Science Symposium Celebrates 30th Anniversary

The symposium represents the best of the science programs offered at Purchase College with undergraduate students reporting on year-long research which they have conducted with members of the faculty.

Some 75 students gave presentations at the largest science meeting of its kind on the Purchase College campus.

This event is unique in that it allows undergraduate students to report on their research in the same way scientists at major research laboratories do at national conferences. Unlike a science fair, these are professional presentations. At larger research universities, students rarely have this opportunity. Because of its size, Purchase students regularly conduct original research for their senior thesis by working closely with faculty members either individually or in small groups.  Their results are the culmination of intensive original work. 

As part of their training Purchase students also have opportunities during the year to present their findings at national scientific meetings and also to publish their results in scientific journals.

The Symposium consists of concurrent sessions in anthropology, biology, chemistry, environmental studies, economics, math, computer science, political science, psychology, sociology and gender studies.

Students describe their research during 15 minute oral presentations followed by five minutes of questions from the audience. Other students participate in poster sessions, where they display their research results and are available for discussions about their research.

Highlights of this year’s topics include:

•  An Analysis of Air Quality in New York State by William D’ Angelo.
• Floating Identity: Cruise Tourism and the Making of Global Citizens by Kai Lord-Farmer.
•  Jihad Rap and Extremism: The Effects of Music on Attitudes Towards Islam by Allison Betus.
• We Shall Overcome: Stories of Institutionalized Racism & de facto Segregation in Mount Vernon by Alexis Betancourt.
•  Analysis of How Gender, Suicide, Terrorism, and Recruitment Affect Individual Responses to Terrorist Attacks by Lindsay Baker-Tornoe.
•  Comparison of Phospholipid Ratios of Rat Mammary Tumor and Human Prostrate Tumor Cells after Treatment  with Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty acids by Matthew Ward.
•  Distinguished alumni from the past 30 years will join the seniors and faculty members at this forum.
•  The Symposium is sponsored by: the Joseph & Sophia Abeles Foundation; John & Jeannette Ambroseo; BASF; Con Edison; Joshua Fink, MD; Ronen Marmur, MD; the National Science Foundation; Carl Safina; Purchase College CSTEP; Sigma XI; Catherine Ziegler; Friends of Natural & Social Sciences and numerous alumni.