Undergraduate Research Day Showcases Student Research Projects across the Disciplines

Published: December 19, 2016

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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