New York Tech student researchers were able to present their research at this year’s 57th Annual Metropolitan Association of College and University Biologists (MACUB) Conference in early November. This conference took place at the Bronx Community College Northern Library and Hall. Daniel Galvin Gusmano, David Mushiyev, Beste Tatlican, Jarin Tasnim, Maryam Iqbal, Aminah Sarowar, David Schiller and Stevin Thomas attended and presented posters of current projects. In addition, Dr. William Letsou, Dr. Bryan Gibb, and Dr. Jacqueline Keighron from the Biological and Chemical Sciences Department at NYIT attended the MACUB conference as mentors. It gave students from various schools the opportunity to present their research in various fields and learn about the experiences of other researchers.

At the start of the event, there were two keynote speakers, Dr. Neal Philip and Lecturer Paramita Sen, who discussed their work in the research topic of air pollution in India. Their goals were to collect data about the air pollutants in India and use that information to help the people that live there. With more information about air pollution, more can be done to reduce this issue and the impacts that it causes on the world.

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The students presented their work after this presentation in a poster format. The research from the groups of students were organized such that each room had a different research topic presented. There were 6 research categories: Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Biotechnology; Developmental Biology and Genetics; Environmental Biology and Ecology; Microbiology and Immunology; Physiology and Neuroscience; and Clinical research. Each student group set up their poster presentations ahead of the presentation time period. The mentors of the students also attended this event and were selected as the judges for the poster presentations. Each poster was judged by three mentors. These presentations gave students the opportunity to demonstrate their research and presentational skills. Once the required number of judges assessed the presentation, the students could either present to other students attending the conference or view poster presentations. There were also other presentations from faculty and biotech companies.

 

After the poster presentations, another keynote speaker, Dr. Chris Guevera, presented their career path in the field of research. The hardships and success that he faced presented students with inspiration to strive for innovation in the sciences and technology. 

At the end of the event, awards were handed out with Aminah Sarowar and David Schiller winning first place in the Microbiology and Immunology Division. Afterwards, a closing statement was presented by Dr. Raffaella Diotti who thanked everyone for coming to the MACUB Conference and asked us to return next year to the annual MACUB event. It was a memorable day for all that participated.