The 22nd Annual School of Science Student Research Conference showcased 31 research projects by teams of students and their faculty mentors. The keynote address was delivered by Kevin Dillon ’15, Ph.D., a faculty member who participated in student research at Monmouth University and presented at the Student Research Conference in 2014. Sample project titles include: Microbial Community Composition Analysis In Coastal Lakes Of New Jersey As An Indicator Of Harmful Algal Bloom Formations; Unlocking Student Engagement: Exploring Autonomy, Competence, And Relatedness In The Stem Flipped Classrooms; A Machine Learning Approach To Mitigate Injuries In Collegiate Tennis Players; and Analyzing The Effectiveness Of Monmouth University’s Math Placement Exam. The full agenda and all abstracts can be found here.
The Film “Youth Unstoppable: My Decade in the Youth Climate Movement” (formerly “An Inconvenient Youth”) captures the vibrant untold story of the global youth climate movement. Decisions made today are shaping the world they will live in, and they are no longer willing to sit idly as the planet is degraded for the short term gain of the older generations. Director Slater Jewell-Kemker has been interviewing celebrities and politicians about the environment since the age of 10. Now, she is telling the stories of these remarkable young people on the front lines of climate change. The feature documentary also gives life to a thriving online community, already forming, that will continue as a youth focused environmental social network. This is the story of the youth of today fighting for their planet, their future. This event is free and open to the public.
There will be a post screening Q&A hosted by Professor Marina Vujnovic with special guest speaker Professor Catherine Duckett.
In 2023, fifteen percent of surveyed Americans did not think climate change was happening, and 28 percent responded that warming was not caused by human activities. 22 percent were doubtful or dismissive of climate change. Why is this when over, according to a 2021 survey of climate experts found that 98.7 percent of them said the climate is warming and humans are driving this global environmental change? Between confirmed climate experts who published 20 or more peer reviewed papers on climate change between 2015 and 2019, there was 100% agreement that the Earth is warming mostly because of human activity. At least part of this disconnect is because there has been a US-centered counter-movement organized to cast doubt on climate change science and climate scientists. This effort is organized by policy elites in conservative think tanks who have guided some of our narratives and these narratives have turned an elite-led counter-movement to one that is populist. This discussion will attend to the social science surrounding this climate change counter-movement (CCCM).
Peter Jacques, Ph.D., is the Rechnitz Family/Urban Coast Institute Endowed Chair in Marine & Environmental Law and Policy at Monmouth University and a member of the Climate Social Science Network which studies climate-related misinformation among other topics. More information on his climate denial research can be found in an interview with Monmouth Magazine.
This past Friday, Monmouth’s IEEE/ACM Club hosted the annual High School Hawk Hack. In only its second year post-pandemic, this event grew significantly to include over 50 students from 12 schools across the state.
More than a dozen IEEE/ACM club members organized, instructed and proctored the competition that has students compete in teams to solve a series of programming challenges. The results are then tallied by HackerRank, a platform with Computer Science problems, used by many employers to assess the coding skills of potential candidates.
Computer Science Professor Rolf Kamp, the IEEE/ACM club advisor, has been integral in creating this event that introduces high school students, interested in computer science, to a collegiate setting. Kamp states “It is clear the high school students, their teachers and club member thoroughly enjoyed the event. Hosting this event is an excellent opportunity to get students interested in Monmouth’s offerings”.
At the conclusion of the event, the members of each winning team received technology-based prizes.
The 2024 High School Hawk Hack winners:
First place – Middlesex High School
Second Place – Dwight-Englewood School
Third Place – Lakeland High School
The IEEE/ACM club and the Computer Science & Software Engineering department hope that this event continues to grow for high school students pursuing a career in technology.
The Climate Crisis Teach-In is Proud to present DRIFT, A film by Erin Fleming and Monmouth University Production Services in collaboration with Save Barnegat Bay
Tuesday, February 27, 7:00 | Pollak Theater.
Barnegat Bay is an estuary. A convergence of fresh water from rivers and creeks with salt water from the Atlantic. It is one of the most productive ecosystems in the country. It is the stage on which species play out life’s performance to reproduce, restore, relax. It is unrepeatable. This film speaks to the past 50 years of human activity on the bay and the concerns including climate change impacting the estuary. Varying issues voiced by scientific experts are embedded in stories designed to connect with all of the stakeholders on the bay; fishermen, boaters, hunters, tradesmen, and residents. The message is clear: we all must be unabated in our efforts to protect this natural wonder for ourselves, for wildlife, and for future generations. The trailer is available.
