Student/Faculty Research & Awards

Marcia Correa, '13, Biology, Honors, & Pat Martin Scholar (Dr. Eric Muller, Mentor)
Marcia was awarded the winner of Best Poster Presentation from a four-year college in the Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Biotechnology category at the 44th Annual Conference of the Metropolitan Association of Colleges and University Biologists held at Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ . Marcia attended the conference with her mentor, Dr. Eric Muller (Biology) and was awarded for her poster presentation titled, "Determination of Fus3p MAP Kinase Phosphorylation Sites in the Formin Bni1p During the Mating Response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae." Marcia is an Honors Student and a Pat Martin Scholar.

Alaura Imperioli '11, Jacqueline Volini '11, and Ashley Picarillo '11 (Dr. Eugene Wolfson, Mentor)
Under the direction of Gene Wolfson, a number of students attended the New York State Reading Association Annual Conference. The group presented a workshop on Digital Storytelling. Digital Storytelling is utilizing the computer and specific multimedia software to create and present fiction or nonfiction stories by teachers or students in all grades. The presentation addressed the concept of Digital Storytelling and the benefits of utilizing this strategy. The students also demonstrated how to create digital books using a PC or Mac and how to use digital storytelling in K-6 classroom.

Ashley Scully, '13, International Studies and French Major (Dr. Elena Procario-Foley, Mentor)
Ashley was awarded the Lipper Internship at the Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. As a Lipper Intern, she will be trained in teaching and presenting the Museum's permanent exhibition and the curriculum Meeting Hate with Humanity.

Erin Morgan, '13, Chemistry, Honors, Pat Martin Scholar (Dr. Sunghee Lee, Mentor)
Iona College junior Erin Morgan has been selected to receive the American Chemical Society's (ACS) 2012 Student Leadership Award. The award will be presented to Morgan at the 2012 ACS Leadership Institute to be held in Fort Worth, Texas, January 20-22. The award is made in recognition of emerging leaders in the ACS student chapter network and helps them prepare for leadership opportunities at volunteer organizations, such as ACS, and in their professional career. Erin, who is pursuing a major in chemistry, is in the Honors Program and is a Patrick Martin Scholar, and currently serves as President of the Iona Chemical Society. She is an active member of the research group directed by Professor Sunghee Lee, and recently presented her research at the Eastern Analytical Symposium for work on the topic of "Monitoring the Protein Integrity by Near Infrared Spectroscopy". This is the second time that an Iona Chemistry student has won this award. Loreta Geneviciute ('10, Chemistry), who is currently enrolled at NYU College of Dentistry, was a recipient in 2008. The award is a reflection of the dynamic leadership of the Iona Chemical Society under Erin, as well as the ACS's view of the growth potential for the Iona Chemical Society and the Chemistry Department.

Sophia Gil, '12, Speech Language Pathology & Audiology major
In November, Sophia was recognized in the ASHA Leader as the Minority Student Leader Award winner.

Ivelisse Izaguirre '12, Biology (Dr. Teresa D'Aversa, Mentor)
With the assistance of Dr. Teresa D'Aversa, Assistant Professor of Biology, Ivelisse presented a poster at the 44th Annual Conference of the Metropolitan Association of Colleges and University Biologists at Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ

Alexander Soderberg, '12; Erin Morgan, '13; Allison Moffat, '13; Jacqueline Robustelli, '14; Chemistry (Dr. Sunghee Lee, Mentor)
Professor Sunghee Lee (Chemistry) and four Iona Chemistry majors presented their research at the 50th Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS) on Nov. 14-17, held at Somerset, New Jersey. EAS is the world's leading community for analytical chemists. Three research posters were presented at this symposium; (1) "Monitoring the Structural Integrity of Soluble Proteins by NIR" by Alexander Soderberg and Erin Morgan; (2) "Measurement of Refractive Index and Temperature of Aqueous and Non-Aqueous Reagents and Solutions by NIR" by Allyson Moffat and Jaclyn Robustelli ; and (3) Development and Validation of an "FTNIR Method for Identification of Spectrally Similar Materials using a Hierarchial Approach" by Alexander Soderberg. The research is funded by the Bruker Optics Inc., which loaned state-of-the art science equipment called "Near Infrared (NIR) Spectrometer" to Dr. Lee's research group and her students. The students are also grateful to Mr. John Richmond, the Vice President of NIR & Process Technology of Bruker, and external collaborator and world leading NIR expert, Mr. Emil Ciurczak, and Ms. Cynthia Kradjel for support.

