Meghan Cortez

Meghan Cortez of College Station, Texas is a Chemistry Major with a minor in Crime and Justice, Sociology, and Environmental Science. She has a GPA of 3.588. Meghan is a recipient of the ACS Analytical Chemistry Achievement Award, and has been on the Dean’s List every semester. 

While engaged in her studies, Meghan has held a variety of volunteer and employment positions and has been active in undergraduate research. She is a member of the Ramapo College Swim Team and has been featured in a CNN documentary on transgender athletes in college sports.

After graduation, Meghan plans to continue her education at Purdue University and pursue a PhD in Analytical Chemistry.  

Michael Sooy

Michael Sooy of Mays Landing, N.J. is a Biochemistry major with minors in Neuroscience and Psychology. He has a 3.98 GPA. Michael was the recipient of the Westchester Chemical Society Award and has been on the Dean’s List every semester.

At Ramapo, Michael is the treasurer of PLU Chemical Honor Society. He is also a member of the Ramapo Men’s Swim Team as a distance swimmer and two-year captain.

After graduation, Michael plans to go to graduate school to pursue a degree in Clinical Neuropsychology.

Rachel Edudzi

Rachel Bubune Edudzi of Agbozume, Ghana is a Biochemistry major with a 3.95 GPA. She is a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship, the ACS Organic Chemistry Achievement Award, and the Elaine Winshell Award.

“I am immensely proud of my consistency of being on the Dean’s List since freshman year as every semester comes with its challenges,” says Rachel.

Rachel has been involved with Liquid Love Foundation in Ghana and participated in Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Syracuse University. She has always wanted to be a medical doctor and is currently interested in making groundbreaking discoveries in cancer research.

After graduation, she plans on applying to an MD/PhD program.

In her free time, she loves reading, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.

Jamie Latona

Jamie Latona of Saddle Brook, N.J. is a Biochemistry major with a Neuroscience minor. She has a 3.5 GPA. 

At Ramapo, Jamie has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Sustainability Committee, the TAS research program, and she works as a tutor for the Chemistry department. Off-campus, she volunteers as a recreational coach in her town and works a job as a bookkeeper. 

After graduation, Jamie plans to continue her education in graduate school. She hopes to obtain a job in the biomedical or pharmaceutical field and one day become a professor.

Alexa Hacopian

Alexa Hacopian of River Vale, N.J. is a Chemistry major with a Mathematics minor.  Alexa is on the executive boards for the College Honors Program and the Chemistry/Biochemistry Club. Off-campus, she is part of Antranig Dance Ensemble, an Armenian dance organization.

Alexa has been inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Sigma Xi Research Honors Society, where her research in analytical chemistry under Dr. Tan earned her the position of President.

She currently works at Stryker Orthopaedics, where she will work full-time upon graduation. She’ll continue with her current team of Sterility, Biocompatibility, and Chemistry for the Joint Replacement Division.

Alexa has a 3.86 GPA and plans on pursuing a Master’s in Chemistry.

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.

Pritha Aggarwal

Pritha Aggarwal of River Edge N.J. is a Biochemistry major with a minor in Neuroscience. She has a 3.89 GPA.

At Ramapo, Pritha is an e-board member of the Biochemistry/Chemistry Club as well as South Asians at Ramapo. She was also a member of the Research Honors Program at Ramapo College, where she worked under Dr. Seung-Sup Kim to study the growth and protein expression of different bacteria.

Thanuka Udumulla

Thanuka Udumulla of Kadawatha, Sri Lanka is a Chemistry major. He has a 3.954 GPA and has been in Dean’s list all throughout his college career.

As the President of Chemistry club, Thanuka has shown great leadership organizing events to spread the awareness of Chemical science among the student body. Thanuka was also the president of the Bischoff Resident Hall Committee, where he worked for the welfare of the students. Due to his exceptional work as a Resident Assistant, he was inducted in to the RA honor society, Rho Alpha Sigma. Thanuka has also been involved with extensive green chemistry research in the chemistry department under Dr. Sarah Carberry, doing work that has been published both internally and externally. He has presented his research in conferences and symposiums all throughout the country. “My proudest achievement is my oral presentation on Green Olefin Metathesis at the 20^th Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference.”  Thanuka was the only undergraduate presenter among a pool of PhD and Post doc scientists attending the conference.

Thanuka plans to pursue his passion in chemistry and obtain his PhD in chemical science after graduation, and continue with his research.

Ryan Ludvigsen

Ryan Ludvigsen of Wanaque, NJ is a Biochemistry major. He has a 3.79 GPA. He is a Ramapo Presidential Scholarship recipient, the president of Ramapo’s student chapter of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society.

At Ramapo, Ryan has been active in several activities, including chemistry tutoring, the Theoretical and Applied Science Student Research Honors Program, and the cross country team.

