Two Biology Students Awarded Highly-Competitive Research Fellowships

Students Christina Joseph and Kimberly Acevedo (left to right) have been awarded paid fellowships to conduct research on the Sparkill Creek this summer.

Two Dominican College Biology students have been awarded highly-competitive paid research fellowships to fund their summer research work on the Sparkill Creek. Kimberly Acevedo and Christina Joseph will be working a minimum of 10 weeks this summer on their projects and will be using a Dominican College research laboratory in the Prusmack Center.

Biology Professor Dr. Bernadette Connors said, “Students involved in these fellowship programs are afforded opportunities to contribute to the general body of scientific knowledge in the field of environmental microbiology. The work done by these research fellows will further grow the Environmental Sciences program at Dominican College, making the institution a regional center for work of this sort.” 

Acevedo received an American Society of Microbiology Undergraduate Research Fellowship, which entitles her to a $4,000 stipend, plus an invitation to present her work at the 2018 meeting in Atlanta, GA. Her research focuses on understanding and analyzing the biodiversity of microbial and viral life in the Sparkill Creek and the Piermont Marsh. Just 24 of these fellowships were awarded nationwide. 

Christina Joseph received a Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship through the Hudson River Foundation. She will receive a $3,800 stipend, along with $1,000 for supplies.  The focus of her work is to compare the Sparkill Creek in Rockland County and NJ to the Pocantico River in Westchester County.  Only eight Polgar Fellowships were awarded. 

 

 

July 3, 2017

College Offers Biology Research Workshop for High School Students

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Dominican College is offering a Biology research workshop for high school students on weekends. The workshop will be held on five consecutive Saturdays, beginning on October 29, 2016, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Students participating in the program will have the opportunity to perform original biological research. The workshop series is open to any high school student who has completed their life science course and has a demonstrated interest in completing a research project. A total of 10 spots are available and there is no charge for the workshop. 

Interested students should contact Dr. Bernadette Connors at bernadette.connors@duny.edu or 845-848-6020 prior to October 15, 2016.

 

 

 

September 14, 2016

Biology Professor Placed on Fulbright Specialist Roster

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Bernadette Connors, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, has been placed on the Fulbright Specialist Roster.

A Dominican College biology instructor has been selected to be placed on the Fulbright Specialist Roster by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Institute of International Education’s Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES).

The Roster is a list of all candidates who are eligible to be matched with overseas academic institutions needing expertise from Fulbright Specialists in a particular area of study.

Bernadette Connors, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, said she was delighted when she received the email stating that she would be placed on the Roster. “I was beyond excited at the opportunity to represent Dominican College as well as the United States,” said Dr. Connors.  “Having the unique experience of teaching biology at a small school might be valuable to another institution similar to our own overseas.  That is what is most exciting about it.”

Dr. Connors can remain on the Roster for up to five years. She is eligible for consideration for two to six-week grant opportunities through the Specialist Program. While Dr. Connors said she would consider traveling anywhere in the world as a Fulbright Specialist, her top choices are England and China. 

 

 

 

September 6, 2016

College Unveils Chemistry Lab With Equipment Donated from Pfizer, Inc.

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Dominican College President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D. with Pfizer Pearl River Site Leader Kerrin Mahaffey in the newly renovated chemistry laboratory in Forkel Hall.

Dominican College unveiled a newly-renovated chemistry laboratory in Forkel Hall on April 14, 2016.  The updated lab was made possible by the generous donation of about $500,000 worth of furniture and equipment from Pfizer, Inc. 

“We are delighted to be able to open this classroom and research laboratory for our students to begin using in fall,” said College President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D. “This additional lab shows our commitment to the sciences, which provide such an important foundation for many of the top fields of study at Dominican College – including nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic training.”

The furniture and equipment donated by Pfizer, Inc. include a chemical fume hood, four lab work benches, two equipment benches, glassware, solvent cabinets, and instruments. These additions will enhance the use of the renovated room for instruction and lab work.

Pfizer Pearl River Site Leader Kerrin Mahaffey said, “The Pearl River site has been committed to the Rockland community for over 110 years. Not only with advancing medicine and global health but in supporting our neighbors, non-profits and schools.”

She added, “We are so glad that we were able to provide the equipment for the chemistry and biology research labs. It is our hope that this will make it possible for future scientists to continue in the tradition of Pfizer and the Pearl River colleagues.  We expect great things from them.”          

Assistant Professor of Chemistry Colleen Evans, is pleased that the chemistry lab is located next to the biology lab. “That’s the future of chemistry majors to be able to have multi or interdisciplinary work.  I’m going to be working with faculty to develop programs that we can use for both chemistry and biology,” she said. “I think the new lab is really a catalyst that will hopefully help us grow the program to attract students to the field of chemistry.”

