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STEM + Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Symposium 2023: Chemical Sciences

Chemical Sciences
Overcoming Barriers : Exploring Gut-Microbial Metabolites for Better Drug Delivery Across the Blood- Brain Barrier Towards Carbon-Based Nanotechnology: Spontaneous Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Aqueous Antioxidant Nanoparticles from Curcumin. Deep Eutectic Solvents as Sustainable Electrolytes
D. Nicolas Ayala Jennay Bailey Maria Barredo

D.N.A stands for Dario Nicolas Ayala. He is an Ecuadorian American. He has been blessed to have lived in the States, South America and Asia which has significantly widened his perspective in all aspects of life. He has a strong devotion to all sciences, but more specifically the respective fields of neurology and pathology. Currently finishing his associate in biology and pursuing a Bachelors in either Biochemistry or Molecular biology and Immunology. If all goes as planned, he will become a Neuropathologist in the future with the goal of framing his practice with a holistic mindset. He hopes to start his own medical facility that focuses on personalized medicine. In addition, He plans to feed his creative and entrepreneur side of by designing fashion statements such as rings, necklaces, and artistic pieces. This would be his second year participating in research. He has completed research with Miami Dade College School of Science Institute, American Heart Association, and the University of Miami Agatemor Laboratory. Some of his strong qualities would be his ability to see change as an opportunity for growth, his honesty, and his natural tendency to think critical in all situations, big or small.

She is currently a chemistry undergraduate student with 4 plus years of lab experience. She is an ambitious science student and aims to be at the forefront of new and immersive research findings. She enjoys investigating the scientific world as she believes research is a fundamental contribution to society. She is furthering her career as a researcher to aid in not only understanding each other as a community but also assists in understanding the mechanisms of life.

A second-year student at Miami Dade College studying toward an Associate of Arts in Biology. She was taught to strive for excellence in everything she does, and she is grateful for the opportunity to partake in cancer research through the School of Science and the University of Miami. She has been recognized for her GPA and has been on the Dean’s List. Currently, she is a member of the Forensic Science Crime Scene Investigation Club at MDC and a STEM-Mia Scholar. Maria always loved science and became fascinated by DNA and genetics when she was just twelve years old. Since then, she has been determined to become a forensic DNA analyst. Maria plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and eventually a Ph.D.

     
Drug Discovery and Design: Kappa-Opioid Receptors Antagonists Inhibitors Affinity Synthesis of Ferrocene Complexes as Potential Guests for Cucurbits Computational Study of the Interaction of the Antibiotic Sulfamethoxazole and ( 3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane
Brenda Davila Daniela De la Rosa Labrada Lesly Delgado

Current president of the Sigma Zeta Science and Mathematics Honor Society, an active member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and a senator of the Student Government Association. She has worked as an intern at the Nanoscience Laboratory Chemistry Department at the University of Miami and obtained a Computational and Theoretical Chemistry certificate from the America Chemical Society. She is currently working under the mentorship of Dr. Dinesh Vidhani, where she engages in a research project on Kappa-opioid receptors Drug-discovery. It’s been thrilling to explore the biomolecular and structural aspects of computational chemistry.

 

A first-year student at Miami Dade College, Padron Campus. She is pursuing an AA Degree in Biology and actively volunteers at Baptist Health Hospital, where she makes a positive impact by assisting and supporting patients. She is actively involved in the Pre-Health Society Club, where she serves as the treasurer on the executive board. During her leisure time she enjoys visiting The Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science to explore the exhibitions. Driven by her curiosity and passion for all scientific fields, Daniela aspires to actively engage in research to expand her understanding of the world around her. She desires to transfer to an Ivy League University to further her education, and her goal is to attend medical school to become a compassionate and proficient Medical Doctor.

Lesly Delgado is attending SAS North Campus while pursuing an associate degree at MDC. She aspires to get into a renowned university such as the University of Miami to continue with her bachelor’s in biology. The utmost goal for her would be to become a neurosurgeon or a pediatrics reconstructive plastic surgeon.

     
Anti-metastatic Property of Mannosamine Analogs Removal of Nickel By Grafted Cellulosic Materials: A Review Identifications of Microplastics and Pollen in Honey
Irina Dorko Anthony Gonzalez Cristobal A. Ibarra
A bachelor's student in biopharmaceutical concentration in the North Campus, entering his fourth year. He achieved Dean's list every fall and spring semester at MDC with a GPA of 4.0. His passion has always been in Research. He was fortunate to be accepted to participate in the study of the chemical induction of pluripotent stem cells at the University of Miami. The immune system, stem cells, and cancer are his major interests today. His inspiration for the field comes from his work at a Hospice organization and volunteering there. 

