Summer 2023

celebration of excellence event: friday, May 5, 2023

MARC, McNair Scholars, and University Honors programs came together for a second time since 2019 to celebrate the graduation of our scholars and welcome new ones. Held on the second floor hall of the Student Union, more than 100 participants were in attendance, including scholars and their proud family members, faculty mentors, program directors and staff. 

During the celebration, we commemorated the exceptional achievements of our graduating MARC scholars:

Samantha Macksey majored in Psychology and minored in Mathematical and Statistical Modeling. As of Fall 2023, Sam is a Ph.D. student in Human Development at University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Isaiah Thomas majored in Biology and minored in Mathematical and Statistical Modeling. As of Fall 2023, Isaiah is a Ph.D. student in the Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences at University of Chicago. 

Michele Ocana majored in Psychology and minored in Mathematical and Statistical Modeling. As of Fall 2023, Michelle is a Ph.D. student in the Cognitive Development Lab at New York University. 

Christian Torres majored in Biology and minored in Mathematical and Statistical Modeling. As of Fall 2023, Christian is a student in the Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program at University of California, Davis. 

Summer 2022

MARC SCHOLARS GRADUATE AND MOVE ON TO PRESTIGIOUS GRADUATE PROGRAMS

We're so happy and proud of our four graduating scholars this year and wish them all the very best in the future:

Rut Ortiz majored in Biochemistry and minored in Mathematical and Statistical Modeling. As of Fall 2022, Rut will pursue her graduate studies at Columbia University in the Pathology & Mechanisms of Disease Program.

Erica Belloso majored in Environmental Science and minored in Mathematical and Statistical Modeling. As of Fall 2022, Erica will be at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign pursuing a Ph.D. in Plant Biology.

Rogelio Alvarado majored in Biology and minored in Mathematical and Statistical Modeling. As of Fall 2022, Rogelio will be at the Northwestern University's Interdisciplinary Biological (IBiS) Graduate Program.

Christina Rouhotas majored in Biology and minored in Mathematical and Statistical Modeling. As of Fall 2022, Christina will be at Stanford University Sarafan ChEM-H/IMA Post-baccalaureate Program in Target Discovery.

March 1, 2022

MARC SCHOLARS WIN AWARDS AT the 2022 ILLINOIS LSAMP SYMPOSIUM

Two of our MARC scholars presented posters at the 2022 Illinois LSAMP Symposium: Samantha Macksey and Christian Torres. They both won first place for best poster presentations in their respective categories, Mathematics and Molecular Biology. The symposium was held at the Hilton Rosemont Chicago O’Hare on Feb. 25-26. We are so proud of them and the great presentations they gave. Please join us in congratulating Christian and Samantha!

November 14, 2021

2021 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students

All MARC scholars presented their research projects at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), held virtually Nov. 10-13. Christina Rouhotas (Biology) and Michele Ocana (Psychology) also won presentation awards in the disciplines of Developmental Biology & Genetics and Social & Behavioral Sciences, respectively. Congratulations to all!


October 1, 2021

Our scholars presented their summer research at the SCSE Research Symposium

The Student Center for Science Engagement (SCSE) 13th Annual Research Symposium on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, was once again virtual this year. Nevertheless, it featured 36 great research presentations from all STEM disciplines, including our very own MARC scholars. It has become now a tradition that our MARC Program partners with the SCSE to sponsor the symposium’s keynote address. This year’s keynote was by NEIU’s very own Dr. Samniqueka Halsey (B.Sc. 2011), now Assistant Professor, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. Dr. Halsey is also the recipient of this year’s NEIU’s Outstanding GOLD Alumni Award.


April 23, 2021

MARC Scholars present at the NEIU Student Symposium

MARC scholars presented their research at the 28th Annual NEIU Student Research and Creative Activities Symposium held virtually on April 22-23, 2021. Senior scholar, Vada Becker, won the award for best oral presentation in the Biology/Chemistry session while junior scholar, Erica Belloso, won the best poster presentation award in STEM. Congratulations to all our scholars!