Miami Dade College School of Science Presents STEM+ Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Symposium Oct. 29

Miami, Oct. 28, 2022 – The School of Science at Miami Dade College (MDC) will host the STEM+ Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Symposium at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at MDC North Campus Conference Center. The event will focus on the training and recognition of up-and-coming researchers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and humanities. MDC Provost Dr. Malou C. Harrison will deliver remarks and MDC North Campus President Fermin Vazquez will welcome symposium attendees. The event will also be livestreamed.

“This interdisciplinary showcasing of students’ research in STEM and humanities fields is an exciting opportunity to bring research students together,” said Dr. Victor Okafor, MDC Dean of the School of Science.  “It is a testament to Miami Dade College’s focus to put students first, particularly utilizing the high-impact and efficacious practice of authentic undergraduate research.”

The symposium will showcase the original research of about 80 MDC students who worked alongside MDC faculty from external partners, including the University of Florida, the University of Miami, Nova Southeastern University, Florida Atlantic University, St. Thomas University and Applied Biotech, Inc. As part of the School of Science’s Summer STEM Research Institute and year-round research program, the event features research projects covering a wide variety of fields, including biology, physics, chemistry, microbiology, engineering and technology.

Undergraduate research is a hands-on learning activity that enriches a student’s experience. Participation in research broadens and deepens the students’ classroom learning and supports the development of a range of professional skills for the workforce or in pursuit of advanced degrees in STEM, humanities, or other areas. This year, the Symposium will feature students’ humanities research projects conducted under the Humanities Edge grant program funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

“The scope of the creativity and research interests of MDC students across campuses is unprecedented in the humanities,” said Dr. Michaela Tomova, MDC Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and PI for the Humanities Edge grant. “This is our first interdisciplinary undergraduate research symposium and I commend each of our students, faculty mentors, learning resource professionals and librarians for their initiative and dedication.”

The Symposium’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Luis Echegoyen, an esteemed national science leader and 2020 President of the American Chemical Society. Dr. Echegoyen is an educator with expansive experience in positive policymaking for advancing student achievement. He has extensive academic research experience and has served as faculty at the University of Puerto Rico, University of Maryland, the University of Miami, Louis Pasteur University in Strasbourg, France, ETH in Zurich, Switzerland, Clemson University, South Carolina and the University of Texas at El Paso, where he was the Robert A. Welch Chair Professor of Chemistry. He was also Director of the Chemistry Division at the National Science Foundation from August 2006 until August 2010, where he was instrumental in establishing new funding programs and research centers, many benefiting minority students. His published work consists of 385 research articles and 47 book chapters.  Additionally, he has facilitated more than 410 scientific invited lectures and presentations, and he is the recipient of multiple prestigious awards.

Livestream will be available at www.mdc.edu/livestream

For more information, please contact Dr. Victor I. Okafor, Dean of the School of Science, 305-237-1757, [email protected].