The exchange wouldn’t work without them. Losing time means losing money.

What surprised her most was learning that software engineers in finance are not constantly building flashy new programs. Instead, much of their responsibility involves maintaining and improving existing systems. They must understand multiple programming languages and ensure that critical infrastructure runs efficiently and without interruption. For Paola, this shifted her perspective entirely.

You don’t always need to create new things. Sometimes you restore old things and make them more efficient.

I would like to be the change-maker. I hope to be a trailblazer.

Her courage stems from her upbringing. Paola’s family came to the United States from Colombia, and built their life from the ground up. She understands the feelings of not belonging, but instead of shrinking in those moments, she leaned in,

Anything I’ve wanted to do, I’ve done

For Paola, the message is clear: Stay curious, build connections, keep trying, and above all, remember that knowledge is power.

Master’s student Sadaf Fatima, who studies Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, took first place sharing the story of how a misdosed antibiotic caused her mother to lose her hearing at a young age. Sadaf emphasized that the antibiotics were necessary, but had a Narrow Therapeutic Index, meaning there is a fine margin between therapeutic benefit and toxicity. She hopes to continue educating others on patient advocacy and ensuring drugs are carefully dosed for maximum effect with minimal side effects.

Rachael Adimula, a senior Biology student, earned second place for her talk, highlighting the roles of neuroscience and psychology in academic success. She explained that negative self-talk combined with elevated cortisol levels can make studying more difficult, conversely a positive mindset can lead to greater academic success. She hopes students will stop doubting themselves before they even begin.

Third place was a tie between Alyssa Paragas, a freshman Biology student, and Noah Ramadan, a Master’s student studying Molecular Biology. Alyssa’s talk focused on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), using the story of former NFL player Mike Webster to illustrate its devastating effects. Noah shared how the venom of the Gila monster, a desert reptile, was used by Dr. John Eng to highlight the therapeutic potential of GLP-1, a treatment that is currently helping his own father. We thank all the participants for their courage in taking the stage, and look forward to seeing where their scientific journeys take them next.

The Science Slam is a reminder that great research deserves to be heard, and that the University is home to some exceptional voices. We can’t wait to see what next year’s competitors bring to the stage!

Andrew Gordon delivers the keynote address

Andrew Gordon, a former Pixar animator known for his work on major films and now founder of the AI storytelling company , delivered the keynote. Rather than a traditional research-based talk, Gordon guided students through the structure of storytelling while weaving in his own journey. His perspective offered the students insights on how skills developed over time can evolve into unexpected and impactful career paths. He also demonstrated how students can better communicate their work and position themselves in a competitive job market. Adding a dynamic visual element, Phil Bakelaar from the CCOM department sketched live illustrations that highlighted the core themes of the presentation.

The session culminated in the presentation of two student stories highlighting their paths into science. Working closely with Gordon, Kira Paul and Stephen Darko developed and recorded their narratives, which were then transformed into AI-animated stories and showcased during the summit. Their projects served as powerful examples of how personal experiences can be shaped into compelling and professional narratives.

Expanding on the importance of transferable skills, shared how data serves as a foundation across a wide range of careers, from scientific research to public-sector leadership. Her talk highlighted how skills often developed in technical courses like data analysis, interpretation, and critical thinking can directly shape community impact. For students, this provided a powerful reminder that their training has value far beyond a single career path.

Glen Ridge Mayor Deborah Mans

The summit’s focus on confidence and career readiness came into focus during the final session led by Gen Hinson and Koralee Grullon. This workshop challenged students to bring everything together by encouraging them to reflect on their experiences and begin shaping their own professional narratives. Whether preparing for interviews, graduate school, or networking opportunities, students were guided to think not just about what they’ve done, but how to communicate it in a way that resonates with employers and collaborators.

Participating students and judges posing for a group photo after the award ceremony

The 2nd Annual Building Skills for Success STEM Summit reflects an ongoing commitment by the College of Science and Mathematics to support students not only as scientists, but as emerging professionals. By intentionally integrating communication, data literacy, and career development into one cohesive experience, the college is helping students build the confidence and versatility needed to succeed, and to make a meaningful impact, wherever their paths lead.

�鶹��ý���� student teams demonstrated strong technical ability and collaboration, earning first place and third place among dozens of competing teams. This marks a significant improvement from the University’s fourth place finish at the same event in 2025, reflecting the continued growth of the university’s hands on cybersecurity education and experiential learning programs. The teams competed across challenges in network defense, forensic analysis, and web exploitation areas identified as critical skill gaps in the national cybersecurity workforce.

