Meet the 2015 WW New Jersey Teaching Fellows
Nesrin Abulaban ǀ North Bergen, NJ ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Montclair State University, 2015, biology
Instructor, leadership and employee development classes; honors graduate; marketing/sales and client service manager, lighting design company.
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Ammar Ahmed ǀ Lawrenceville, NJ ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: The College of New Jersey, 2015, biology
Tutor, math and science; teaching assistant/instructor, intermediate college Arabic; community volunteer; dean’s list student; magna cum laude.
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Paola Arce ǀ Newark, NJ ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Bloomfield College, 2014, mathematics
Tutor, college math; English language private tutor; multiple academic scholarship recipient; dean’s list student; former assistant restaurant manager; graduate of high-need schools; fluent Spanish speaker.
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Angela Bello ǀ Burlington Township, NJ ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Montclair State University, 2015, biology
Student assistant, local children’s center; summer camp counselor, YMCA; volunteer, after school program; dance coach; member, university biology club.
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Laurentee Bernard ǀ Columbia, MD ǀ Will attend: Rutgers University–Camden
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: University of Maryland, College Park, 2015, chemistry
Chemistry mentor, tutor, and supplemental instructor, minority college prep alliance; research assistant, cyclic diguanosine monophosphate and cancer eradication; author of published research; spectroscopy operator; Girl Scout.
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Indira Bhatnagar ǀ Edison, NJ ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: University of Aston, 1987, chemical engineering
• Graduate institution and degree: Bradford University, 1991, M.S., manufacturing systems engineering
Founder and director of educational programs, local K–12 test prep company; middle school math league coach; Science Olympiad coach; school volunteer; soccer coach; manager, investment banking and insurance firms; IT systems instructor.
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Johnny Bien-Aime ǀ Hillside, NJ ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Montclair State University, 2014, mathematical science
Tutor, college algebra and ESL; volunteer group leader, high school in Port-au-Prince, Haiti; coursework in computing, statistics, business management, and English as a second language.
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Justin Binnix ǀ Severna Park, MD ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: The College of New Jersey, 2015, mathematics—liberal arts and music
Math tutor, Anne Arundel Community College (AACC); assistant curricula developer, AACC mathematics courses; camp counselor for middle and elementary school students; school and community theatre participant.
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Nicholas Bremer ǀ Burlington, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rutgers University–Camden
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rowan University, 2014, biology
Biology tutor; animal care and trail maintenance volunteer, Rancocas Nature Center; volunteer, Boy Scouts-Seabase coral reef conservation; scholarship recipient; Eagle Scout.
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Zara Cana ǀ Linden, NJ ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Kean University, 2015, mathematical sciences
Math tutor; volunteer leader, senior citizen recreational activities; youth group leader; community volunteer, recipient, multiple academic scholarships; volunteer leader, youth martial arts group.
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Cindy Celi ǀ Bloomfield, NJ ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: New Jersey Institute of Technology, 2009, architecture; Kean University, 2011, interior design
CAD 3-D rendering tutor; high school volleyball assistant; mentor to high school seniors on entering college; intern at various NJ architectural firms.
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Sharmila Chattopadhyay ǀ East Windsor, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rowan University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Calcutta University, India, 1985, physics
• Graduate institution and degree: Jawaharlal Nehru University, India, 1987, M.S., molecular biology; Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain, 2004, Ph.D., biomedical sciences
Biomedical research scientist, neuropathology and cancer; university faculty research instructor; adjunct lecture and lab instructor; substitute teacher; middle and high school tutor; English as second language instructor; multiple language speaker; community and science volunteer.
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Matthew Cheng ǀ West New York, NJ ǀ Will attend: William Paterson University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY), 2005, computer information systems
• Graduate institution and degree: John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY), 2015, M.S., digital forensics
Computer programmer; technical consultant; undergraduate computer lab tutor; volunteer middle school coding and programming tutor; school board trustee; community volunteer and advocate.
