Shubhashree Shahi

Shubhashree Shahi of Lalitpur, Nepal, is a junior majoring in Biology with minors in Neuroscience and Public Health. She is also a part of the College Honors Program.

At Ramapo, she has actively contributed to campus life, serving as a Senator-at-large in the Student Government Organization (SGA), as Vice President of the International Student Organization, as a Resident Assistant, and as a student employee for the Center for Student Involvement and Events and Conferences. Additionally, she works in Dr. Reich’s Neuroscience Lab.

After graduation, Shubhashree plans to pursue a career in research and healthcare. Over the next 15 years, she aims to dedicate herself to improving the sexual and reproductive health status of women in Nepal.

Demi Rooyakkers

Demi Rooyakkers of Hillsborough, N.J. is a Biology major with a concentration in Dental Studies and a Spanish language minor. Her GPA is currently 3.8,  enrolled in the Honors program, and is a Presidential Scholar. Demi is also a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, The National Society of Leadership and Success, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

On campus, Demi is the captain of the Ramapo College Dance Team, secretary of the Spanish club, president of the Sigma Delta Pi Hispanic Honor Society, and vice president of the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society of International Education. She has also participated in the SAIL program, as well as tutoring students from Guatemala. Demi is passionate about furthering her studies in the dental field, as well as receiving the Spanish for Healthcare Certificate after recently studying abroad with the Spanish program in Bilbao, Spain.

“As a woman in STEM, I am determined to prove myself intelligent and successful as a professional in my field, while still pursuing my passion of helping people beam brighter,” says Demi. She aspires to establish a beneficial presence on campus and continue learning to be a successful, resourceful peer, student, and teammate.

Luke Connell

“I’ve always had a passion for Physics and Natural Sciences. I intend to combine this with my passion for helping others by becoming a Medical Physicist,” says Luke Connell of Closter, N.J. Luke is an Engineering Physics major and has a GPA of 3.5.

At Ramapo, Luke has served as Student Assistant Residence Director of a first-year residence hall on campus, as well as an Admissions Ambassador, dedicated to telling prospective students everything Ramapo has to offer. He has also worked as a head coach for a summer league dive team.

Ayush Acharya

Ayush Acharya of Kathmandu, Nepal is a Chemistry major, and is conducting research in the synthesis of chalcone compound for green chemistry. He has a 3.3 GPA and made Dean’s List in the Spring 2019. He hopes to become a pharmacist and apply his organic chemistry knowledge in the field of medicine.

At Ramapo, Ayush is part of the International Student Organization, Chemistry and Bio-Chemistry Club and Computer Technology Club.  He is also an OSS chemistry tutor.

“After graduation, I want to go to graduate school to pursue my interest in organic chemistry, possibly in the pharmaceutical field to do research on drug discovery.”

Brian Plucinsky

“I have a passion for the physical sciences and wish to leave a lasting impact on the world throughout my lifetime, whether through scientific research or community service,” says Brian Plucinsky of Denville, N.J. Brian is a Chemistry major with a minor in Mathematics. He has a 3.98 GPA and is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Freshmen Honor Society, Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society, and Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society. He has received the CRC Freshmen Chemistry Achievement Award and the ACS Organic Chemistry Achievement Award.

Brian has served as the treasurer for Alpha Phi Omega for the 2016-2017 school year, is part of the Theoretical and Applied Science Research Honors program, and is a Teacher’s Assistant and tutor for chemistry. Additionally, he is involved with Habitat for Humanity.

Brian plans to pursue a Ph. D. in organic/polymer chemistry.

Daniel Tafone

Markoni Acharya

Markoni Acharya is an International student from Nepal who is pursuing a major in Engineering Physics with a minor in Computer Science and Mathematics. He has a GPA of 3.75, is a Presidential Scholar and has consistently been on the Dean’s List.

At Ramapo, he is an active member of the International Students Organization and the Engineering Physics Club.

After Ramapo, Markoni plans to attend  graduate school and put his love for Physics into work which he hopes will land him a Nobel Prize somewhere in the future.

Claudia Borodziuk

Claudia Borodziuk of Landing, N.J. is a Biochemistry major with a minor in Neuroscience. She has a 3.43 GPA, and is a first generation college student. She is a member of the National Society for Collegiate Honors as well as the Ramapo Honors Program.

At Ramapo, Claudia is part of the Biochemistry/Chemistry Club, Pre-Medical Club, and Ramapo Student Ambassadors (RASA).

At the Morristown Medical Center, Claudia is an Emergency Department Ambassador.  She also works at BJ’s Wholesale Club as a Member Service Supervisor.

After earning her degree at Ramapo, she plans to attend graduate school through a Pathology Assistant program and is also considering going to medical school to become a pathologist.

Lindsey Gray

Lindsey Gray of Dumont, NJ is an Engineering Physics major with a Math minor.  She has a 3.55 GPA and is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and the Ramapo College Honors program.

Last year, Lindsey and a group of fellow students worked together to create the Females in STEM Society, for which Lindsey serves as treasurer.  The group aims to recruit, support, and develop the careers of females in the STEM field.  She is also a member of the Ramapo Admissions Student Ambassadors, is the social/fundraising chair for Alpha Lambda Delta, and secretary of the Bass fishing team.

She tutors off campus, works at Le Gourmet Factory, and has performed research at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).

Ann Kozlik

Ann Kozlik is a senior from Ramsey, NJ majoring in Biology.

Alisha Malla

Alisha Malla of Leonia, N.J., is a biology major and a chemistry minor. She has a 3.82 grade point average.

At Ramapo, Alisha is a member of Phi Delta Epsilon, the pre-medical fraternity and a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Golden Key Honour Society and the Pre-med Club. She is a member of the TAS Research Honors Program and conducts research with Professor Owen. Alisha holds positions as a lab assistant and a teacher’s assistant in the biology department. She participates in the Research Associates Program at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Alisha would like to become a doctor and to travel to other countries to help those who cannot help themselves.

Ahmetn Akdag

The first Topken TAS Scholarship recipient is Ahmetn Akdag of Clifton, NJ. He is an Engineering Physics major in the School of Theoretical and Applied Science. He has earned a 3.0 GPA.