A second-year student at Miami Dade College. Looking to pursue a career in Physical Chemistry. A first-generation Hispanic who is aspiring to work in a lab someday. He plans on going to the University of Florida and continuing his college career striving for a Ph.D. in either Chemistry or Physics.

A second-year Miami Dade College student at Homestead Campus. He’s been to one symposium before at the Homestead Campus where he was presenting two different projects, which were chemistry related. He is new to research as he just started this year but loves chemistry related research as it’s his field of interest. He is currently pursuing his AA but will transfer to Florida International University to continue his goal of a bachelor’s in chemistry.

     
Nature’s Defense: Investigating Antioxidant Activity in Medicinal Plant Extracts of Mexican Pepper Leaf (Piper auritum), and American Beauty Berry (Callicarpa americana) Developing Kappa Opioid Receptor Antagonist Study of the Pre-polymerization Complex Between Sulfamethoxazole and 3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane
Jeslly Louis Daniela Marquez Paulin Jonathan Mikanovsky

A first-year college student at Miami Dade Honors College, North Campus, majoring in Biology. She is a senator of the Student Government Association at Miami Dade North Campus and a member of the YES club. This Summer, Ms. Louis was accepted to work with the Saint Thomas University Chemistry Department, researching a possible solution to fight cancer cells through plants. Ms. Louis demonstrates professionalism through all her work and is very detailed oriented. In addition, she has shown her leadership skills through the various project she has worked on and has never missed a deadline. As a biology major, she looks forward to kicking off her career on the right path and becoming a great Molecular Biologist.

A second-year student at Miami Dade College, Padron Campus perusing a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. Ultimately, she plans to become a Dentist and bring all the knowledge achieved in research to this field. Her goal for the future is to develop revolutionary technics to better dental health all around the world. A student at the School for Advanced Studies North Campus. He is majoring in Chemistry on a pre-med track and wants to become an ophthalmologist. He loves Harry Potter, Star Wars, basketball, and baseball. He is an AP National Hispanic Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, and HSF Scholar. He is also a Youth Leadership Broward Alumni, Diller Fellow Alumni, CTeen Leader, and a StandWithUs Kenneth Leventhal Intern. Research at MDC with Professor Dominguez is an amazing opportunity to grow as a chemistry major while also participating in a pioneering field of research that protects the environment. After finishing high school, he hopes to attend Brown University to finish his undergraduate degree.
     
Removal of Arsenic by Cellulosic Materials: A Review Kappa Opioids Receptor Inhibitors Computational study of the interaction of the antibiotic Sulfamethoxazole and 4-vinylpyridine
Geraldine O’Hallorans Desiree Perez Rolando Perez

Geraldine O’Hallorans was born in Chile to a Chilean mother and a Cuban father and traveled to the U.S at a young age with her family. She attended high school at Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High in North Miami and is currently in her first year seeking an associate degree in Biology at the Miami Dade Honors College in the North Campus. She follows a rigorous academic schedule while also being a member of various clubs in the North Campus such as the president of the YES! Club president, vice president of the National Alliance on Mental Health, director of the Honors College of Phi Theta Kappa, secretary of the Pride Club. In the time she has available between classes, she is a tutor for chemistry and mathematics and has completed 90 hours of tutoring so far. Ms. O’Hallorans is also heavily involved with the STEM PACTS project at the North Campus, where she assists in the events that the School of Science hosts such as the Interdisciplinary STEM Symposium and the STEAM Exposition. Apart from this, she hosts seminars once a semester on health-related topics such as HIV, AIDS, contraception, and personal hygiene to students at Miami Dade College and attended the Narrow Ridge Field experience in Tennessee where she learned about environmental sustainability and green building, she is going to implement a project in the fall relating to environmental sustainability in her college campus. She is interested in pursuing a career in Dentistry or Chemical Engineering and plans to transfer to Stanford to pursue her bachelor’s in chemistry.

