HERBERT H. LEHMAN COLLEGE, CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK LOUIS STOKES ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION (LSAMP) LEHMAN COLLEGE CHAPTER ANNUAL REPORT

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1 HERBERT H. LEHMAN COLLEGE, CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK LOUIS STOKES ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION (LSAMP) LEHMAN COLLEGE CHAPTER ANNUAL REPORT LSAMP Steering Committee Chairperson: Dr. Stefan Becker Dean, Division of Natural and Social Sciences LSAMP Activity Coordinator: Mr. Uchenna Unachukwu LSAMP Activity Coordinator Supervisor: Dr. Ainsley Parkinson Introduction Time line of Key Events Table of Contents 2 NYC LSAMP Research Training Program Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarship & Mentorship 3 Key LSAMP Activities 4 LSAMP Statistics 5 LSAMP Scholar Forum

2 1. Introduction LSAMP Lehman College Chapter is pleased to announce the completion of a successful year. The year s events were spear-headed by the outgoing Steering Committee chairperson, Dr. Edward Jarroll, and activities organized by the LSAMP activity coordinator, Uchenna John Unachukwu. In the 2011/2012 academic year, the LSAMP program at Lehman College became more focused in recruiting undergraduate scholars bound for Masters and Doctoral study programs while limiting the number of LSAMP applicants bound for the Health professions, a huge percentage of current Lehman College undergraduates. As a result, there was a significant reduction in the number of LSAMP applicants, and successful applicants were better matched with the mentors. LSAMP scholars also amassed many awards and honors during the Lehman graduation ceremony, and actively participated in many conferences including the Lehman College Undergraduate Research and Scholarship day, the Urban University Conference Series, as well as internships at many international locations. Our scholars also won numerous awards and got accepted into prestigious graduate schools. There were also some changes in the membership of the LSAMP steering committee, where one faculty member and Chairperson for the Chemistry Department, Dr. Timothy Paget left the college and another faculty, Dr. St.John went on a sabbatical leave. A timeline of key events, LSAMP scholar acceptances and course graduation data, and scholar awards and honors. 1.1 Timeline of Key LSAMP Events and Activities Listed below is a timeline of the major events and activities that occurred through the year ending July 31, 2011 Table 1: Timeline of Key LSAMP Events and Activities Date Key Events November 2011 Spring LSAMP Scholar Recruitment Events Mailings to faculty and prospective LSAMP scholars Scholar and mentor database collection and organization December 2011 Spring LSAMP Scholar Recruitment Events Mailings to Academic Departments heads about LSAMP program NYC Alliance Activity Coordinators Meeting January 2012 Processing LSAMP scholar applications Planning for LSAMP steering committee meeting February 2012 Planning for the Urban University Conference 2012 March 2012 Summer Internship Opportunities Brochure compiled and distributed LSAMP Steering Committee Meeting April 2012 LSAMP Urban University Conference Series Processing applications for LSAMP Summer program

3 May 2012 Lehman Research and Scholarship Day Processing applications for LSAMP Summer program June 2012 LSAMP Summer Research Internship Program begins July 2012 LSAMP Summer Research Internship Program ends Fall LSAMP scholar recruitments events 2. NYC LSAMP Research Training Program Undergraduate and Graduate Research Experience Program Fall 11/Spring 12 Session A. Undergraduate Research Assistantship: Three (3) new undergraduate applicants were funded for the Fall 11-Spring 12 session, two of which were transition initiative participants (TIP). Nine (9) LSAMP scholar awards were also renewed for funding for this academic session. The scholars hailed from different disciplines ranging from the Biology to Physics and computer science. A listing of all scholars funded by the program for the Fall 11/Spring 12 session is provided below. Table 2: Table showing accepted undergraduates for Fall 11/Spring 12 session. First Last Department Status Mentor Marvin Bennett Biology Returning Scholar Liesl Jones Valencia Brooks Biology Returning Scholar Timothy Paget Racine Brown Chemistry Returning Scholar Edward Jarroll Raul Carranza Physics/Astronomy Returning Scholar Christopher Gerry Efrain Colon Computer Science New Acceptance Katherine St. John Lexsy Davy Chemistry Returning Scholar Edward Jarroll Charity Obeney Biology Returning Scholar Timothy Paget Deborah Otun Chemistry Returning Scholar Naphtali O Connor Victoria Poku Biology Returning Scholar Naphtali O Connor Shadrack (TIP) Dugbatey Chemistry New Acceptance Andrei Jitianu Nenita (TIP) Russell Psychology New Acceptance Keith Happaney B. Graduates Research Assistantship (Fall 11/Spring 12): Graduate research internship programs offered by the LSAMP at Lehman College consist of the Bridge to Doctorate program and the Graduate Research Assistantship Program. For the Fall 11/Spring 12 session, there were three (3) new graduate applicants accepted for LSAMP scholarship: Two (2) applicants were accepted into the Graduate Research Assistantship program while the third student was accepted into the prestigious Bridge to doctorate program.