Student Teams and Placements

The Hawkers – First Place

• Samuel Reyes
• Edwin Benitez
• James Barrera
• ����������������������
• Temi Salami

CyberHawks – Third Place

• Dina Mansour
• Fernanda Castro
• Krishita Vaghani
• Tushar Moradiya
• Benita Prince

Multiple teams of students were organized, trained, and mentored by Ramy Othman, Assistant Director of Technology and Infrastructure in the College of Science and Mathematics. Othman prepared the students through hands-on workshops in applied cybersecurity techniques, including network traffic analysis, vulnerability assessment, and forensic investigation leveraging the university’s dedicated Cybersecurity and AI research labs, which he built and manages. These labs provide students with enterprise-grade computing and give them direct experience with the tools used in industry and government cybersecurity operations.

The university’s participation was coordinated in collaboration with the ISC2 New Jersey Chapter, with Darryl Carpenter helping facilitate the team’s engagement with the event.

“These shorebirds are important, but it’s just as important to know which areas need to be monitored and protected to support the horseshoe crabs,” Witters says. “If we lose the habitat and areas they use to breed and lay eggs, it will be hard to get that habitat back and keep the populations sustained.”

As a nationally recognized high-research university, �鶹��ý���� gives students early access to faculty-led projects, which allowed Witters to join a lab in her first year and keep building her research skills in one continuous five-year path.

That early start is built into �鶹��ý����’s academic model: �鶹��ý���� offers more combined programs than any other institution in New Jersey, giving students a head start on graduate study and careers. For Witters, that has meant not just upper-level science courses, but real ownership of a research question and presenting her findings at scientific conferences.

Read the full article on the University Press Room.

I was reminded how different my previous experience had been as a former music education major. Everyone knew each other’s names and worked side by side through rehearsals. There, I felt part of a community. In science education, it turns out, that’s rare. Without a shared environment that draws students together, STEM majors can easily feel isolated, a sense that erodes confidence and belonging. For those pursuing STEM teaching — or science, technology, engineering and math — isolation can push them from the field, or discourage them from ever entering it, exacerbating the staffing struggle in schools across the state.

New Jersey’s STEM teachers shortage follows a national trend. The number of math and science teachers in the state has declined by approximately 9%, according to the , which analyzed data from 2013-24. Teacher exits, particularly retirements and unexplained resignations, have increased in recent years, while the ratio of newly certified teachers to those leaving the profession has decreased. That means reduced student access to quality instruction in science, math and computer science.

That desire led him to biology so after leaving Northeastern, Matteo worked as a technician in a DNA sequencing lab, gaining real-world experience before returning to community college and ultimately transferring to �鶹��ý���� to pursue molecular biochemistry.

I love that you can study the fundamental mechanisms of life. You can zoom in to the molecular level and also see how those mechanisms affect entire systems.

Now working in Professor Eli Lee’s lab, Matteo studies protein condensates — dynamic, fluid structures formed when proteins separate from their surrounding solution, similar to oil separating from water. These condensates form through weak interactions between proteins, constantly assembling and disassembling.

His research asks a deceptively simple question: How does protein structure affect the properties of these condensates?

Understanding this process may help scientists uncover how cells transport membrane proteins and how lipid “rafts” may form around specific sites in the cell membrane. It’s a complex system — always in equilibrium, constantly shifting — and Matteo is fascinated by its elegance.

His work will take him far beyond campus. This year, he will present at the Biophysical Society Annual Meeting in San Francisco and at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology conference in Washington, D.C.

Looking ahead, Matteo plans to pursue a Ph.D., with long-term interests in origin-of-life research, exploring how chemistry first gave rise to living systems.

“I’ve worked in industry, and it’s great for building technical skills,” he says. “But I want to work toward big, long-term scientific questions.”

Last year, Matteo took first place at �鶹��ý����’s Science Slam — not by listing data points or presenting dense slides, but by telling a story.

Science Slam challenges students to communicate their science stories in an engaging, and accessible way. For Matteo, it was transformative.

“In lab reports, you just present the facts,” he says. “But Science Slam taught me that people understand stories better than lists of information. Science communication needs narrative.”

His winning presentation centered on a hummingbird that migrates from New Jersey to the Dominican Republic for the winter — a rare but real phenomenon. The story unfolded from the hummingbird’s perspective, guided across the ocean by a protein in its eyes that detects Earth’s magnetic field.

