen Landy, Assistant Dean for Teaching & Learning, Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning (CETL); Dr. Sandra Palmer, Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs; Glenn Burdi, Dean, Academic Operations; Stephen Di Dio, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, Marketing and Communications; Richard D’Amato, Coordinator, Printing Services; Francesca Berrouet, Director, CSTEP; Kristina Papacostas, College Assistant, QCC CRSP; Philip Roncoroni, Manager, Communications, Broadcast & Multimedia Productions; Marcos Peralta, Metropolitan Food Services and Pedro Irigoyen and Andrew Xu, CLTs, Chemistry.
See photos from event here
Faculty Representatives by Department
Professor Kathleen Wentrack, Art and Design Department
Professor Nidhi Gadura, Biological Sciences and Geology Department
Professor Christina Manzo, Business Department
Professor Sharon Lall-Ramnarine, Chemistry Department
Professor Michael Lawrence, Engineering Technology Department
Professor Melissa Dennihy, English Department
Professor Wei Lai, Foreign Languages and Literature Department
Professor Andrea Salis, Health, Physical Education and Dance Department
Professor Frank Jacob, History Department
Professor Mi-Seon (Christine) Kim, Library Department
Professor Mercedes Franco, Mathematics and Computer Science Department
Professor Steven Dahlke, Music Department
Professor Georgina Colalillo, Nursing Department
Professor Marie Chantale Damas, Physics Department
Professor Amy Traver, Social Sciences Department
Professor Franca Ferrari-Bridgers, Speech Communication and Theatre Arts Department
Community College Undergraduate Research Initiative (CCURI) Team
Professor Joan Petersen, Biological Sciences and Geology Department
Professor Sharon Lall-Ramnarine, Chemistry Department
Professor Maria Mercedes Franco, Mathematics and Computer Science Department
Professor Rex Taibu, Physics Department
Professor Rommel Robertson, Social Sciences Department
Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP)
Director: Dr. Nidhi Gadura
Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program
Research initiative to maximize science skills (RIMS)
Program Director: Dr. Patricia Schneider
Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP)
Program Director: Ms. Marie-Francesca Berrouet
Presenter - Mentor - Department
Adolfo Coyotl - Joan Petersen - Biological Science
Amandeep Rataul - Nidhi Gadura - Biological Science
Brenda Torres - Mangala Tawde - Biological Science
Bryan Obregon Blaker - Urszula Golebiewska - Biological Science
Catherine - Immordino - Mangala Tawde - Biological Science
Christopher Roblodowski - Biological Science
Deandra Dyer - Joan Petersen - Biological Science
Djephby Thelisima - Peter Novick - Biological Science
Edward Nouel - Monica Trujillo - Biological Science
Emmanuel Garcia - Pokay Ma - Biological Science
Hoda Forde - Gheorghe Proteasa - Biological Science
Hugh Small - Naydu Carmona - Biological Science
Kathereen Palencia-Serna - Monica Trujillo - Biological Science
Lian Nicole Ramos - Monica Trujillo - Biological Science
Marie Joseph - James A Timbilla - Biological Science
Mateo Saenz - Naydu Carmona - Biological Science
Shaina Durand - Monica Trujillo - Biological Science
Chanele Rodriguez - Sharon Lall-Ramnarine Chemistry
David Kwun - Paris Svoronos - Chemistry
Eddie Fernandez - Sharon Lall-Ramnarine Chemistry
Edison - Mera - Paris Svoronos - Chemistry
Evens Esperance - Moni Chauhan - Chemistry
Francisco Caban - Sujun Wei - Chemistry
Ha Eun Kim - Jun Shin - Chemistry
Hyeon Yun - Jun Shin - Chemistry
Jasodra Devi Ramdihal - Sharon Lall-Ramnarine Chemistry
Jean Hwang - David Sarno - Chemistry
Julie Lie Leong - Paris Svoronos - Chemistry
Katherine Kim - David Sarno - Chemistry
Kristina Papacostas - Sharon Lall-Ramnarine Chemistry
Margaret de los Santos Paris Svoronos - Chemistry
Mathiu Perez Rodriguez - Ruth Stark - Chemistry
Mei Sze Lai - Sasan Karimi - Chemistry
Nicholas Carrero - Tirandai Hemraj-Benny Chemistry
Patrick Tuttle - Sujun Wei - Chemistry
Rawlric Sumner - Tirandai Hemraj-Benny Chemistry
Tao Hong - Moni Chauhan - Chemistry
Xiaofang Yu - Sujun Wei - Chemistry
Yerania Aguilar - Sanjai Kumar - Chemistry
Yi (Jane) Jiang - Sujun Wei - Chemistry
Yueli Chen - Paul Sideris - Chemistry
Jose Osorio-Hernandez - Merlinda Drini - Engineering Technology
Kevin Fernandes - Michael Lawerence - Engineering Technology
Natasha Charles - Shahadat Hossain - Engineering Technology
Nishal Kayharee - Michael Lawerence - Engineering Technology
Oscar Pais - Shahadat Hossain - Engineering Technology
Abigail Jalle - Benjamin Miller - English
Bingming Zhang - Kwang Hyun Kim - Mathematics & Computer Science
Dareneque Sharpe - Kwang Hyun Kim - Mathematics & Computer Science
Jun Pyo Hong - Whan Ki Lee - Mathematics & Computer Science
Orlando Castillo - Bianca Sosnovski - Mathematics & Computer Science
Yiting Zheng - Azita Mayeli - Mathematics & Computer Science
Xin Zhang - Kwang Hyun Kim - Mathematics & Computer Science
Zeynep Akcay - Mathematics & Computer Science
Wendy Rivera - Steven Dahlke - Music
Xianghe Yuan - Mirna Lekic - Music
David Buitrago - Raul Armendariz - Physics
Atchara Ratanaburi - M. Chantale Damas - Physics
Aye Chan Paing - Raul Armendariz - Physics
Jason Chou - M. Chantale Damas - Physics
Kaiming Wang - Sunil Dehipawala - Physics
Lormisha Clairvil - Sunil Dehipawala - Physics
Myo Thu Ya Aung - M. Chantale Damas - Physics
Ranathunga Ranathunga - Sunil Dehipawala - Physics
Rex Taibu - Physics
Sunil Dehipawala - Physics
Udya Dewanamuni - Sunil Dehipawala - Physics
Xin Zhao - Raul Armendariz - Physics
Adriana Vargas - Amy Traver - Social Sciences
Balcumarie Persaud - Amy Traver - Social Sciences
Cindy Vallejo - Amy Traver - Social Sciences
Dursun Halmuradova - Amy Traver - Social Sciences
Farbod Moghadam - Adam Luedtke - Social Sciences
Kulsoom Badar - Amy Traver - Social Sciences
Maream Camara - Amy Traver - Social Sciences
Ramona Shiwmangal - Amy Traver - Social Sciences
Rolecia Nedd - Amy Traver - Social Sciences
Stephanie Henry - Amy Traver - Social Sciences
Tiana Williams - Amy Traver - Social Sciences -
Xuekai Cao - Amy Traver - Social Sciences
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