4 First Last Department Status Mentor David Espinal Biology New Acceptance Haiping Cheng Michael Tavarez Biology New Bridge Scholar Renuka Sankaran Karachi Igwe Biochemistry New Acceptance Timothy Paget Clyde (TIP) Lewis Math./Computer Returning Scholar Claude Brathwaite Sc. Spring 12/Fall 12 Session A. Undergraduate Research Assistantship: Five (5) new undergraduate applicants were accepted into the LSAMP program for the Spring 12/Fall 12 session along with four (4) returning scholars whose funding awards were renewed. A complete listing of all accepted scholars is provided in the table below. Some STEM faculty, new to mentoring LSAMP students participated in scholar recruitment activities, notably Dr. Joseph Rachlin. Veteran faculty that consistently work with LSAMP undergraduates, and are worthy of mention, include Drs. Happaney and Jitianu. Table 3: Table showing accepted undergraduates for Spring 12/Fall 12 session First Last Department Status Mentor Asmerom Selamawit Psychology New acceptance Keith Happaney Juan Castillo Math & Computer Sci. Returning Scholar Katherine St. John Francisco Larizabeth Chemistry New Acceptance Andrei Jitianu Geoamir Lachappelle Psychology New Acceptance Keith Happaney Jason Mighty Biology Returning Scholar Stephen Redenti Shadrack (TIP) Dugbatey Chemistry Returning Scholar Andrei Jitianu Kevaughn (TIP) Gordon Math & Computer Sci New acceptance Katherine St. John Yasmiri (TIP) Polanco Biology New Acceptance Joseph Rachlin Nenita (TIP) Russell Psychology Returning Scholar Keith Happaney B. Graduates (Spring 12/Fall 12) First Last Department Status Mentor Joseph Mitch Math/Comp.Science New acceptance Robert Schneiderman Summer Session 2012 Six (6) students were funded for the summer session through the LSAMP program. Among those funded were four (4) new applicants. A complete listing of all accepted scholars is provided below. Lehman LSAMP scholars also participated in non-lsamp sponsored summer research programs and some traveled to distant locations for their internship experiences notably the United Kingdom and Jamaica

5 Table 4. Table showing LSAMP-sponsored Summer Research Scholars and their mentors First Last Department Status Mentor Joseph Mitch Math/Comp.Science New acceptance Robert Schneiderman Yasmiri Polanco Biology Returning Scholar Joseph Rachlin Table 5. Table showing notable LSAMP Sponsored International Summer Research Internships First Last Department Status Country/Place for Research Marvin Bennett Biology Returning Scholar Valencia Brooks Biology Returning Scholar Francisco Larizabeth Chemistry Returning Scholar Jason Mighty Biology Returning Scholar LSAMP Scholar graduation Cartagena, Columbia Ecuador, South America Ecuador, South America University of Maastricht, Netherlands Lehman College celebrated a landmark 44 th commencement ceremony on May 31st, 2012, marking the 80 th year of the historic campus. A total of sixteen (16) undergraduates and two (2) graduate scholars walked down the aisle at the end of the spring semester of the year under review and most of them did it with departmental and college honors as well as scholarships and prizes, while belonging to prestigious societies on campus. Graduated Lehman scholars got accepted into prestigious graduate schools including Albert Einstein Medical College. A listing of the graduated scholars and their accomplishments is provided in brief below. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL GRADUATES!! Table 6: Table showing graduated LSAMP scholars January/May/September 2012 First Last Department Graduation Year Mentor Lexsy Davy Biology May 2012 Dr. Edward Jarroll Graduation Honors Summa Cum Laude, Golden Key, Departmental Honors (Biological Sciences), Biology Departmental Award

6 Juan Castillo Math & Computer Science May 2012 Dr. Katherine St. John Doreen Aboagye Chemistry May 2012 Dr. Andrei Jitianu Roger Arhin Chemistry May 2012 Dr. Thomas Young Racine Brown Chemistry May 2012 Dr. Edward Jarroll Kelechi Ndukwe Biology May 2012 Dr. Stephen Redenti Geoamir Lachapelle Psychology May 2012 Dr. Keith Happaney Emmanuel Obeney Chemistry May 2012 Dr. Lopez- Quinones Adan Santana Chemistry September 2012 Raul Carranza Physics/ Astronomy Efrain Colon Math/Comp. Science September 2012 September 2012 Dr. Naphthali O Connor Dr. Christopher Gerry Dr. Katherine St. John Nenita Russell Psychology September 2012 Dr. Keith Happaney Jason Mighty Biology May 2012 Dr. Stephen Redenti Deborah Otun Chemistry May 2012 Dr. Naphthali O Connor Summa Cum Laude, Departmental Honors (Computer Science) Magna Cum Laude, Departmental Honors (Chemistry), Arthur Sweeney, Jr Scholarship Award, Golden Key Magna Cum Laude, Departmental Honors (Chemistry), Golden Key Magna Cum Laude, St. George s Scholarship, the CRC Award for Excellence in Chemistry Magna Cum Laude Lehman scholars program, Phi Beta Kappa Chi, Departmental Honors (Biological Sciences), Biology Departmental Award, St. George s scholarship, Golden Key Magna Cum Laude, Psi Chi International Honor Society on Psychology, Departmental Honors (Psychology) Magna Cum Laude, Golden Key, Departmental Honors (Anthropology/Biology/Chemistry), St. George s scholarship Summa Cum Laude Cum Laude, Lehman Scholars Program Cum Laude Psi Chi International Honor Society on Psychology Golden Key Departmental Honors (Anthro./Bio./Chem.) Alan Caceres Math/Comp. May 2012 Dr. Departmental Honors

