Students Show Off Their Research

Students in Onondaga Community College's Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) and Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) programs spent their winter semester break doing research at SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), SUNY Upstate Medical University, and Syracuse University. When it was over, they created posters detailing their research. The students shared what they learned with the campus community during a symposium held February 1 in Coulter Hall.

Anna Johnson, a Laboratory Science major from Baldwinsville High School, spent a week at SUNY ESF. She worked with Dr. Jose Giner and graduate students as she studied the biochemistry and molecular biology of latex extracted from euphorbia loricata. "I thought the whole experience was really interesting," said Johnson. "There were a lot of graduate students there and it was a really good experience. Some of them were asking me questions! I liked doing research and think I will go to graduate school because of it."

Ike Unobagha, a Mathematics & Science major from Fayetteville-Manlius High School, did his research at Syracuse University under the leadership of Dr. Elizabeth Carter. He worked with the Climate Hazard and Research Team Syracuse (CHARTS) to learn how the construction of levees hurts socio-economically weaker areas and how it can be prevented. "The levees were built on the dollar cost average of the property and disadvantaged much lower income areas. We have to designate these areas using data from the United States Geological survey and NASA satellites, and classify these areas so we can see how they are impacted over time. The experience was incredibly valuable."

"Our 2nd annual uSURE (Science Undergraduate Research Experience) was a huge success," said Colleen Stevens, Director of CSTEP. "At the symposium you could feel the energy and excitement the students had about their science research. Between our hosting research sites and our sponsors, the whole program continues to be an amazing collaboration. We could not do it without our four-year partners. We thank them and everyone who came to support the students as they presented."

The students research was funded by the Technology Alliance of Central New York (TACNY), CSTEP, LSAMP, and OCC's School of Math, Science & Engineering.  A complete list of the students who participated, the subject of their research, and where they studied is below. Congratulations to all who participated!

• Samuel Campbell - Plant Biotechnology with Dr. Heather Coleman at Syracuse University
• Nick Chai - Risk Assessment of Climate Hazards with Dr. Elizabeth Carter at Syracuse University
• Jamiya Chandler- Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics with Dr. Angela Oliverio at Syracuse University
• Mohamad Chatila - Phytoremediation with Professor Lee Newman at SUNY ESF
• Marian Del Valle - Protein Homeostasis with Dr. Carlos Castaneda at Syracuse University
• Awa Diakite - Landscape Ecology Visualizations with Computer Modeling with Professor Aidan Ackerman at SUNY ESF
• Christopher Eschbacher - Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics with Dr. Angelia Oliverio at Syracuse University
• Alex Espitia-Casallas - Structure, Dynamics, and Functions of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins with Dr. Alaji Bah at SUNY Upstate Medical University
• Eli Hunt - Plant Biotechnology with Dr. Heather Coleman at Syracuse University

  

• Anna Johnson - Organic Chemistry of Natural Products with Dr. Jose Giner at SUNY ESF
• Salih Khaleel - Protein Homeostasis with Dr. Carlos Castaneda at Syracuse University
• Devin Mareno - Evolution of Species Interactions and Responses to Climate Change with Dr. Katie Becklin at Syracuse University
• Htwa Meh - C. elegans and Nature vs. Nurture with Dr. Sarah Hall at Syracuse University
• Dairyona Mitchell - Structure, Dynamics, and Function of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins with Dr. Alaji Bah at SUNY Upstate Medical University
• Mohammed Noor - C. elegans and Nature vs. Nurture with Dr. Sarah Hall at Syracuse University
• Elliott O'Connell - Atmospheric Chemistry of Air Pollution with Dr. Ted Dibble at SUNY ESF
• Chris Oley - Evolution of Species Interactions and Responses to Climate Change with Dr. Katie Becklin at Syracuse University
• Ike Unobagha - Risk Assessment of Climate Hazards with Dr. Elizabeth Carter at Syracuse University