|
Students: What they have to say and where are they now?
KRISTINA FOULIAS, Research Assistant, College of Staten Island (CSI), CUNY
I began as a participant of the AMP program in the Spring of 2006. My mentor was Dr. Moni Chauhan and the topic of my research was “Lewis Acid Catalyzed Hydrosilylation of 1,4 &1,2 –Polybutadienes." AMP has provided me the means both academically and economically to do my research at the College of Staten Island-CUNY (CSI) during the Spring 06. In the Fall 2006 I have transferred to CSI where I would continue to do research with the support of AMP. The laboratory experience I have gained has proven invaluable both in the laboratory and classroom settings. I have come to appreciate the tremendous effort and satisfaction gained from following a research project from its beginnings to the final stages of presenting. I made oral and poster presentations in several conferences. The opportunity of working in a Lab is a truly remarkable experience; you must utilize your powers of creativity as well as your analytical and mechanical skills. No matter which career path you intend to pursue, AMP gives you the means and the tools necessary for success in any future endeavor.
HEIDI MARTINEZ, Research Scholar, Stony Brook University
“I started participating in the AMP program spring 2005. My mentor is Dr. Sharon Lall-Ramnarine and the topic of my research is “Synthesis of New Types of Quaternary Ammonium Ionic Liquids”. Doing research through the AMP program has helped me to appreciate and consider a career in organic chemistry research. It is very different to take a chemistry course than to actually do hands on work in the field of chemistry. You really get a different perspective and understanding more of what you have been taught. I have had the opportunity to present a power point presentation as well as a poster presentation. Both experiences have built my communication skills as well as networking with other people in the different science fields. Also, through AMP, I am currently continuing my research in Brookhaven National Laboratory. This experience has been exciting because I’ve met people I never thought I would meet and have also had the chance to accomplish a lot in such a short period of time. I would recommend any student to consider doing research through the AMP program because it is an experience that is truly rewarding no matter what your goals are.”
back to top
JASMINE HATCHER, Research Scholar, Queens College, CUNY
“I started the AMP program in January of 2005. I have been working with Dr. Sharon Lall-Ramnarine. My topic is Chiral Ionic Liquids. While working with Dr. Lall, I have gained skills that I will use later on in life. This summer I am working at Brookhaven National Labs and I am furthering my work. I am using machines that I have never used before and I get to work at a national lab. I have also had the opportunity of attending several meetings and I have made 2 presentations—one oral presentation and one poster. At the end of the summer, I will have made two more poster presentations. Overall I would say that I have really enjoyed my time with AMP and I look forward to working with them next semester.”
back to top
VANESSA LEE HERNANDEZ, Research Scholar, Stony Brook University
“There is a whole lot that I can say about my research experience. I initially started at Queensborough with a very negative attitude about a community college. I myself have come from a four year private university. I have to say however that the faculty here at Queensborough has guided me along the way, and introduced me to different aspects of learning such "research". I was part of the RIMS program my second semester at Queensborough. My graduating year I was part of the LSAMP, in which I conducted research at Queens College. These experiences taught me to be more disciplined and gave me some insight on what’s out there. Currently I am at Brookhaven National Laboratory doing research on Ionic Liquids. My mentor is Dr. Sharon Lall-Ramnarine. She is a wonderful mentor who has made my experience with LSAMP a great one. One thing that I can say is that a lot more students should involve themselves with hands-on research.”
back to top
FERNANDO QUIJIJE, Alumni
Summer 2004 – Fall 2004, transferred to City College, CUNY
“The AMP program is an excellent way of allowing minority students have a feeling of achievement during their college life other than obtaining good grades. It was great to have met so many determined minority students on the path to success and that it’s not always the way minorities are depicted in Hollywood.”
back to top
KIJANA KERR, Research Scholar (summer 04 – Present)
Born on the Island of Jamaica, Kijana spent most of childhood there before he moved to the United States in 1999. The same year he enrolled at the Humanities and The Arts High School, from where he graduated with honors before enrolling at Queensborough Community College in Fall 2003. Under the expert tutelage of the school staff and in particularly his Chemistry teacher Dr. Sharon Lall-Ramnarine, he developed an exceptional aptitude for science and was encouraged to apply for the LSAMP research program. Admittedly a shy person, Kijana dreaded public speaking but has quickly developed the confidence to communicate his research project. He started his research with LSAMP under the supervision of Dr. Lall-Ramnarine entitled, “The Synthesis and Characterization of Ether and Hydroxyl Containing Ionic Liquids” in summer 2004 and has already presented his work at a number of local and national scientific conferences. The summer 2004 Closing Session at Brookhaven National Laboratory poster session was his first opportunity to present. In spring 2005, Kijana and his mentor Dr. Lall-Ramnarine have participated in the Queens Boro-Wide 2005 at Queens College on March 2, 2005, the American Chemical Society (ACS) held in San Diego and the Stony Brook University - “Gathering of Science Scholars” also in March 2005, the 13th Syracuse University/CSTEP Conference in Sagamore, Bolton Landing in April 2005 where he was placed 2nd in the Natural Science category. Also in April 2005 he presented at the New York section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) undergraduate symposium at Stony Brook and the American Chemical Society (ACS) Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting at Rutgers New Jersey. Presently conducting research with Dr. Lall-Ramnarine’s Ionic Liquid group at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Kijana will return to QCC in the fall 2005 to continue his degree pursuit. Now an active member of the American Chemical Society and CSTEP, Kijana also finds the time to play for on the QCC’s Soccer Team while maintaining an excellent average in his courses.
  
When asked about his experience doing research he said: “My exposure to these scientific presentations and the chemistry classes has increased my interest in this area. I am privileged to conduct hands on research through AMP and to present my research at a local and a national conference. I look forward to continuing my research in this area with AMP’s support.”
His career goal is to complete his Associates degree in chemistry and eventually his Bachelors onto the Ph. D. in the same or a related field. The choice between teaching or full time research is uncertain, but he is sure to become a Scientist.
  
back to top
ROSA PATRICIA ROSALES
Rosa was born in Peru where she received primary and secondary education before moving to the United States of America. While living in Peru, Rosa participated in a wide variety of activities which includes Theatre acting, Mass monitoring, volunteer charity drive and church proceedings. This earned her awards for exemplifying great excellence in academics and leadership qualities.
In March of 2002, Rosa and her family started a new life in America. She had to learn English as a second language along with the surroundings. I enrolled into Queensborough community college as a full-time student in the Fall of 2003, she maintains excellence. She was an honor student up to graduation. Before moving to the LSAMP program, Rosa was involved in the RIMS research program. She was very elated to work at the Cornell University during the summer 2005 and then continued to conduct research at York College with her mentor Dr. Ruel Desamero. Her achievement at QCC goes way beyond academics as she has continued to offer her services as a volunteer. She worked with the Mary Immaculate Lab in Jamaica Queens and the Chemistry Demo Area in Science center, Ithaca.
Rosa has presented her research work all over the country and has worked with numerous professors—scientists of different grants, programs and institutions. Whatever project she encounters will get her full cooperation and interest and that makes Rosa a wonderful role model. When asked about her STEM interest, she emphatically expressed, “I am interested in sciences because I believe that I can contribute many things to humanity and it has always been an interested of mine”.
Now a graduate of QCC with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences she will pursue a Bachelors degree in Chemistry at either York College, Cornell University or the University of Buffalo. The ultimate is to achieve a Ph.D. in Biochemistry.
Rosa Rosales is featured in the Queensborough CC 2006 advertising campaign
back to top
| 