Kimberleigh Costanzo, '13, Philosophy Major & the Entire Mock Trial Team (Adam Detsky, Mentor)
Congratulations to Prof. Adam Detsky and the entire Iona Mock Trial Team for their accomplished results at the University of Pennsylvania Mock trial competition in November. During the competition, Kimberleigh Costanzo was honored as one of the top attorneys.

Faculty Publication & Research Notes

1. Dr. Jack Breslin, Mass Communications
Presented two papers at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Symposium on the 19th Century Press, the Civil War and Free Expression, November 10-12; "Politics and Private Lives: 19th Century Sensational Coverage of the Presidents" and "Naughty Seeds of Sensationalism: 19th Century Newspaper Coverage of Celebrities and Politicians.

2. Dr. George Bournoutian, History
Recently published the fifth edition of his Concise History of the Armenian People (5th edition). This book is a Turkish translation in Istanbul and was featured at the Istanbul Book Fair. There is currently a Spanish translation which will soon be featured at the Buenos Aires Book Fair. In addition, George recently published a Persian translation of The History of the Wars . Other upcoming articles soon to be published include one on the Armenian of Poland in the Journal of Byzantine Studies, a book review of the Irevan Khanlighi in the Journal Iran and the Caucasus.

3. Br. Robert Novak, Physics
Delivered a public lecture at the Irish Cultural Society's meeting on December 14th in the Garden City Library.

4. Dr. Sunghee Lee, Chemistry
Published a paper entitled, "Toward Polymorph Control in an Inorganic Crystal System by Templated Nucleation at a Microdroplet Liquid Interface: Potassium Hexacyanoferrate(II) Trihydrate," with two coauthors, Loreta Geneviciute '10, Chemistry, and Nick Florio '11, Chemistry, (Crystal Growth & Design, 11, 4440-4448, 2011). This study has provided valuable insight into polymorph control processes, which has implications in the design and development of pharmaceutical and other crystalline materials.

5. Dr. Anthony Kelso, Mass Communications
Published two articles, "Snakes and Snails and Mermaid Tails: Raising a Gender-Variant Son," in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America. "After 20 Years, I Want to See My Abusive Dad for His Money," in the Readings section, Part 3 of Wordsmith: A Guide to College Writing (5th edition, Pearson).

6. Dr. Tricia Mulligan, Political Science
Presented "International Organizations and Post Conflict Democracy: The Case of Liberia," at the Northeastern Political Science Association Annual Meeting in Philadelphia in November.

7. Dr. Marlene Zakierski, Education
Presented "Think-Alouds as a Reflective Tool," at the New York State Reading Association.

8. Dr. Natalie Redcross, Mass Communications
Presented "Incorporating Communications and Community-Based Learning into any College Course: An Interdisciplinary Approach," at the National Society of Experiential Education (NSEE) in Dallas and the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) in Jacksonville, FL.

Noteworthy

1. Dr. Kim Paffenroth, Religious Studies
Dr. Paffenroth was one of several experts featured in "Zombies: A Living History," on the History Channel.

2. A&S/LIRIC Faculty, Fall 2011
On behalf of Learning in Retirement at Iona College (LIRIC), thank you to the faculty from across the School of Arts and Science who delivered lectures as part of two of LIRIC's most popular fall series:

Contemplating the Naval: Historic Battles at Sea course:
Dr. James T. Carroll – The Battle of the Coral Sea
Dr. Michael Hughes – The Battle of Midway
Br. Gennaro Sullo – The Defeat of the Spanish Armada and the Battle of Lepanto

Friday Lecture Series: Ethics and Issues
Dr. Alex Eodice – Ethics in Philosophy and in Everyday Life
Dr. Paul O'Connell – Ethics in Policing
Dr. Cathryn Lavery – Ethics in the Prison/Corrections System
Dr. Eric Muller – Ethics in Biotechnology
Dr. Joshua Klein – Ethics in White Collar Crime
Dr. Jack Breslin – Ethics in the Media

3. Please note, the Psychology Department will soon be relocating from Walsh Hall to Doorley Hall. We look forward to seeing them in their new location in the new year.