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Kelli Copeland ǀ Marlton, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rutgers University–Camden
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rutgers University–Camden, 2000, biology
• Graduate institution and degree: University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ, 2006, M.S., physician assistant
Adjunct biology professor, community college; physician’s assistant, obstetrics and gynecology; horseback riding instructor.
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Madison Crocker ǀ Edison, NJ ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: The City College of New York, 2014, mathematics
Undergraduate researcher, theoretical mathematics; research assistant, American Museum of Natural History; math tutor; math education department grader; multiple academic scholarship recipient; president, math club.
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Scott Davis ǀ Williamstown, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rutgers University–Camden
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rutgers University–Camden, 2014, chemistry
Volunteer tutor, science; undergraduate researcher, neuro-ethology, bird flight dynamics; drone engineering; marsupial husbandry mentor; winner, multiple academic awards; U.S. Navy veteran.
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Mark Davison ǀ Rutherford, NJ ǀ Will attend: William Paterson University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rutgers University, 1993, History, 2006, Chemistry
Teaching assistant, organic lab; undergraduate research fellow, characterization, purification, and extraction of target molecules; application and new product development chemist, specialty chemical industry; K–12 substitute teacher; chemistry tutor; ocean water sports instructor.
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André Delva ǀ Tampa, FL ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Emory University, 2014, biology
Math tutor; teaching assistant, science; college dormitory resident advisor; undergraduate researcher, pollination; counselor, YMCA; education volunteer; education and recreation mentor.
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Suepavade DeNardo ǀ Wayne, NJ ǀ Will attend: William Paterson University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: William Paterson University, 2002, biology
Job coach and life skills instructor, adults and children with developmental disabilities; quality control supervisor, tissue and organ repair laboratory; chemistry lab assistant; afterschool science instructor; pre-K teacher; multiple academic scholarship and award recipient; vocalist and music mentor.
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John DiCairano ǀ Montclair, NJ ǀ Will attend: William Paterson University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Montclair State University, 2013, biology
Rotational intern, wildlife center; animal care intern, zoo; animal groomer; summa cum laude graduate.
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Naphysah Duncan ǀ New York, NY ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: The Cooper Union of the Advancement of Science and Art, 1993, mechanical engineering
• Graduate institution and degree: The Cooper Union of the Advancement of Science and Art, 1995, M.E., mechanical engineering; Rutgers University/UMDNJ, 2004, M.S., biomedical engineering
Adjunct professor; math tutor; GRE test preparation instructor, engineering design and test methods; research assistant, biomedical engineering; tutor, high-need students; co-founder, engineering career day for minority students; recipient, multiple academic scholarships; rhythmic gymnastics judge and coach.
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Alice Freund ǀ Montclair, NJ ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Brandeis University, 1969, general science
• Graduate institution and degree: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1975, M.S.P.H, environmental chemistry and biology
Instructor, advisor, and researcher, health and safety in a hospital work environment; creator and trainer, labor-management and union health and safety committees; industrial hygienist.
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Ivan Garcia ǀ Perth Amboy, NJ ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rutgers University, 2014, mathematics
Preschool teacher; substitute preschool teacher; volunteer assistant soccer coach; intern, local early child education program.
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Michael Garrant ǀ Marcellus, NY ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Clarkson University, 1985, electrical engineering
• Graduate institution and degree: The Johns Hopkins University, 1988, M.S., electrical engineering
Project manager; software engineering manager; patient safety risk management engineer; software engineer; electrical engineer; multinational, startup, private, and non-profit business experience; U.S. Army Signal Corps Officer; volunteer youth soccer coach; volunteer ambulance service emergency medical technician and board member; patent holder.
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Mark Gittens ǀ Elizabeth, NJ ǀ Will attend: William Paterson University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Kean University, 2014, earth science; University of Connecticut, Storrs, 1998, economics
Substitute teacher; general/event manager, national cellular, internet, and cable provider; administrative assistant, Army National Guard.
