Dyson Advisory Board member Charles Gombar ’74 gives the keynote presentation at the first annual Dyson Science Day.
Celebrating Science
On May 1, 2018, on the New York City campus, Dyson College hosted the first ever Dyson Science Day, an opportunity for science alumni to reconnect with faculty and fellow alumni and learn about the exciting research happening in Dyson College. More than 40 students presented their work, and many of their faculty mentors were in attendance, along with four retired science faculty members, Acting Dean Richard Schlesinger, and Pace University President Marvin Krislov. Dr. Charles Gombar ’74, Chemistry, deputy director, strategy and product development for the HIV program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and a member of the Dyson Advisory Board, delivered the keynote address.
One attendee, Wendy Ng ’75, Chemistry, was so inspired that along with her husband, she provided a financial gift to fund a summer 2018 student/faculty research project. “It was a fortuitous thing,” says Ng. “I think of it as paying it back. Research experience is especially important for students who stay in science.”
Dyson Supports Academic Collaboration
Each year, the Center for Undergraduate Research Experiences in Dyson College provides support and funding for the Undergraduate Student-Faculty Research Initiative Award, a 10-week summer immersion experience for students working with faculty mentors on research or artistic projects. The following eight pairs received awards for 2018:
❶ Julia Briganti ’19, Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications (Lubin), and Assistant Professor Brenda McManus for their research “Letterpress ABC’s.”
❷ Eric Casper ’19, Biology, and Professor Marcy Kelly for their research “The Influence of Cholesterol on Toxicity to GSH in Mycobacterium bovis-BCG.”
❸ Jillian Coughlin ’20, Biochemistry, and Professor JaimeLee Rizzo for their research “Synthesis and Investigation of New Antibacterial Surfaces Utilizing Agar, Natural Oils and Plant Powders.”
❹ Silvia Dominguez ’21, Peace and Justice Studies, Political Science, and Professor Meghana Nayak for their research “Gender Violence at Mexico’s Southern Border: Undocumented Migrants from Central America.”
❺ Kaltrina Mulosmani ’20, Biochemistry, and Associate Professor Rita Upmacis for their research “Novel Metal Complexes Containing Nitrogen Ligands.”
❻ Mollie Murtagh ’20, Film and Screen Studies, and Assistant Professor Colin Williamson for their research “Shirley in the Sun: Salvaging Women in the History of American Avant-Garde Cinema.”
❼ Suruj Singh ’21, Biology, and Assistant Professor Erika Crispo for their research “C. Virginica Influence on the nirS Gene Found in Denitrifying Bacteria.”
❽ Mikela Wesson ’19, Art, and Lecturer Jane Dickson for their research “Deep Conditioning to Self-Identity: A Portrait Study.”