In November 2014, Dominican College dedicated a biology lab in Forkel Hall that also contained equipment donated by Pfizer, Inc. In addition to the laboratories in Forkel Hall, Dominican College has three biology labs, a physics lab, and a chemistry lab in Prusmack Center.

 

 

 

April 14, 2016

Dominican College to Participate in National Research Project

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Dominican College has been selected by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to pilot a new laboratory for undergraduate biology students. Just 20 schools were chosen nationwide to participate in the SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science) Project.

Bernadette Connors, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, said the program will result in freshman biology students being trained in more advanced laboratory techniques than they had been in the past. She said the students will become “virus hunters” and will look for bacterial viruses, otherwise known as bacteriophages, in soil samples. Once they isolate a virus and extract the DNA, HHMI will do the genome sequencing on the virus and students will subsequently piece together the genomic information. 

Dr. Connors stressed that the students will have ownership of the project throughout the 2016-2017 school year.   “They find the organisms.  They extract its DNA.  They figure out what the sequence looks like that makes that organism what it is,” she said. “It’s very experimental.  We don’t know what the results will be, so they are really digging and figuring it out for themselves and controlling it.”

HHMI provides support for the program by training faculty and conducting the genome sequencing. At the end of the project, one Dominican College student will be chosen to go to a national meeting to present the work of the group.  In addition, the class will become authors of an article in a peer-reviewed publication. 

Dr. Connors said the program will provide students with a good foundation. “All of biology is going the way of bioinformatics –putting together DNA pieces to better tell what an organism can and cannot do.”

 

February 10, 2016

Dominican College to Participate in National Research Project

biology

Dominican College has been selected by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to pilot a new laboratory for undergraduate biology students. Just 20 schools were chosen nationwide to participate in the SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science) Project.

Bernadette Connors, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, said the program will result in freshman biology students being trained in more advanced laboratory techniques than they had been in the past. She said the students will become “virus hunters” and will look for bacterial viruses, otherwise known as bacteriophages, in soil samples. Once they isolate a virus and extract the DNA, HHMI will do the genome sequencing on the virus and students will subsequently piece together the genomic information. 

Dr. Connors stressed that the students will have ownership of the project throughout the 2016-2017 school year.   “They find the organisms.  They extract its DNA.  They figure out what the sequence looks like that makes that organism what it is,” she said. “It’s very experimental.  We don’t know what the results will be, so they are really digging and figuring it out for themselves and controlling it.”

HHMI provides support for the program by training faculty and conducting the genome sequencing. At the end of the project, one Dominican College student will be chosen to go to a national meeting to present the work of the group.  In addition, the class will become authors of an article in a peer-reviewed publication. 

Dr. Connors said the program will provide students with a good foundation. “All of biology is going the way of bioinformatics –putting together DNA pieces to better tell what an organism can and cannot do.”

 

February 10, 2016

Scholarship Program Supports Biology Students

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The 2015 BLISS Scholarship Winners, with their mentors. Pictured back row, left to right: Dr. Thom Nowak Albert Martinez, Kelly Murphy, Darian Fernandez and Dr. Bernadette Connors. Front row: Amanda Saab, Stephanie Denis, and Natalia Perez-Cervantes.

Six freshmen at Dominican College have been awarded up to $10,000 a year for four years as part of the new BLISS (Biology for Low Income Student Scholars) program. This scholarship program was made possible by a $592,688 grant Dominican College was awarded from the National Science Foundation (NSF) .

In addition to financial aid, the program assists these academically-talented biology students  by providing internships, research experiences, and field trips. The scholarship winners work closely with each other, faculty, and administrators to ensure their success in a biology career.

Bernadette Connors, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, said, “This program will help to draw those students who may have financial need, but who are very passionate about learning biology and about gaining an education in all the sciences with a liberal arts background.”

The students accepted this year in the scholarship program are: Stephanie Denis, Darian Fernandez, Albert Martinez, Kelly Murphy, Natalia Perez-Cervantes, and Amanda Saab. Next year, eight scholarships will be awarded.

Interested applicants should contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@duny.edu.

 

October 8, 2015

Dominican College Offers Microbiology Workshop for High School Students

biologyDominican College is offering a microbiology workshop for high school students on weekends. The workshop will be held on six consecutive Saturdays, beginning on October 24, 2015, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Students participating in the program will have the opportunity to perform original biological research while learning techniques in microbiology. The workshop series is open to any high school student who has completed their life science course and has achieved an 85% overall grade in their science and math courses combined. A total of 16 spots are available.

There is no charge for the workshop, which is being offered through a donation from Orange and Rockland Utilities.

Interested students, should complete and submit the form below.  The deadline to submit an application and a letter of recommendation is October 8, 2015.

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All applicants will be notified by October 15 if they are accepted into the workshop.