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Bernard Gray ǀ East Orange, NJ ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rutgers University – Newark, 2015, computer science
Tutor, high school and college math; underclass mentor; head tutor and supervisor, college math; sales and customer service professional; youth pastor.
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Sanna Greenberg ǀ New York, NY ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Harvard University, 1998, English and American literature;
• Graduate institution and degree: University of Texas at Austin, 2007, M. Arch, architecture
Math tutor; physical and AutoCAD modeler, multiple architectural firms; teaching assistant, interior design; instructor, Harvard varsity swimming and swim school.
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Kimberly Haddad ǀ Glassboro, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rutgers University–Camden
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rowan University, 2010, biology
High school science and math teaching assistant; substitute teacher; certified veterinary technician; pet health educator; laboratory analysis; volunteer, local aquarium; mixed martial arts student.
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Quarail Hale ǀ Norfolk, VA ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Norfolk State University, 2015, applied mathematics
Tutor, math; mentor; summer research experiences for undergraduate internships, epidemiology; research presenter; full academic scholarship recipient.
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Karla Hernandez ǀ Lodi, NJ ǀ Will attend: William Paterson University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: William Paterson University, 2013, mathematics
Private tutor, math and Spanish; member, Greek letter mathematics honor society; dean’s list student; Magna Cum Laude; recipient, multiple academic scholarships; fluent Spanish speaker.
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Tasha Hester ǀ Durham, NC ǀ Will attend: Rutgers University–Camden
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Bennett College, 2013, biology
Post-baccalaureate researcher, determining genes involved in spermatogenesis through RNAi; certified phlebotomist; undergraduate senior class president; undergraduate research summer fellow; YMCA youth counselor.
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Nushrat Hoque ǀ Middletown, NY ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Bard College, 2014, chemistry
Research assistant, heteronuclear metal complex interactions; mentor, local high school; college club tennis player; social media and outreach assistant, college center for environmental policy; chemistry scholarship recipient.
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Eric Howell ǀ Marlton, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rutgers University–Camden
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rutgers University – Camden, 2015, mathematics and chemistry
Geo-probe operator; study techniques coach, university learning center; tutor, college math and physical science; mentor; U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
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Cashana Hudson ǀ Philadelphia, PA ǀ Will attend: Rutgers University–Camden
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Lincoln University, 2014, biology
English tutor, Thailand; undergraduate researcher, Alzheimer’s disease; biology club president; mentor; university student activities coordinator.
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Kristine Kniaziewicz ǀ Levittown, PA ǀ Will attend: Rowan University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: the Pennsylvania State University, 2015, mathematics
Learning assistant, college statistics; teaching assistant, college mathematics; member, National Honor Society; member, mathematics club; treasurer, cultural student association; tech/communications employee, university information desk.
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Erin Kreeger ǀ Lebanon, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rowan University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: the University of Maryland, 2015, bioengineering
Undergraduate teaching fellow, biology for engineers and introduction to engineering design; undergraduate research fellow, metabolic engineering of marine algae towards the production of biofuels; engineering tutor; teaching and resident assistant for summer engineering programs; president, alumni secretary, and historian, honorary band service sorority; member, university marching band.
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Janet Lara ǀ Little Falls, NJ ǀ Will attend: William Paterson University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Montclair State University, 2014, mathematics and Spanish
Tutor, college mathematics and Spanish; Dean’s list student; fluent Spanish speaker.
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Veronica Leone ǀ Ridgefield Park, NJ ǀ Will attend: William Paterson University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Chatham College, 2010, biology
STEM educator, hands-on science center; intern, New Jersey health department; dorm resident assistant; activities board president, undergraduate student government; work/study lab assistant, chemistry; avid reader and world traveler.
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Lindsey Mading ǀ Toms River, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rowan University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rowan University, 2013, mathematics
Tutor, intermediate, high school, and college mathematics; recipient, multiple academic scholarships; vice president, math team; magna cum laude graduate; member, honor society; elementary school volunteer; librarians assistant; member, student university programming club.