Matteo watching as his classmates give their slam presentations

Unable to see land but knowing exactly where to go, the bird eventually arrives in the Dominican Republic,  landing beside Matteo and his grandmother.

The metaphor mirrored his own visits to family from New Jersey to the Dominican Republic and connected deeply with audiences.

“Science isn’t just logic,” he reflects. “There’s an emotional component. We’re not just calculators. If you want people to care about science, you have to make it compelling.”

He credits the experience with strengthening his graduate school applications and helping him learn how to frame his research as a cohesive scientific narrative.

Having attended multiple institutions, Matteo says �鶹��ý���� stands out.

“It’s a place where opportunities feel within reach,” he says. “People know you. Professors and administrators are responsive. They advocate for you.”

He points especially to �鶹��ý����’s Summer Research Program, where students immerse themselves full-time in research, live on campus, and engage in professional development while presenting their work to peers.

“You’re doing research all day! It’s like a full-time job, but it’s so fun,” he says. “It’s a no-brainer opportunity.”

His advice to other students?

“Take every opportunity and see what sticks.”

Don’t Miss This Year’s Science Slam

Inspired by Matteo’s story? You can experience for yourself on Monday, February 23rd, from 3–5 p.m. Whether you’re a student considering competing, a future scientist refining your communication skills, or simply someone who loves a good story, Science Slam is your chance to see research come alive.

This event marked President Koppell’s first introduction to HOSA, and he was pleasantly surprised by the range of opportunities the organization provides not only to pre-med students but to all students interested in healthcare. Before leaving, he gave attendees an inspiring message about what it means to be a first-generation student pursuing a healthcare career at �鶹��ý����. The event had over 70 students in attendance, making it one of HOSA’s largest turnouts so far!

The club was then joined by our five panelist, Fatema (Physician Assistant), Jessie (Occupational Therapist), Katherine (Medical Student at Hackensack Meridian School and �鶹��ý���� Alumni), Jenna (Dental Student at Touro Medical School and MSU Alumni), and Faria (Medical Student at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine). Each panelist spoke about their journey to and through graduate school, sharing personal experiences, challenges, and the advice they wished they had known as undergraduates. Their insight offered students a realistic and motivating look into the healthcare field, sparking meaningful questions and conversations among attendees.

Afterwards, HOSA hosted an MCAT, DAT, and GRE giveaway for all members who attended. The organization awarded 10 MCAT prep bundles (each set included 7 books), 4 DAT prep books, and 4 GRE vocabulary flashcard sets, co-sponsored by the Pre-Medical & Pre-Health Program. Last but not least, attendees heard from Charlotte Cuss Bracchitta, Director of the Pre-Medical & Pre-Health Program, who explained the pre-health advising support offered on campus for all healthcare fields and shared that those who attended today will receive an advising session in addition to free MCAT, DAT, or GRE resources depending on their pathway. Therefore, guaranteeing that each student in attendance won free test prep resources!

From Left: Nour Shalash, Fahmida Murahed, Esteban Ocana, Chelsea Sanchez, Emily Arcos, Aleyna Uslu, PMP Director Charlotte Cuss Bracchitta

MCAT, DAT, and GRE giveaways, co-sponsored by the Pre-Medical & Pre-Health Program, along with several of HOSA’s medals from state competitions and our Standards of Excellence trophy, which was awarded to us in our first year and recognizes �鶹��ý���� HOSA as the most active collegiate organization in New Jersey.

The Health Occupations Students of America Club extends its deepest gratitude to all members, panelists, President Koppell, and the Pre-Medical & Pre-Health Program for their collaboration and support. HOSA looks forward to hosting more events in the future and returning even stronger next semester. Congratulations again to our giveaway winners, and thank you to everyone who attended!

Our E-Board and I have worked hard all semester to make sure this panel was successful. We wanted to make sure that we ended this semester off with a bang and pave the way for future opportunities similar to this.

Watch the Recap

The ERI scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student whose academic focus aligns with the mission of ERI in areas such as civil and environmental engineering, GIS, land use planning, and related fields. Scholarship winner is chosen through a competitive screening process that considers recommendation letters, a written essay, and academic performance.

Using complex geophysical analysis, machine learning and environmental risk assessment models, Shahnul’s study focuses on assessing the ecological and human health concerns associated with the toxicity of environmental heavy metals. His efforts enhance the stability and health of the urban environment.

The Scholarship Committee, Principals and Partners of Environmental Resolutions, Inc., had the opportunity to learn about Shahnul’s research and career goals at the formal award ceremony held at the ERI offices in South Jersey in August.