McNair, CSTEP Students Participate in Research, Internships
Eighteen St. Lawrence University Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program and Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) scholars conducted research or participated in internships on campus this summer.
McNair and CSTEP scholars completed faculty-mentored research projects, developed oral and poster presentations and prepared for the graduate school admissions application process. Throughout the summer, scholars attended Community of Graduate Scholars seminars, where they developed their writing skills, worked with faculty and staff on graduate school application documents, and learned how to navigate the graduate school interview process.
McNair Scholars began the summer with the Murray State University’s Graduate School Preparation Camp at Lake Barkley State Park in Cadiz, Kentucky. At the four-day camp, students participated in workshops with graduate school admissions expert Donald Asher, doctoral program recruiters from Vanderbilt University and Indiana University, and McNair staff from across the nation. Students learned about the structure of doctoral programs, discovered ways to manage the graduate school application process, and gained valuable insight into graduate funding opportunities.
In July, Scholars from both programs were joined by their peers from Clarkson University for a two-day NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program workshop. CSTEP students also hosted a group of high school STEP students from Union College for a two-day campus visit, touring St. Lawrence’s campus and getting introduced to college life. Several of the students presented their summer research as part of the visit, and scholars from both CSTEP and McNair facilitated an evening leadership development session.
Student scholars concluded their summer program by attending the University of Buffalo Graduate School Opportunities Fair and Undergraduate Research Conference in Niagara Falls, New York. Each student presented their research in both poster and oral presentation format.
The McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded TRIO program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. It is named in honor of Ronald E. McNair, a pioneer African American astronaut who died in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. The McNair program is designed to motivate and support students who are underrepresented in graduate education, who meet economic eligibility requirements and who may be the first in their families to attend college. The program is also meant to increase attainment of doctoral degrees by students from underrepresented groups.
The Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) is a New York State program designed for residents who belong to groups historically underrepresented in scientific, technical, health-related, or licensed professions or who are economically disadvantaged, and demonstrate interest in, and potential for, a CSTEP-targeted profession.
McNair Researchers
Thomas Bedard ’17
Research: Determining an Optimal Nanoceria Stabilization Method for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Mentor: Joe Erlichman
Rebecca Briggs '17
Research: Effects of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles on Timing in the Valproic Acid Rat Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Mentor: Adam Fox
Sylvie Choiniere '16
Research: Effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles on macrophage fungicidal activity
Mentor: Karin Heckman
Nyima Dejesus '16
Research: Is Albania Lagging?: A Comparative Analysis of Success in the Balkan Peninsula
Mentor: Marsha Sawyer
Michelle Duran '17
Research: Indigenous Women, Borders, and Law Enforcement
Mentor: John Collins
Marina Hanna '17
Research: Effects of Thyroid Hormone and Dexamethasone on Thymus Development During Xenopus laevis Metamorphosis
Mentor: Alexander M. Schreiber
Dominique James '17
Research: Effects of different formulations of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles in a mouse model of Multiple Sclerosis
Mentor: Karin Heckman
Skyler Ng '16
Research: Honeypot: Inviting Attackers
Mentor: Ed Harcourt
Dakota Noyes '16
Research: Takfiri Doctrine, and Violence: Dabiq and ISIS’ Recruitment of Foreign Fighters
Mentor: Howard Eissenstat
Autumn Rolack '17
Research: Biofilm Formation by Tetracycline Resistant Soil Bacteria in the Presence and Absence of Tetracycline
Mentor: Lorraine Olendzenski
Depika Singha '16
Research: Response Sequence Learning in Two Models of ADHD
Mentor: Adam Fox
Sarah Yancey '16
Research: Does Using Character Strengths Help Improve Diet Behaviors?
Mentor: Cheryl P. Stuntz
Alimot Yusuff '16
Research: Ancient Ife’s Animal Sculptures and Motifs in a Socio-Political Context
Mentor: Chandreyi Basu
CSTEP Researchers
Raisul Bhuiyan '16
Research: A Review of U.S. State Entertainment Laws Regulating Child Performers: Should State Courts Oversee the Contracts of Child Performers?
Mentor: Josh Exoo
Katelyn LaRose '16
Research: The Effectiveness of Magnetic Therapy Blankets on Horses and the Opinions of the General Horse Owner/Rider Population in Northern New York
Mentor: Erika Barthelmess
Tana Morgan '16
Research: The 'Herstory' of Lost Bird: The Last Victim of Wounded Knee
Mentor: Damon Berry
CSTEP Internship
James Holley-Grisham '17
Internship: St. Lawrence University HEOP Summer Program: Math Teaching Assistantship
Mentor: Maegan Bos