Originally from Cuba and has been living in the US for 6 years. She is a second-year student at Miami Dade College, Eduardo Padron Campus. She is currently pursuing her AA in Biology, with the expectation of transferring to FIU or UM to complete her bachelor’s degree in biology. Her aspirations are entering medical school where she will complete her career in the medical field in order to be a Pathologist or Neurologist. She has been a member of PTK, NSLS, as well as the grant STEM- MIA. Desiree has also participated in the 2022 S- STEM Symposium in Washington DC. As well as volunteered from 2017- 2020 at Seminole Elementary School in the After School Care Program. Lastly, she has donated to St. Jude Childrens Hospital since 2021. Desiree worked throughout the 2023 Spring Semester in the Kappa Opioids Receptor, the same research that she is conducting throughout the summer. Besides her academic work and her job as a technician in training at Walgreens Pharmacy, she loves writing, dancing, reading, and roller skating. She’s a very enthusiastic and persistent person who believes that everything is possible. A high school student from the School for Advanced Studies (which is the best high school in Florida and the 4th in the nation) and is currently in his first year at Miami Dade College pursuing his associate degree. His hobbies include working out and playing sports with his friends. He plans on going to either the University of Miami or Florida International University in order to continue his bachelor’s degree in biology. He plans to pursue a career as a sports health physician or a family health physician.
     
Computational study of the interaction of the antibiotic Sulfamethoxazole and 3-(2-aminoethyl)-3- aminopropyltrimethoxysilane Synthesis of Ferrocene Complexes as Potential Guests for Cucurbits Chemometrics of Honey Using Optical Activity
Karen Pimentel Ivanna Quintero Gabriela Simon
A student at the School for Advanced Studies in Miami Dade North Campus. She is a biology major trying to gain research experience and greater knowledge. Some of her hobbies are working out and studying. She plans to attend FIU or UM to get her bachelor’s degree in biology. Her goal is to become a dermatologist in the future and put up her own clinic. Finishing her first year at Miami Dade College Honors College. She is pursuing a major in Biology. After witnessing her mother wholeheartedly take care of numerous patients at a clinic, she knew at an early age that she also wanted to go into the health field. Her interest in this profession stemmed from her goal of wanting to help others and desire to make an impact. In the future, she hopes to follow her mom’s example and become an anesthesiologist at a children's hospital. Ivanna strives to take every opportunity she can as she will continue this path by taking a research program in the 2023 summer semester as well as an internship later on. In her most recent project, Ivanna is volunteering at the Miami-Dade Animal Services Pet Adoption and Protection Center. She is focusing on assisting the community by taking care of shelter pets and becoming involved in their daily lives. From this ongoing experience she has learned patience, compassion, and hard work. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she plans to attend graduate school to further her knowledge in biology and aspires to pursue her career as an anesthesiologist. A second-year student at the Honors College at the Miami Dade College Homestead Campus. She is currently studying Chemistry and is very enthusiastic about creating a career based upon pathology or pediatric medicine. After getting her associate in chemistry, she plans on transferring to a 4-year institution. Thanks to the School of Science, she is able to gain an insight on working in a lab, and how to handle doing research. She has previously been part of research that worked on the HIV reverse transcriptase process and is now working on the chemometrics of honey. Gabriela is specifically working with how the optical activity of honey and its specific angle of rotation can be used to find if honey has been adulterated. Outside of school, she is Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa, and is trying to introduce the Biological Honor Society to her campus. Not only that, but she has created a book club that meets weekly, to analyze books and their effect on society.
     
Computational study on the interaction between the antibiotic Sulfamethoxazole and 3-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane Influence of Choline and Geranic Acid Deep Eutectic Solvent in Electrochemical Properties of Ferrocene Preservaton of Rna Using Various Deep Eutectic Solvent Room Temperture
Maxwell Sultz Jose David Valles Laura Villarson
A dedicated student open to opportunity, he is a 2nd year student at Miami Dade College and Senior at the School for Advanced Studies North. Maxwell is majoring in Biology with a Pre-Med focus and is hoping to become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. A runner on his cross-country team, an advocate for Holocaust education, and an Eagle Scout. A Chemistry/Biochemistry student at the University of Florida, minoring in Mathematics and Pathogenesis. MDC alumnus with an AA in Chemistry, where he also took the role of chemistry tutor at MDC Kendall Campus for about a year. Research motivated, with papers published as a co-author, for instance, “Enhanced Fluorescence in Geranic Acid Deep Eutectic Solvents.” He is currently building his way to the research field, planning to pursue a combined MD/Ph.D. program focused on natural medicine with the goal of improving drug delivery and metabolization in living organisms. A sophomore at Miami Dade College. She is currently pursuing an AA degree in Biology with plans to complete a bachelor’s degree in bio pharmaceutical here at Miami Dade college. She inspires to be a conservationist veterinarian traveling the world doing research as well.