 

 

September 29, 2015

Dominican College Offers Microbiology Workshop for High School Students

biologyDominican College is offering a microbiology workshop for high school students on weekends. The workshop will be held on six consecutive Saturdays, beginning on October 24, 2015, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Students participating in the program will have the opportunity to perform original biological research while learning techniques in microbiology. The workshop series is open to any high school student who has completed their life science course and has achieved an 85% overall grade in their science and math courses combined. A total of 16 spots are available.

There is no charge for the workshop, which is being offered through a donation from Orange and Rockland Utilities.

Interested students, should complete and submit the form below.  The deadline to submit an application and a letter of recommendation is October 8, 2015.

Oops! We could not locate your form.

All applicants will be notified by October 15 if they are accepted into the workshop.

 

 

September 29, 2015

Dominican College awarded $592,688 grant by the National Science Foundation

Grant will be used to increase access to the Biological Sciences.NSF-920x918

 

Dominican College has been awarded $592,688 from the National Science Foundation to support scholarships for students in biological sciences.

The money comes from the NSF S-STEM (Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program. The program is intended to improve educational opportunities and support programs for academically talented students with financial need in an effort to boost the nation’s STEM workforce.

The award for the project, titled “Increasing Access to the Biological Sciences”, starts July 1, 2015 and ends June 20, 2020.

Bernadette J. Connors, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology, is the grant’s principal investigator. She said it will be used to provide scholarships for biology students. Students in the program will also be offered field trips and internships that enhance their education, along with opportunities to present research at national conferences.

“Dominican College is pleased to receive this grant,” said Sr. Kathleen Sullivan, O.P, Chancellor. “Along with the recognition by NSF of the rigor of our Biology program, we appreciate the commitment of the faculty to the advancement of STEM fields and the success of students in these majors.”

The grant allows academically talented, financially challenged students to complete baccalaureate degrees in Biological Sciences at Dominican College, while also:

  • Providing a variety of resources proven to ensure student success and reduce attrition rates among STEM majors;
  • Fostering a partnership between the College, area high schools, and the region’s industrial sectors;
  • Expanding awareness of career opportunities in STEM fields among students, parents, and teachers;
  • Increasing the number of students who successfully complete their undergraduate degree in Biology in four years, and increase the number of students entering STEM fields;

The grant draws on the strong academic and social structures and activities available at the College. Students will be provided with opportunities for training to be laboratory mentors for high school students and participate in active research projects and internships with the College’s industrial partners. Various events and activities will create a learning community among the participants and the staff and faculty at Dominican College.

Dr. Connors said the College expects to choose the first cohort by fall 2015.

For information about applying for one of the scholarships offered under the grant please contact the Office of Admissions at 1(866)4DC-INFO or admissions@duny.edu

June 9, 2015

Dominican College awarded $592,688 grant by the National Science Foundation

Grant will be used to increase access to the Biological Sciences.NSF-920x918

 

Dominican College has been awarded $592,688 from the National Science Foundation to support scholarships for students in biological sciences.

The money comes from the NSF S-STEM (Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program. The program is intended to improve educational opportunities and support programs for academically talented students with financial need in an effort to boost the nation’s STEM workforce.

The award for the project, titled “Increasing Access to the Biological Sciences”, starts July 1, 2015 and ends June 20, 2020.

Bernadette J. Connors, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology, is the grant’s principal investigator. She said it will be used to provide scholarships for biology students. Students in the program will also be offered field trips and internships that enhance their education, along with opportunities to present research at national conferences.

“Dominican College is pleased to receive this grant,” said Sr. Kathleen Sullivan, O.P, Chancellor. “Along with the recognition by NSF of the rigor of our Biology program, we appreciate the commitment of the faculty to the advancement of STEM fields and the success of students in these majors.”

The grant allows academically talented, financially challenged students to complete baccalaureate degrees in Biological Sciences at Dominican College, while also:

  • Providing a variety of resources proven to ensure student success and reduce attrition rates among STEM majors;
  • Fostering a partnership between the College, area high schools, and the region’s industrial sectors;
  • Expanding awareness of career opportunities in STEM fields among students, parents, and teachers;
  • Increasing the number of students who successfully complete their undergraduate degree in Biology in four years, and increase the number of students entering STEM fields;

The grant draws on the strong academic and social structures and activities available at the College. Students will be provided with opportunities for training to be laboratory mentors for high school students and participate in active research projects and internships with the College’s industrial partners. Various events and activities will create a learning community among the participants and the staff and faculty at Dominican College.

Dr. Connors said the College expects to choose the first cohort by fall 2015.

For information about applying for one of the scholarships offered under the grant please contact the Office of Admissions at 1(866)4DC-INFO or admissions@duny.edu

June 9, 2015

Inaugural Liberal Arts Senior Scholars Presentation

Congratulations to the 30 Dominican College students who completed capstone projects and presented posters last Tuesday at the Inaugural Liberal Arts Senior Scholars Presentation.

These are students have mastered their disciplines and through their poster presentations, they showcased the skills and intellectual ability they acquired through their Liberal Arts education.

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April 24, 2015