Mercy Students Excel at Biology Conference

Fifteen Mercy University biology students showcased their research at the Metropolitan Association of College and University Biologists (MACUB) Conference, themed “Intersections between Biology and Chemistry: Conversations in Climate Change, Neurobiology, and Career Development.” The event took place on November 2, at Bronx Community College, where students presented a diverse range of research projects in the fields of computational chemistry, neuroscience, molecular biology and environmental biology.

“It was rewarding to see the students present their research after many weeks of dedicated work on their authentic research projects in biology and chemistry. The students were excited to share their findings with an outside audience and learn about the research of their peers at neighboring institutions,” said Dr. Renee Haskew-Layton, program director and associate professor of biology.

Mercy students collaborated with Westchester Community College (WCC) students and faculty under the mentorship of six Mercy biology and chemistry faculty: Dr. Devdutta Deb, assistant professor of biology, Dr. Tharushi Perera, assistant professor of chemistry, Dr. Robert Thompson, assistant professor of chemistry, Dr. Haskew-Layton, Dr. Anthony Canger, associate professor of biology and Dr. Robert Habig, associate professor of biology. 

Mercy students secured first and third place at the MACUB conference. Other student presenters from Mercy included Chidinma Echezona, Hirally Gonzalez, Donna Cochancela, with support provided by Dr. Haskew-Layton and lab technician Besani Espinal.

First Place: Physiology and Neuroscience Division

From left to right, Raffaella Diotti (MACUB conference organizer, BCC); Sara Tamayo (Mercy student); Leticia Ciufo (WCC student); Donna Cochancela (Mercy student); Hirraly Gonzalez (Mercy student); Chidinma Echezona (Mercy student)and Kathleen Nolan (MACUB conference organizer, St. Francis College). Their project was mentored by Dr. Renee Haskew-Layton, program director and associate professor and of biology.

Third Place: Developmental Biology and Genetics

From left to right, Raffaella Diotti (MACUB conference organizer, BCC); Mercy Aguilar (Mercy student); Christian Quintana (Mercy student) and Kathleen Nolan (MACUB conference organizer, St. Francis College). Their project was mentored by Dr. Anthony Canger, associate professor of biology.

“This recognition is a testament to Mercy University’s strong emphasis on research and collaboration in the STEM fields. Conferences like MACUB help students gain confidence for their future careers and gives them an opportunity to network with those in their major," said Mary Hegarty, MNRM, assistant program director of STEM Ready.

These efforts were largely funded by the STEM Ready grant through the Summer Research Institute. STEM Ready is a U.S. Department of Education HSI Title III grant-funded initiative designed to increase the number of Hispanic and low-income students attaining degrees in Biology, Psychology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Information Science or Cybersecurity, and to build a transfer pipeline between SUNY Westchester Community College (WCC) and Mercy University to provide students an effective and efficient path to STEM degrees at Mercy University.

Back row – from left to right, Leticia Ciufo (WCC student); Chidinma Echezona (Mercy student); Besani Espinal (Mercy research technician) and Donna Cochancela (Mercy student). Kneeling in front – from left to right, Renee Haskew-Layton (Mercy faculty) and Sara Tamayo (Mercy student).