Birth Announcements

1. Dr. Paul Greene, Psychology
Paul and his wife are now the proud grandparents of a beautiful baby boy, Jacob Barrett Greene. Congratulations to Paul and his family.

2. Dr. Aaron Rosenfeld, English
On Sunday, November 13, Aaron and his wife welcomed their second daughter, Naomi Bella. Naomi joins her older sister Molly!

Appointments & Service

1. Dr. Catherine O'Callaghan, Education & Dr. Orly Shachar, Mass Communications
Appointed to serve on the Integrity in Reporting Committee

2. Dr. James Stillwaggon, Education
Appointed to serve as Director of the Honors Program.

3. Dr. Scott Cleary, English & Honors; ; Dr. Sunghee Lee, Chemistry; Dr. Tricia Mulligan, Political Science; Dr. Robert Schiaffino, Computer Science.
Dr. Schiaffino was appointed to serve as Co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. Drs. Cleary, Lee, and Mulligan, were appointed to serve as A&S faculty representatives on Committee. Additional information on the SP Process & Committee available on-line.

Grants Corner

Grants and Funding for Iona faculty research is available from these and other organizations. If you are interested in pursuing support, please contact Daniel Konopka, Director of Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations at 914-633-2069 or visit Iona's Grants page on-line.

• HUD – Dept. of House and Urban Development Tenant Resource Network
  Program (TRN) Modifiation 2
  
• USDA – Dept. of Agriculture
  DM-Office of Advocacy and Outreach
  Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers
  Modification 4
  
• HHS-Dept. of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health
  Regional Comprehensive metabolomics Resource Cores (RCMRC)(U24) Grant
  
• HHS-Dept. of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health
  Palliative Care and End of Life in People Living with HIV/AIDS (R01) Grant
  
• HHS-Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Grant
  
• DOI-Dept. of the Interior
  Geological Survey
  Long Term Resource Monitoring Program FY 2012 Grant
  
• DOI-Dept. of the Interior
  National Park Service
  Project Adventure Education Program Grant
  

Item of Interest

Dr. Richard Arum, Iona College's 2011-2012, Rudin Driscoll Scholar
On October 28, Dr. Richard Arum delivered his lecture, "Learning in Unsettled Times" at Iona College. Dr. Arum has a joint appointment in the Department of Sociology & Steinhardt School of Education at New York University. He is also director of the Education Research Program of the Social Science Research Council and co-author of the critically acclaimed, Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses (University of Chicago Press, 2011).

Video of Dr. Arum's lecture is now available on-line:
Youtube
iTunes U

Rudin Fellowship

Upcoming Events & Reminders:

• December 8 @ 5:00pm - iPhone Projects Presentations, Murphy Center, Room 121
  Dr. Lubomir Ivanov is moderating presentations of the final projects in the iPhone App Development class. These projects promise to demonstrate the extent of our students' creativity and original thinking. Please encourage your students, especially in the lower level classes, to attend. This is a fun and exciting event for everyone.
• December 14 @ 2:30pm - Iona College Christmas Party in the Thomas J. Burke Lounge, Spellman Hall
• December 16 @ Noon - Fall semester grades
  Contact the CELTIC Offices with any questions you may have about entering grades or for assistance with the PeopleSoft System. They may be reached during business hours at 633-2146.
• December 16 - Fall 2012 Course Offerings
  Chairs should send to Mary Ellen Walsh
• January 3, 2012 - Spring term syllabi
  Chairs should send all department syllabi to Melissa Cruz
• January 9, 2012 from 9:00am to 6:30pm - Arrigoni In-person Registration
  Any student seeking assistance with registration or financial transactions on Tuesday, January 17th should visit the SFS office.
• On-going - Institutional Strategic Planning
  Thank you to everyone who attended the last two Strategic Planning Town Halls and provided feedback either on-line or in-person. The college's important five year strategic planning process is underway. All members of the community are encouraged to participate. Re-drafts of the College's Mission, Vision, and Values statements are posted on-line. Please read them and provide the committee with your comments. Please also watch for additional information on upcoming SP Town Halls, meetings, and other opportunities to provide feedback. The ISP web site is available here.
• On-going - Spring 2012 Book Orders
  Iona College Bookstore
  Phone 914-633-2356
  Bookstore Website
  Helpful for Ordering Books

Stay in Touch

Please send your announcements, events, etc. to Barbara Essick & Jeanne Zaino