csi undergraduate conference on research, scholarship ... - CSI Today

Research Poster PresentationsUndergraduate Conference on Research, Scholarship, and PerformanceAlumni—Where Are They Now?Arthur J. Merola, DPM received his Bachelorof Science degree in Biology in 1985. As an<strong>undergraduate</strong> he engaged in research under thetutelage of Prof. Leonard Ciaccio. He graduatedfrom the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in1991, receiving a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine,and served two years as a resident, and then chiefresident in podiatric medicine. Dr. Merola is boardcertified in Podiatric Medicine. Currently hemaintains private practices in Manhattan and StatenIsland, and is a consultant in Podiatry for UnitedCerebral Palsy Associates NYS. In addition to these,he is currently associated with the College of StatenIsland Alumni Association where he serves on theExecutive Committee as First Vice President.Jonathan Blaize graduated from CSI in 2005with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and in2007 he earned his Master’s degree in Biology.Jonathan is currently a PhD candidate in Biology atCSI through the CUNY Graduate Center, studyingNeuroscience. He expects to be awarded his PhDdegree in January 2012. Jonathan is researchingdiseases of the retina under the supervision of CSIProfessor Dr. William L’Amoreaux. In addition, heserves as the Activities Coordinator at CSI forLSAMP (Louis Stokes Alliance for MinorityParticipation in the Sciences).Marjorie J. Hill, PhD received her Associate’sdegree in Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1975 and wasa member of the SEEK (Search for Education,Elevation, and Knowledge) program while a student.She received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in1977 and her PhD in Clinical Psychology in 1981,both from Adelphi University. Dr. Hill is a licensedClinical Psychologist and CEO of the WashingtonDC-based Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the nation’soldest AIDS service organization. Dr. Hill isconsidered to be an expert who lectures andconsults on issues of cultural diversity, HIV/AIDS incommunities of color, and homophobia.Mario H. Perez received his Bachelor’s degreein biology from CSI in 2005 and is in his last year asa PhD candidate in Biological Sciences at FloridaInternational University. He specializes in vectorbiology and his research focuses on the potentialeffects of pollution and urbanization on populationsof disease-carrying mosquitoes at the molecular andgenetic levels. Mario has been accepted forpostdoctoral research in vector biology at TheNational Institutes of Health (NIH). In 2003, while aCSI <strong>undergraduate</strong>, he was awarded the Excellencein Research Department of Biology Faculty Awardand was the recipient of the UndergraduateResearch Conference Award that same year. Mariocredits CSI Professor Dr. William Wallace and retiredCSI Professor Dr. Albert Burchsted for theirinspiration and guidance in field biology.Edward E. Brown received his Bachelor’sdegree in Music from CSI in 1976. He went on toreceive two Master’s degrees in Music History andMusic Education from Hunter College. He is anadjunct music instructor at both CSI and WagnerCollege and leads the CSI Guitar Ensemble.Kelly Lavano, PhD received her Bachelors’degree in Biology from CSI in 2003 and her PhD inBiochemistry in 2009 from the CUNY GraduateCenter. Her areas of specialization include cancerand breast cancer. As an <strong>undergraduate</strong> at CSI, Kellywas involved in research with CSI Professor ProbalBanerjee and was the CSI Activities Coordinator forthe LSAMP program. She went on to be a NYCLouis Stokes Alliance Graduate ResearchExperience Program participant throughout herdoctoral studies. She presently is pursuing postdoctoralwork at the Albert Einstein School ofMedicine in breast cancer research.Eric Magaram is a 2005 graduate of the CSIHonors College and received his Bachelor’s degreein Mathematics. He received his Master’s degree inApplied Statistics from New Jersey Institute ofTechnology in 2007. As an Undergraduate ResearchConference participant, he presented TheSynchronization of Non-linear Oscillators underthe supervision of CSI Mathematics Professor CarloLancellotti. Eric has gone on to work as an adjunctinstructor in the CSI Mathematics Department,teaching 100- and 200-level Math courses. InSeptember 2010, he was appointed to a full-timetenure-track position in the MathematicsDepartment at SUNY Rockland CommunityCollege, specializing in arithmetic.Prashant Sharma, DO, received his Bachelor’sdegree from CSI in 2006, and is a graduate of theCUNY Honors College at CSI. He graduated fromthe New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in2010 and is currently interning at St. Vincent MercyMedical Center in Ohio. Starting in July 2011, hewill be an active duty Flight Surgeon in the UnitedStates Air Force. Currently, he is a Captain in the AirForce Reserves, which affords him excitingopportunities for his medical career.75