Researchers of the Month
Here are some of the graduating seniors we will miss. ...We wish them all well with
their future endeavors and pursuits!
May 2014
Safa Abdelhakim Major: Biology (Neuroscience) Research Mentor: Dr. William Collins, Neurobiology & Behavior
Connor Beierle Major: Mechanical engineering Research Mentor: Dr. Sotirios Mamalis, Mechanical Engineering
Adeel Butt Major: Electrical Engineering Research Mentor: Dr. Milutin Stanacevic, Electrical & Computer Eng.
Kevin Chavez Major: Biochemistry Research Mentor: Dr. Laurie Krug, Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Olivia Cheng Majors: Pharmacology, Cinema & Cultural Studies Research Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Boon, Chemistry
Thao Do Major: Mathematics Research Mentor: Dr. Radu Laza, Mathematics
Sam Kimmey Major: Biochemistry Research Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Martin,Biochemistry & Cell Biology
Akshat Puri Major: Physics Research Mentor: Dr. Meigan Aronson, Physics & BNL
Alejandra Romero Majors: Business Management, Political Science Research Mentor: Dr. Francoise Cromer, Women's Studies
Jameela Syed Majors: Linguistics, French Research Mentor: Dr. Richard Larson, Linguistics
Safa Abdelhakim is a Biology major with a concentration in Neuroscience. After graduating from high
school in Egypt, Safa enrolled in Stony Brook University and in her sophomore year
joined Dr. William Collin's research lab in the Neurobiology & Behavior department,
studying the pharmacology of Motor Neuron activation. She has presented her projects
in the URECA symposium for the past two years, and is writing her Biology honors thesis
on the role of persistent calcium and sodium currents in the activation of the External
Urethral Sphincter muscle. Safa has served as the president of Golden Key International
Honor Society and worked with Global Medical Brigades to help underdeveloped communities
in Panama; she also has served as a Teaching Assistant for Organic Chemistry and for
Organisms to Ecosystems. Safa is a recipient of the Chancellor's award for Academic
Excellence, and the 2014 Undergraduate Recognition Award for Academic Excellence. She
will be starting her medical studies at Stony Brook University Medical School in August
2014.
Connor Beierle (pictured left, with CEAS Senior Design team member Brian Streckenbach) is a Mechanical
Engineering major who has interned at both NASA Ames Research Center and NASA Glenn
Research Center where he worked on evolutionary spacecraft and tiltrotor technology.
He is a member of University Scholars, and is the recipient of the Chancellor’s Award
for Student Excellence, the Provost's Award for Academic Excellence, the Undergraduate
Recognition Award for Academic Excellence, and the CEAS Academic Excellence award
for Mechanical Engineering. Connor is also the captain of the men’s rugby team and
is the founder and president of the AIAA Student Chapter, Stony Brook’s first aerospace
club. His undergraduate research focused on characterizing and developing an all-electric
vehicle for New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority. Along with Dr. Sotirios
Mamalis, and the sponsorship of Unique Technical Services, the groundwork has been
laid to retrofit an existing fleet of hybrid diesel-electric buses into a new all-electric
fleet. Connor’s senior design project was featured at the URECA celebration and the
CEAS Senior Design symposium. Connor's senior design project, supervised by Dr. Jon
Longtin, involved developing an autonomous battery exchange station for an unmanned
aerial vehicle. After graduation, Connor will be heading to Palo Alto, California
to begin work as a rotorcraft scientist at NASA Ames Research Center before he begins
graduate studies this fall in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford
University.
Adeel Butt is an Electrical Engineering Major with a specialization in Microelectronics, who
came to Stony Brook after completing an A.S. degree at Suffolk County Community College.