The film will be followed by a panel discussion with Erin Fleming Director, Monmouth University Production Services, Britta Forsberg, Executive Director of Save Barnegat Bay, Tom Herrington, Ph,D, Associate Director of the Urban Coast Institute at Monmouth University, and Pedram Daneshgar, Ph.D., Professor of Biology at Monmouth University.
Doug Tallamy’s presentation on January 23rd, 2024 was a strong start to the 2024 Climate Crisis Teach-In with more than 400 enthusiastic people attending the presentation.
Dr. Doug Tallamy photographed by Rob Cardillio
Doug outlined how regular citizens could impact both the ecological crisis and the climate crisis. There are more than 44 million acres of turf grass in the U.S. today, an area larger than New England. Turf grass is the worst plant choice for fighting climate change because it is the worst option for sequestering carbon. Our parks, preserves, and remaining wildlands are too small to sequester the amount of carbon needed to impact climate change. Moreover, they are also too small and separated from one another to sustain the native trees, plants, insects, and animals on which our ecosystems depend. These systems must be resilient if we are to have climate resiliency. We now must store carbon outside of parks and preserves, largely on private property, where we live, work, shop, and farm. Thus the concept for Homegrown National Park: a national challenge to create diverse ecosystems in our yards, communities, and surrounding lands by reducing lawn, planting native plants, and removing invasive plants, and, in so doing, fight the biodiversity crisis and climate change simultaneously. Doug introduced the concept of keystone plants, plants that support such a diversity of insects and other animals that they hold up large parts of a food web. Examples he gave were: Oaks, birches, native cherries, blueberries, goldenrod, native asters, black-eyed susan, Coreopsis.
Doug ended the presentation with the request that we each go out and plant a native and ecologically keystone tree this year and that we encourage our friends and neighbors to consider removing some lawn and adding native trees, shrubs and flowers in the space where the lawn was. In the question and answer period he outlined how creating soft landings for insects that eat leaves as larvae and need safe places to pupate in leaf litter under trees. Perennial plantings of shrubs and shade tolerant flowering plants under trees help insects complete their life cycles. He emphasized that healthy plant populations promote healthy insect populations which are necessary for healthy bird and mammal populations as well. And after the presentation was over Doug signed at least 100 books.
For the Teach-in we are proud to collaborate with other units within Monmouth University and with external partners to increase the impact and relevancy of the events; the climate crisis will not be solved by science alone. However, the interest from external partners in Doug’s talk was phenomenal! The Native Plant Society of Monmouth County, The Monmouth University Community Garden and the Monmouth Conservation Foundation all had tables prior to the event. The NJ Department of Environmental protection also contacted us to see if we would document attendance for Community Forestry Continuing Education Units (CEU’s); in the end 50 people earned one CEU for attending his talk. Monmouth Conservation Foundation also sponsored a well attended reception after the where vigorous discussion of planting plans and future projects proceeded until quite late.
The presentation was filmed by the Monmouth University Production Services and is available on vimeo
Doug preparing for his presentation before the audience, Karen Keene photo.Doug Tallamy signing books, photo Joe CoyleDoug presenting his concluding slide, photo Karen Keene
At the end of the 2015-2016 academic year, Dr. Naik stepped down from roughly two decades of academic administration to return to the Department of Chemistry and Physics and resume the role of a full-time faculty member. Since then, a natural collaboration with Dr. Moehring that stretches across the School of Science with faculty and students has evolved. This collaboration is a wonderful example of tenants significant to what the school aims to accomplish: elevating the student experience and research innovation within the school. In this installment we take the time to get to know them and their work.
Q: Introduce yourselves.
A: Dr. Greg Moehring is in his 35th year as a chemistry faculty member and his 13th year at Monmouth. Dr. Moehring has a PhD in inorganic chemistry from Purdue University in Indiana. Dr. Moehring has been married for 31 years and has two sons.
Dr. Datta Naik is in his 51st year as a chemistry faculty member and his 47th year at Monmouth. Dr. Naik has a PhD in inorganic chemistry from University of Notre Dame in Indiana. Dr. Naik has been married for 52 years and has one daughter and one son.