7 Joseph Science Katherine St. John Samantha Daley Math/Comp. May 2012 Dr. Science Katherine St. John David Ajasin Biology May 2012 Dr. Haiping Clyde Lewis Math/Comp. Science May 2012 Cheng Dr. Claude Brathwaite (Computer Science) Departmental Honors (Mathematics) M.A. (Biology) M.A. (Computer Science) Outstanding STEM Faculty Mentors The Lehman College Community recognized three (3) LSAMP Faculty mentors for their excellence in service and their awards are described below: 1) Professor Joseph Rachlin, Interim Provost Professor, Biology; Director, LaMER Award: Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Works Current Mentee: Yasmiri Polanco 2) Dr. Andrei Jitianu Assistant Professor, Chemistry Award: New Investigator Research Excellence Current Mentee: Larizabeth Francisco 3) Dr. Keith Happaney Assistant Professor, Psychology Award: Excellence in Teaching Current Mentee: Selamawit Asmerom

8 3. Key LSAMP Activities A) Urban University Conference (UUC) Series UUC 2012 was held at five different venues categorized by five major STEM sub-disciplines Nanotechnology, Engineering, Biology, Mathematics and Chemistry from March 26 th to May 5 th, Lehman LSAMP scholars and faculty were actively involved in the event and gave presentations and logistical support. A total of 15 scholars gave poster presentations at the conference and notable mentor, Dr. Katherine St. John was on hand to support our scholars. B) Lehman Annual Scholarship and Research Day Lehman Scholarship and Research Day was held on May 3 rd, 2012 and its organization was spearheaded by LSAMP faculty Vincent Prohaska and the Psychology Psi Chi International Honor Society. The event which took place at the Lovinger Theatre showcased research by LSAMP scholars and non-lsamp students at Lehman College. Lehman LSAMP chapter was well represented at the event with scholars such as Marvin Bennett, Larizabeth Francisco, Shadrack Dugbatey, and Yasmiri Polanco among others, presenting their posters at the conference.

9 4) LSAMP STATISTICS Figure 1: Graph showing trends in LSAMP undergraduate applications (Fall/Spring) Trends in LSAMP undergraduate applications (Fall/Spring) Number of Acceptances Fall '08 Spring '09 Spring '10 Fall '10 Spring '11 Fall '11 Sprng '12 Semester Total No. of undergrad acceptances Total No. of Graduate acceptances New acceptances Figure 2: Graph showing trends in LSAMP undergraduate applications (Summer) Trends in undergraduate acceptances (Summer sessions) 6 Number of Acceptances Summer '08 Summer '09 Summer '10 Summer '11 Summer '12 Semester Total No. of undergrad acceptances New acceptances

10 Figure 3: Graph showing trends in LSAMP undergraduate/graduate stipend allocation (Fall/Spring) Stipend Amount ($) Trends in undergraduate stipend allocation (Fall/Spring) Session Figure 4: Graph showing trends in LSAMP undergraduate/graduate stipend allocation (Summer) Stipend Amount Trends in undergraduate stipend allocations (Summer Session) Summer '09 Summer '10 Summer '11 Summer '12 Semester

11 5. LSAMP Scholar Forum Notes from Scholars Larizbeth Francisco Undergraduate LSAMP Research Scholar Senior, Dept. of Chemistry Current Research Investigation - New Hybrid Organic Inorganic Structures For Hermetic Barrier Applications Larizbeth at The Middle of the World, Quito, Ecuador LSAMP Summer Internship Experience 2012 This summer I went to Ecuador, thanks to the LSAMP Program. I worked with students at the University of San Francisco de Quito. Alongside some of the students there I was able to collect water samples and treat tanning industry residual waters to rid them of suspending solids, hydrogen sulfide, and chromium. I was also able to learn new methods, one of them being the determination of chemical oxygen demand of a sample by measuring the absorbance of the reduction of potassium dichromate in a solution with our sample, sulfuric acid, distilled water, H₂SO₄, and AgNO₃. I not only got to work in the lab and field, but I got to experience Ecuador from a tourist s perspective. I hiked up the Rucu Pichincha Volcano, visited Baños and the city s various waterfalls, went to the beach and saw humpback whales, went to a reggeaton concert, and visited the historical part of Quito. I was also fortunate enough to be housed with a host family who was friendly and accepted me into their home with open arms, they were the ones who helped me through the whole summer, and I still keep in contact with them through Facebook. To sum it up I had an eventful time in Ecuador and it was a learning experience.