He is a member of Tau Beta Pi Honor Society, Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) Honor Society, Golden
Key International Honor Society and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
(IEEE) society. In summer 2012, Adeel worked at Brookhaven National Laboratory where
he updated the operating system of a Linear Accelerator Timing System, and published
a paper. Adeel has more recently done research with Dr. Milutin Stanaćević at the
department of Electrical and Computer Engineering where he has developed an algorithm
to detect mind activity signals and used it to build a mind control robot. He has
published a paper titled “Implementation of Mind Control Robot” in IEEE Xplore and
presented at Long Island Systems, Applications and Technology Conference (LISAT 2014)
earlier this month. Adeel together with his Senior Design teammates has built a 3D
printer for his senior design project using additive Laminated Object Manufacturing
technology, and presented this project at the URECA annual celebration. Adeel is a
recipient of the Provost Award for Academic Excellence, the Undergraduate Recognition
Award for Academic Excellence, and a CEAS Academic Excellence in Electrical Engineering
Award. Adeel will be joining Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as a software Engineer
following graduation, and will also be doing a Masters in Electrical Engineering at
Stony Brook.
Kevin Chavez is a Biochemistry major who came to Stony Brook after completing an Associates degree
in Chemistry at Queensborough Community College. He is a MARC Fellow, an American
Chemical Society Scholar, and the recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Student
Excellence, the inaugural Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Merit Award as well as the
Provost Award for Student Excellence. Kevin has been a member of the research laboratory
of Dr. Laurie Krug in the Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology since 2012;
he investigates the role of cellular protein APOBEC3 in herpesvirus pathogenesis.
Kevin was been a second author on a publication in Virology titled: "Host Restriction of Murine Gamma herpes virus 68 replication by Human APOBEC3
Cytidine Deaminases but not Murine APOBEC3." Kevin has also participated in summer
programs, working with Dr. Trevor Sears at Brookhaven National Laboratory on the design
of an optical dual, laser, molecular spectroscopy set-up to study transient species
in order to facilitate evaluation of the absorbance and combustion of hydrocarbon
fuels; and at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ, Department of Pharmacology
where he worked under the direction of Dr. Victor Jin on the inhibition of breast
cancer cells by combining Imatinib mesylate with CSAA. In addition to URECA's poster
symposium, Kevin has presented at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority
Students in CA where he won best poster presentation award in Cancer Biology. Kevin
also is a Certified Emergency Technician for the Centereach Fire Department, an Academic
Associate Intern at the Emergency Department of Stony Brook University Hospital and
serves as a Spanish Translator for the Stony Brook School of Medicine HOME Clinic.
He also is involved in the CHOICE program (Choosing Health Options in a College Environment).
Following graduation, Kevin will be applying for M.D./Ph.D. programs where he hopes
to continue bridging medicine and research.
Olivia Cheng is a member of the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program, with a double
major in Pharmacology and Cinema & Cultural Studies. She first became involved in
research in fall 2011 in Dr. Ivan Chase's lab of the Sociology/Ecology and Evolution
departments, investigating the social hierarchy dynamics in African cichlids. In the
fall of 2012, Olivia joined Dr. Elizabeth Boon's lab in the Department of Chemistry.
Her senior thesis focuses on nitric oxide signaling pathways and quorum sensing in
bacteria models and her research was supported with URECA funding during summer 2013.
Olivia was Homecoming Queen in 2013, is the recipient of the 2013 Anne Sayre Award,
and has been active as Vice President of the Fencing Club, and Treasurer of the Premed
Society. In WISE, Olivia has also served as a SISTER Mentor, and worked with middle
school girls through WISE TechPREP. Olivia will be involved in developmental neurobiology
research this summer in Madrid, Spain through MHIRT, after which she will be returning
to pursue her M.D. at Stony Brook University School of Medicine.