Q: What do you like about being in the school of science? What brought you here?
A: Both of us appreciate the research support from the School of Science and the opportunity to work with a notable community of scholars. We also value the opportunity to work and publish with our undergraduate student research colleagues.
Q: Tell us about your research. What inspired you to be in a role that includes doing research?
A: A few years back, Dr. Naik noticed a research paper which described a molecule containing rhenium and an unusual component known as an alkylcarbonate group. The paper noted that the molecule adversely affected certain cancer cell lines (the molecule was cytotoxic). Both of us were intrigued by the alkylcarbonate group and were interested in exploring its chemistry. As our students began transformations of the alkylcarbonate-containing molecule into new molecules, Dr. Jeffrey Weisburg, from the Biology Department, offered to test these new molecules against oral cancer cells. Some of the new molecules significantly impact oral cancer cells while others only have moderate or zero impact on cancer cell viability. At the same time, Dr. Tom Emge, the X-ray crystallographer, Rutgers University Chemistry Department, was kind enough to determine the structure for one of our new molecules (Figure 1). Dr. Massimiliano Lamberto, in our Department of Chemistry and Physics, also provided us with a reactant that had been prepared in his laboratory. We were able to incorporate Dr. Lamberto’s reactant into a new rhenium-containing molecule and test it against oral cancer cells as well. Our work, which will be submitted for publication shortly, indicates that differences in the cytotoxic properties of the various new molecules are due to some process or processes which occurs after the molecules have entered the cancer cells.
A space-filling representation of one of our group’s new complexes that was tested against oral cancer cells. White spheres represent hydrogen atoms, gray spheres represent carbon atoms, red spheres represent oxygen atoms, blue spheres represent nitrogen atoms, orange spheres represent bromine atoms, and violet spheres represent rhenium atoms.
Towards a better understanding of how our molecules adversely impact cancer cells, we have developed new ways to make molecules related to our original set of molecules. One of the properties that we have incorporated into our next generation of molecules is the ability to emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet light (Figure 2). Emission of light from the rhenium-containing molecules may allow us to identify where such molecules accumulate in a cell when the molecule has an adverse impact on that cell.
Both of us became involved with research because we enjoy intellectual challenges. It is a pleasure to apply our skills, knowledge and experience, along with reports from the scientific literature in efforts to better understand the world around us. It also gratifying to learn new things and develop new skills as we explore the world around us. It is stimulating to work with novice researchers and share our experiences in research with them.
On the left is a solution of a rhenium complex which includes the Rhodamine B group under normal lighting. On the right is the same solution fluorescing under an ultraviolet light
Q: Do you include collaborators including students?
A: While we have a broad set of skills and knowledge between us, we often rely on collaborators with different skill sets and knowledge in order to make progress in our research. We also make it a point to work on projects in which undergraduate students can contribute meaningfully to the project while developing or improving their skills. Some of the skills that students in our research group develop include inert atmosphere synthesis techniques, the measurement and interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, data analysis, and assorted other spectroscopic or electrochemical techniques.
Q: What are your research plans for the near future?
A: In the near future we would like to make further progress on our synthetic routes to potential cytotoxins. We are also looking to better understand what happens to the cytotoxic molecules after they enter cancer cells. Ultimately, we would like to use that progress to support a proposal for external support to continue this work.
Q: Do you have any advice for students that are interested in doing research?
A: Students who are interested in doing research should speak with faculty research mentors about their projects. (Faculty members love to talk about their research so you are not bothering them by asking.) Students should also talk with other students who are involved in a research project as well to get a different perspective. Find a mentor, a group, and a project that is a good fit for you and then make a commitment to the success of the project and the success of your colleagues.
The School of Science is proud to host best-selling author Doug Tallamy, Ph.D., professor of Entomology at University of Delaware and author of Nature’s Best Hope and the Nature of Oaks will present on what you can do in your own yard or balcony to fight climate change, create climate resiliency, and create beauty in your own backyard. Fighting Climate Change at Home: Homegrown National Park will present listeners with a road map on how to fight climate change and create a more ecologically resilient landscape.
