Moise Koffi, Lecturer, Mathematics
Codirector, STEP/CSTEP Program
I am thrilled to inform you that the sun has shined again over Hostos Community College! Our institution won 3 first place distinguished awards at the 27 Annual CSTEP Statewide student conference held April 12-14 at the Sagamore on Lake George New York. The conference was attended by over 600 participants including staff and undergraduates from 52 institutions of New York state. Here are the highlights of student presentation outcomes:
- Elayne Blancas received the first place award in the Physical Sciences category for her oral presentation of the topic:” Understanding Heat in Elephants Using Thermal Imaging Techniques. (Faculty mentor: Prof. Moise Koffi, Mathematics Department)
- Fatimata Kafando and Ndeye Bakhoum received the first place award in the Biology I category for their poster presentation of the topic: “Modulation of MicroRNAs by Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate in Cancer Biology: A Computational Study” (Faculty mentor: Prof. Yoel Rodriguez, Natural Sciences Department)
- Abdul Aziz Nignan and Dariel Arrechaga received the first place award in the Chemistry & Biochemistry category for their poster presentation of the topic: “Development of Small-Molecule Modulators of DREAM to Investigate Neurodegenerative Diseases ” (Faculty mentor: Prof. Yoel Rodriguez, Natural Sciences Department)
Other Hostos students who attended the conference were : Arafate Idohou, Escarle Beato, Raziel Benreuben, Ibrahima Doukoure, Javier Corro, Alexander Fajardo,Emilio Pena,Vanessa Pujols, Ceenu Shaji and Kingsley Odae among which all poster presenters received medals for participating in the poster competition, and Kingsley Odae who represented Hostos CC as our student ambassador.
First, I would like to thank Dean Cardona for spending the whole weekend with us and supporting our team. Special thanks to all faculty mentors, Prof. Alexander Vaninsky (Mathematics Department), Prof. Biao Jang, and Prof. Yoel Rodriguez (Natural Sciences Department) for taking time out of their busy schedule to mentor our students. Many thanks to our CSTEP staff for their hard work, dedication and their tremendous support in preparing students for the Statewide CSTEP conference.