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Alann Mancao ǀ Pennsauken, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rutgers University–Camden
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rutgers University–Camden, 2015, biology
Physics, anatomy, and physiology course mentor; education ambassador, middle school engineering in Camden charter school; volunteer, charitable community organization; honors college scholar; dean’s list student; member, campus honors society.
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Michael Martino ǀ Woodbridge, NJ ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Kean University, 2014, cell and molecular biology
Undergraduate researcher, oxidative stress in HTC-line cancer cells; volunteer, university promotion committee; participant, undergraduate and graduate research surveys; summa cum laude graduate; recipient, multiple academic awards; participant, multiple state wide and local 5K run fundraisers.
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Frank Migliorino ǀ Wayne, NJ ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Pennsylvania State University, 2014, physics
Teaching assistant and lab proctor, Newtonian mechanics and electricity/magnetism; undergraduate researcher, graphene; tutor, AP physics; junior sailing instructor; Eagle Scout; committee member, Penn State’s THON, funding the fight against pediatric cancer.
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Bradford Morris ǀ Wayne, NJ ǀ Will attend: William Paterson University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Montclair State University, 2014, discrete applied mathematics
Teaching assistant, pre-calculus; professional tutor, basic algebra through abstract algebra, SAT/ACT preparation; undergraduate researcher, combinatorics and graph theory; freelance illustrator; amateur accordionist; summa cum laude graduate; member, mathematical honors society; Eagle Scout; community volunteer.
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Olivia-Ann Perez ǀ Toms River, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rowan University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Montclair State University, 2015, physics
Certified physics, chemistry, and calculus tutor; supplemental instruction leader, Calculus II; research assistant, chemistry and biochemistry; recipient, academic physics award; dean’s list; active member, multiple honor societies and physics club.
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Giancarlo Perez-Flores ǀ Passaic, NJ ǀ Will attend: William Paterson University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: New Jersey City University, 2015, biology
Undergraduate researcher, neuroscience; graphic designer; computer technician; dean’s list student; fluent Spanish speaker.
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Juleann Ramos ǀ Union City, NJ ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Montclair State University, 2014, biology
Substitute teacher; volunteer, community action corporation; hospitality associate, hands-on science center; office secretary, contracting firm; animal care intern; president and treasurer, on-campus sorority; member, Latin American student organization; fluent English, Spanish, and Portuguese speaker.
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Molly Reingold ǀ Haddonfield, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rutgers University–Camden
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Humboldt State University, 2010, wildlife and wildlife management
Researcher and conservationist, Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge; fish culturist; intern, freshwater fish hatchery; tutor; counselor and waterfront coordinator, NY summer camp; environmental educator; student athlete, rowing; recipient, multiple academic scholarships and awards.
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Jaime Richards ǀ Elk Township, NJ ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rowan University, 2015, physics
Learning assistant, introductory physics; physics tutor; undergraduate researcher, polymer physics; researcher, physics education; member, physics club and astronomy club.
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Felicitas Ross ǀ Fremont, IN ǀ Will attend: Rutgers University–Camden
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rutgers University–Camden, 1996, biology
• Graduate institution and degree: Rutgers University–Camden, 2015, M.S., biology
Supervisor, research animal facility; senior supervising research associate, university hospital; researcher, thyroid hormones/GABAᴀ Receptor; senior laboratory technologist; volunteer summer science program for inner-city high school students; community volunteer and foster family.
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Camila Rudin ǀ Kearny, NJ ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: New Jersey City University, 2012, mathematics
Camp counselor, American Conference on Diversity; volunteer tutor for military children; tutor, afterschool homework help club; Dean’s list student; member, college honor society; fluent speaker of Portuguese.
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Jennifer Sabogal-Agudelo ǀ Elizabeth, NJ ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Fairleigh Dickinson University, 2010, biological sciences
Graduate researcher, molecular biology, animal genetics, and fertilization; STEM educator, hands-on science center; undergraduate researcher, immunology; researcher, microbiological hazards; lab assistant, microbiological identification; honor society member; academic scholarship recipient; avid reader and traveler.