Today, there are more than 44 million acres of turf grass in the U.S., an area larger than New England. Turf grass is the worst plant choice for fighting climate change because it is the worst option for sequestering carbon. Our parks, preserves, and remaining wildlands—no matter how grand in scale—are too small to sequester the amount of carbon needed to impact climate change. Moreover, they are also too small and separated from one another to sustain the native trees, plants, insects, and animals on which our ecosystems depend. These systems must be resilient if we are to have climate resiliency. We now must store carbon outside of parks and preserves, largely on private property, where we live, work, shop, and farm. Thus the concept for Homegrown National Park: a national challenge to create diverse ecosystems in our yards, communities, and surrounding lands by reducing lawn, planting natives, and removing invasive plants, and, in so doing, fight the biodiversity crisis and climate change simultaneously.
The talk will be followed by Q&A and a book signing and a reception. The public is encouraged to bring their own copies of Tallamy books for signature. This will be the first presentation of the 2024 Climate Crisis Teach-in and the School of Science. This event is co-sponsored by the Schools of Social Work and the Leon Hess School of Business. The reception is co-sponsored by Monmouth Conservation Foundation.
Parking is available to the public in the Main Campus Lot. One Community and Urban Forestry CEU is also available for attendance at this event, (with sign in).
Dr. Bernadette Dunphy steps down after nearly 15 years of involvement with Pre-Health Advising at Monmouth University.
Dr. Bernadette Dunphy
Dr. Dunphy (DPT) is currently a Senior Specialist Professor in Biology teaching Anatomy and Physiology and Biology First Year Seminar. Dr. Dunphy is Owner, Director, and Clinical Coordinator of Dunphy’s Physical Therapy in Red Bank, New Jersey. She has have been in involved in Pre Health Advising since 2010. She was on the PHA committee for three years. She moved on to Co –Director for next two years. For the last eight years, Dr. Dunphy has been Director of Pre Health Advising. Under her direction four affiliation agreements were initiated or renewed, seven new student clubs for students interested in pre-health careers were created, new internship and scribe opportunities for students were identified, and many, many students received thoughtful letters of recommendation from Dr. Dunphy.
We thank Dr. Dunphy for her many years of fine service to our students and all of her accomplishments!
Monmouth University will now be using a committee model in our pre-health advising. Drs. Catherine Duckett, Dottie Lobo and Jonathan Ouellet from the School of Science are joined by Dr. Polina Amburg and Specialist Prof. Stephanie Lynch. Donna Volpetti will continue with her administrative support of the program under the direction of Interim Director Duckett.
In her own words: After graduating from Monmouth University, I earned my medical degree from the University of Virginia. I then completed my Internal Medicine residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, followed by a fellowship in Allergy & Immunology at Mount Sinai. During fellowship, I fell in love with the field of food allergy, leading me to join the faculty of the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at Mount Sinai after finishing training.
As a pediatric allergist at an academic medical center, I see patients, conduct research, and teach. My clinical practice involves caring for children with a variety of allergic conditions, and I have a special interest in food allergy and food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES). I am an investigator on several clinical trials to advance our ability to diagnose and treat food allergies. I am particularly excited about a NIH-funded study designed to learn more about the immunology underlying FPIES and how best to conduct food challenges for this condition. When I’m not treating patients or conducting research of my own, I enjoy teaching and mentoring trainees interested in research.
Looking back, I can clearly see how my love of teaching had its roots at Monmouth University, where I encountered some of the first and best examples of true mentorship and genuine commitment to students. As a Spanish major concurrently completing pre-medical coursework, I faced unique challenges immersing myself in two very different disciplines. The dedicated faculty of both the Department of World Languages and Cultures and the School of Science were incredibly supportive of this path and invested in my academic and professional success. The individualized attention to students was instrumental in helping me develop mastery of the material and the critical thinking skills that I would carry forward throughout my medical training as well as the language proficiency to converse with my Spanish-speaking patients.
Additionally, Monmouth University’s extracurricular opportunities helped me discover a love of research. I was fortunate to conduct my first bench project with Dr. Dorothy Lobo and a fantastic team of fellow students. (See photo at left with student colleagues presenting a poster), and the Pre-Health committee connected me with a summer internship that showed me how clinical research can link science to patient outcomes. These early research experiences helped shape my decision to pursue work in academic medicine and laid the groundwork for a fun and fulfilling career. (Photos courtesy of M.G. Baker).