Thao Do is a math major in the Honors College, currently working on her senior thesis in
algebraic geometry under the direction of Dr. Radu Laza. Thao has participated in
two Research Experience for Undergraduate programs, including an REU at the University
of Michigan (summer 2012), and REU SMALL at Williams College (summer 2013). Thao received
honorable mention recognition for the Alice T. Schafer prize in 2013; and has co-authored
4 papers involving topics in number theory and statistics. Thao has presented at numerous
conferences, including the AMS sectional meeting at Temple University, the Mid-Hudson
River Undergraduate Math Conference, the Virginia Tech Undergrad Math Competition,
Joint Math Meetings and the Garden State Undergraduate Math Conference. She received
Honorable mention in the 2012 and 2013 Putnam competitions, and was named best junior
by the Math Department. Thao is also the recipient of the Provost's award for Academic
Excellence, and the Math Department's Foundation Award for Excellence in Math. At
SB, Thao served as historian and event coordinator for the Vietnamese Students Association
and was Vice president of the Math Club from 2011-13. Thao will be entering a Ph.D
program in mathematics at MIT starting next Fall.
Sam Kimmey is a member of the University Scholars Program majoring in Biochemistry. He has been
a member of Dr. Ben Martin’s lab since August 2012, investigating the role of Fibroblast
Growth Factor signaling in late stages of zebrafish development. His research was
supported this past summer with the 2013 URECA-Biology AlumniResearch Award. He presented
a poster at the 2013 URECA symposium titled “Fibroblast Growth Factor signaling in
the tailbud progresses cells through Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition” and wrote
his Biochemistry honors thesis on this work. Sam also competed as a member of the
Stony Brook University Men’s Cross Country and Track programs his four years here,
and was a part of Stony Brook’s first America East Men’s Cross Country Conference
Championship team. Sam is the recipient of the 2013 Undergraduate Recognition Award
for Athletic Excellence, and the 2014 Provost’s Award for Academic Excellence. Sam
will be pursing a Ph.D. in Developmental Biology at Stanford University beginning
next fall.
Akshat Puri is an international student from India, double majoring in Physics and Mathematics.
In 2011, supported by the URECA Summer Program, Akshat conducted research in Professor
Thomas Hemmick’s laboratory and worked on the mechanical design of an ion source that
was to be used for carbon dating. In 2012, Akshat joined Dr. Meigan Aronson’s solid-state
laboratory at Brookhaven National Lab where he has been actively involved in research.
Akshat has been presenting his research at the URECA Symposium for three years running.
In 2014, he was awarded the URECA travel grant to go to the APS March Meeting to present
his work on the optimization and doping of iron pnictide LaFeSb2 single crystals.
He is a co-author of a paper (Electronic correlations in FeGa3 and the effect of hole
doping on its magnetic properties) that was recently accepted for publication in the
Physics journal, Physical Review B. In addition to conducting research, Akshat works
as a Physics tutor for the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He has been
inducted into theSigma Pi Sigma, as well as the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Societies and
will be going on to pursue a PhD in Physics at the University of Illinois – Urbana
Champaign.
Alejandra (Alex) Romero is a double major in Business Management and Political Science with a minor in Women’s
and Gender Studies. She decided to research the difficulties faced by undocumented
Latina students who want to pursue an undergraduate degree in the United States because
of all the different obstacles they must overcome created by the multiplicity of their
identities. Alex's research examines the ways undocumented Latina students can successfully
be accepted into and begin an undergraduate degree program in the United States. Throughout
her time at Stony Brook University, Alex has been highly involved as an Undergraduate
College Fellow, Resident Assistant in Tabler Quad, Student Assistant at the Center
for Prevention and Outreach, and a Human Resources Intern at the Career Center. She
participated in Study Abroad at Florence University of the Arts, Florence Italy; was
the 2013 recipient of the Student Life Award for Advocacy Leadership; and is a Student
Ambassador and member of the JFEW-SUNY Scholars Program in International Relations
and Global Affairs. Alex will attend the Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals
in the fall to pursue a Master’s in International Relations.