He is also a physical therapy aide at a local outpatient physical therapy practice.

Courtney Mower

Courtney Mower of Blackwood, N.J., is a biochemistry major and criminology minor. She has a 3.97 grade point average. Courtney has been inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and the Sigma Xi Research Honor Society.
At Ramapo, Courtney is a member of the Research Honors Program. Under the guidance of Seung-Sup Kim, Ph.D., she helped analyze the biochemical effects of temperature, pH and air on the growth and protein expression of bacteria. Courtney is president of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Undergraduate Affiliate Network at Ramapo.
Courtney plans to pursue a master’s degree in forensic science.

Jill Tracey

Jill Tracey of Newton, NJ is a Chemistry major with minors in Physics and Mathematics. She believes the greatest challenge facing students is gaining work experience in their chosen careers so that they will be considered for entry level positions. For that reason, she thinks all students at Ramapo College should be aware of the value of internships. A scholar/athlete, Jill is a member of the College’s Women’s Swim team and participates in numerous fundraising events involving swimming. She is president of the Chemistry/Biochemistry Club and a member of the Mathematics and Physics Clubs. She has been inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Phi Lambda Upsilon Chemistry Honor Society, the Golden Key Honor Society and Sigma Athletic Honor Society. Jill has a 3.95 grade point average. Jill plans to attend graduate school to earn a doctoral degree in Chemistry.

Stephan Bien-Aime

Stephan Bien-Aime is working with a faculty mentor on a research project in Chemistry. He participated in an internship during the summer of 2011 at Goddard Space Flight Center NASA, and was an intern this past summer at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in the RISE program. Stephan is majoring in Chemistry, and has earned a 3.93 grade point average. He works on campus as a peer tutor in French, as the Lodge Fitness Center Manager, and as a teaching assistant in the chemistry lab. He is a member of the Chemistry Club and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Stephan is from Bloomfield, NJ.

This scholarship is very important to me. It helps financially, but also this scholarship encourages me to give the best of myself in my present and future studies.

Holly Sorenson

Holly Sorenson of Clifton, NJ is a Chemistry major. She served as the president of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Club and is a member of the Phi Lambda Upsilon Chemistry Honor Society. Holly has conducted undergraduate research as part of the Research Honors Program with Professor Anita Brandolini. Last summer she completed a three month internship at Hoffmann La Roche Pharmaceuticals doing research in medicinal chemistry and drug development. This fall Holly will attend graduate school to pursue a doctorate in Organic Chemistry. Holly says, “I am incredibly proud that I have earned this scholarship and that my efforts and accomplishments in Chemistry are being acknowledged.” Holly, who has a 3.62 grade point average, would like a career as a chemist in the pharmaceutical industry.

The Beck Scholarship will assist me in being a successful graduate student next year.

Justin Cappuzzo

Justin Cappuzzo of Succasunna, NJ is a Chemistry major. He presented research conducted with his mentor,Associate Professor of Biochemistry Arthur Felix, at the 58th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. Among his many accomplishments, Justin established and serves as president of Ramapo’s chapter of Phi Lambda Upsilon, the National Chemistry Honor Society. He also is treasurer of the Chemistry Club and a member of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, the American Chemical Society and Phi Delta Epsilon, the International Medical Fraternity. During the summer he worked at Bell Laboratories conducting industrial research. Justin, who has a 3.73 grade point average, plans to complete a doctorate in Organic Chemistry and work in the pharmaceutical industry as a research scientist. He says, “It means a great deal that your work has been accepted and that you have made an impression, so much that a scholarship was awarded.”

Tiffany Simons

Tiffany Simons, from Vineland, NJ is a senior majoring in Chemistry who has earned a 3.79 grade point average. Chemistry convener Steve Anderson reports that Tiffany has received a number of awards during her time at Ramapo, including the CRC Freshman Award in Chemistry, the American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry award and the Ted Michelfeld Award. She is in the process of applying to graduate schools to pursue a Ph.D. program in Chemistry.

It will help me pay for my undergraduate education, which will then help me afford my graduate studies.

Michael Chiorazzo

Michael Chiorazzo is a junior majoring in chemistry. He is in the Ramapo College Honors Program with a cumulative grade point average of 3.51. Last year he received the Polymer Award for Outstanding Achievement in Organic Chemistry as the top student in organic chemistry. “This year Michael was the top chemistry student in the biochemistry course, and he plans on attending graduate school when he graduates,” says professor Steve Anderson, convener of the chemistry faculty. He has worked as a lab assistant in the biology lab since 2006, and is a tutor for students in chemistry. Michael is a member of the Chemistry Club, where he serves as president, and the Biology Club. This past fall he volunteered at the Liberty Science Center during Chemistry Week, conducting experiments for children on electrolytes in sport drinks. “I hope to go to graduate school for a Ph.D. in biochemistry,” he says.