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Nicole Scafo ǀ Howard Beach, NY ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Saint Francis College, 2015, chemistry
Laboratory assistant, chemistry, biology, and physics; president, college mathematics club; volunteer leader and instructor, summer science program for autistic children; dance instructor, lyrical, ballet, tap, and jazz.
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Kyle Schreiner ǀ Hamilton, NJ ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Lehigh University, 2011, civil engineering
Junior civil engineer, bridge design and inspection; college first-year student orientation coordinator; fraternity alumni volunteer; former volunteer youth basketball coach.
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Noah Shen ǀ Glassboro, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rowan University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rowan University, 2014, mechanical engineering
Student worker, college of engineering; graduate researcher, virtual reality applications; intern, multiple mechanical engineering companies; member, honors engineering fraternity; cum laude graduate; recipient, academic scholarship; former vice president, Rowan religious group.
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Jessica Sudah ǀ North Brunswick, NJ ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: American University of Beirut, 2005, biology and science education
• Graduate institution and degree: American University of Beirut, 2007, M.S., microbiology and immunology
Clinical trial research assistant, pediatric patients with epilepsy; graduate assistant, department of microbiology and immunology; librarian assistant; summer camp teacher, French and Arabic classes; tutor, French; co-author, articles in epilepsy treatment; Sunday school volunteer.
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Scott Summerill ǀ Port Republic, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rowan University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rowan University, 2015, mathematics
• Graduate institution and degree: Rutgers University, 2002, M.S., systems and reliability engineering
Engineer, national advanced technology systems company; industrial engineering fellow; owner, landscaping company; stock trading and mathematics of technical indicators enthusiast.
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Ashley Tamkutonis ǀ Matawan, NJ ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rutgers University–New Brunswick, 2013, biology
Practice PSAT, SAT, and ACT proctor; former technical writer; undergraduate researcher, cell biology and neuroscience; recipient, academic award for project on improving university transfer student program; former peer tutor, biology; art history enthusiast.
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Samuel Thomas ǀ Maywood, NJ ǀ Will attend: William Paterson University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Stevens Institute of Technology, 2014, biomedical engineering
• Graduate institution and degree: Stevens Institute of Technology, 2015, M.E., engineering management
Teaching assistant, engineering economics; recipient, outstanding TA award; tutor, calculus, biology, and thermodynamics; undergraduate researcher, computer vision for robotic surgeries; undergraduate clinical researcher, hospital trauma department; volunteer youth group leader, mentoring middle school and high school youth.
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Robinson Ucros ǀ Passaic, NJ ǀ Will attend: Montclair State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Montclair State University, 2013, mathematics
Certified tutor, mathematics; assessment assistant, university center for academic development; dean’s list; summa cum laude graduate; recipient, multiple academic awards and scholarships; fluent Spanish speaker.
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Rita Vander Stad ǀ West Milford, NJ ǀ Will attend: William Paterson University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: William Paterson University, 2014, mathematics
College math tutor; math department grader; honors college graduate; president, New Jersey chapter of national math honor society; recipient, multiple academic scholarships.
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Adrian Wilkins ǀ Roseland, NJ ǀ Will attend: The College of New Jersey
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: University of Redlands, 2007, information technology
IT project analysis, IT computing firm; veteran IT professional; US Air Force veteran; mentor; Boys and Girls Club volunteer.
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Cameron Youngblood ǀ Mantua, NJ ǀ Will attend: Rowan University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rochester Institute of Technology, 2007, chemistry
• Graduate institution and degree: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2014, M.S., forensic medicine
Forensic investigator intern; forensic scientists, toxicology drug testing laboratory; quality control technician, film manufacturing company; analytical chemist, national copy and print company; undergraduate research, nanopower; high school basketball coach; volunteer teacher.
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