Jameela Syed is a member of University Scholars program, with majors in French and Linguistics
and a minor in International Studies. In her sophomore year, Jameela spent a semester
abroad at the Université Lumière Lyon 2. Jameela has been involved on campus as a
member of the University Scholars Council, an Orientation Leader, an English Conversation
Partner in the English Pal Program, and a member of the Weekend Life Council; additionally,
she is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and recently received the Provost's Award for Academic
Excellence. Jameela is currently working on a Senior Honors Project in Linguistics
under the direction of Professor Richard K. Larson, researching the dynamics between
swearing, censorship and First Amendment Jurisprudence, a project she presented at
URECA's Celebration. Recently awarded a 2014 Fulbright Scholarship, Jameela will be
working as an English Teaching Assistant in France starting this fall.
Below are excerpts of their conversations with Karen Kernan, URECA Director.
Interview excerpts
Karen. How has being involved in research shaped your experience of SB?
Sam. Getting involved in research gave me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people.
Putting yourself in an environment where you are surrounded by experts in varying
fields provides you with resources you may not have known to exist before. All of these
people created an amazing environment during my time here. The many relationships
I started through my research benefitted me in so many already and I know they will
continue to do so.
Adeel. Research has taught me more than anything I could get out of a classroom. Doing
research has helped me grow intellectually and personally. I got chance to have a
hands on experience on cutting edge technology and have developed great relationship
with my mentor and other professionals. Research made me discover my real interest
in the field of Electrical Engineering. I got to work on different projects and have
developed a Mind Control Robot. Recently I presented at Long Island Systems, Application
and Technology conference in Farmingdale. Research made me realize the true purpose
of my degree. For me my degree is not just about classes or exams; instead it’s about
innovation and invention.
Karen. Describe what you've learned from doing research, and why you enjoy it.
Thao. Doing math research is a lot of fun to me. Different from research in (other) science
fields, research in math does not require anything: no lab, no equipment. To solve
a math problem, I just need a pen and a notebook, then I can work on it anytime at
any place. I love the feeling of thinking so deeply about only one thing. I love the
feeling when I understand the problem, or see the connection between it and other
things. But of course the greatest joy is when the problem is solved.
Alex. One of the biggest things from doing research I learned is how to write concisely
and how to write effectively. Working with my faculty advisor Prof. Cromer has given
me the opportunity to be able to write academically; she helped me to re-write sections
in my paper and I was able to learn so much about how to write effectively. I found
that process to be incredibly useful. That’s something I’m going to continue using.
. .
Connor. The most important lesson I have learned is to never stop asking questions. I find
research adventurous, and that aspect is why I personally enjoy it so much. You get
to cut through uncharted territory, and partake in the advancement of a subject’s
understanding.
Karen. What advice about research do you have for other undergraduates?
Akshat. You shouldn't be afraid to approach professors and start research as soon as possible. No
one expects you to be an expert when you enter the lab. The professors are almost
always willing to take on new students, and all they require is a certain level of
enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
Jameela. I would advise students to get involved in research early on in their undergraduate
careers, and to not get discouraged if their research changes directions over time.
The work that I set out to do at the beginning of the year and the work that I ended
up with were very different, but I was ultimately satisfied with the final product.
Kevin. I agree - The earlier you get involved in a lab the better. Research takes time
as one has to learn all the protocols required for an experiment(s). Depending on
the nature of the research this could involve more than ten different protocols. Moreover,
every experiment is repeated numerous times to make sure that results are correct
and reproducible. Taken together starting earlier will give you more time to fully
understand all protocols and effortlessly reproduce your results. Finally, don't be
shy to approach or email professors. Most investigators want undergraduates and if
you show a genuine interest on their research and if there is a spot available they
will most likely accept you in their labs.
Olivia. I think it's important to remember – especially if you're just starting to do research – that at the end of the day, it's not the numbers you were or weren’t able to obtain but what you've gained from the experience that matter most. It’s easy to forget, when engulfed in procedures and protocols, the fundamental goal of research (besides discovering), which is learning and understanding, and I consider myself very fortunate to have a mentor who would remind me of this time and again. It's good to keep this in mind because experiments don't always run smoothly, but that shouldn't keep anyone from trying and learning each day.