The Mario M. Casabona Future Scientists Program encourages students to recognize the importance of oral communication skills and the ability to discuss the results of scholarship effectively with various audiences and at all levels. The Program motivates, trains and rewards students for the preparation and delivery of effective communication of scientific research to the general public and non-science professionals. Such presentation and communication skills provide students with the capacity to be distinctly competitive and successful in their subsequent educational and career paths. Students/Mentors will be selected from each department to compete.
On November 28 2023 from 2:00 – 5:30 pm in CELS, teams of students will present five minute, five slide presentations judged by our panel of professionals for awards. Students are presenting their research in both a poster session and five-minute oral presentations led handling the oral presentation.
Awards
| First Place | Second Place | Third Place | Best Mentor | Audience Favorite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2000 | $1500 | $1000 | $1500 | $500 |
Presenters
- Improving the Safety of Viral Vectors for Use in the Central Nervous System
- Karla Gallardo, BS in Biology Student
- Malak Saleh, BS in Biology Student
- Mentored by Dr. Chris Suriano, Department of Biology
- Like sushi? You’re going to love this – First Place & Best Mentor
- Wendy E. Islas, BS in Molecular Biology Student
- Melissa Spigelman, MS in Molecular Biology Student
- Mentored by Dr. Carlos Molina, Department of Biology
- A potential TB target – Third Place
- Uchenna Ezichi, MS in Chemistry Student
- Citlaly Hernandez, BS in Biochemistry Student
- Crystal Montero, MS in Pharmaceutical Biochemistry Student
- Mentored by Dr. Nina Goodey, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Polymer assisted energy material synthesis
- Michael Arik, BS in Biochemistry Student
- Arya Patel, BS in Biochemistry Student
- Mentored by Dr. Amrita Sarkar, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Data Use to Address Climate Change: Energy Innovation and Energy Efficiency
- Estefania Orjeula Parra, BS in Data Science and Economics Student
- Sara Reper, BS in Sustainability Science Student
- Mentored by Dr. Amy Tuininga, Department of Earth and Environmental Studies
- Biodiversity in Urban Areas: Corporate and Community Approaches
- Diana Bachiller, BS in Sustainability Science and Earth & Environmental Science Student
- Ben Bratter, BS in Earth & Environmental Science Student
- Mentored by Dr. Josh Galster, Department of Earth and Environmental Studies
- Graph Polynomials of Hexagonal Chains
- Jessica Scheinbaum, BS in Mathematics Student
- Mentored by Dr. Aihua Li, Department of Mathematics
- Montclair Experimental Nuclear Physics: discovering, exploring, and understanding nuclear matter with neutrons and cryogenic technology – Audience Favorite
- Sarah Estupinan Jimenez, BS in Physics Student
- Becky Blitz, BS in Physics Student
- Roxanne Caicedo, BS in Computer Science and Physics Student
- Yssabella Baptiste
- Eric Swanson, BS in Physics Student
- Mentored by Dr. Kent Leung, Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Creating an Immersive and Interactive VR Game for Advancing Elementary Education – Second Place
- Anthony Condegni, BS in Computer Science Student
- Jianna Loor, MS in Computer Science Student
- Mentored by Dr. Rui Li, School of Computing
Judges
Mr. Mario Casabona
Founder and Managing Partner
Casabona Ventures, LLC
CSAM Advisory Board Member
Mr. Mario M. Casabona is an entrepreneur and active angel investor. In 2012, he founded TechLaunch, committed to identifying and nurturing early stage tech ventures by mentoring, coaching, and providing access to resources and capital. To date, TechLaunch has supported over 200 tech companies and mentored over 350 aspiring entrepreneurs. In 2006, he founded Casabona Ventures, investing in over 50 seed and early stage companies. In 1982, he founded Electro-Radiation Inc., which was acquired by Honeywell International (Aerospace Group) in 2004. He received the Small Business Administration National Tibbett’s Award for his contributions in technology, and was listed as one of the top five most influential persons in New Jersey technology by The Star-Ledger. He was twice recognized by the New Jersey Technology Council, (now TechUnited:NJ) first as the recipient of their Financier of the Year Award and subsequently their Legend of Technology Award. He is Chairman Emeritus of Jumpstart NJ Angel Network and Chairman Emeritus of the R&D Council of New Jersey. He also enjoys serving on the Boards of various for-profit and non-for-profit organizations. Mr. Casabona is an electrical engineer and holds twelve national and international patents in the field of satellite-based navigation and communications.
Meg Columbia-Walsh
Director, Global Market Market Leader, Healthcare and Life Sciences
AWS (Amazon Web Services)
Meg Columbia-Walsh is one of the most successfully exited female tech entrepreneurs and CEOs in the country building and selling 4 companies to the Fortune 200 and an IPO. Those include: HealthTech Digital, Founder and CEO – Sold to Interpublic Group (IPG); CBSHealthWatch, Founder and CEO, the first commercial website for consumers – Sold 33% to CBS Corp. and then led an IPO; Oncology.com, CEO – Sold to Pharmacia and Upjohn and Inverse Mobile, Founder and CEO – Sold to Ernst & Young. She is also a co-founder and investor in Wylei Inc., a Marketing Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning company. Meg is also a Columbia University Alumni and coached as well.
Meg feels that record is critical to promote to younger entrepreneurs as it is a rare accomplishment for men or women. But for LGBTQ+ men and women, the funding and recognition is still a huge challenge. She was awarded the StartOUT Ogilvy Innovator of the Year Award and that was one of her most cherished. Corporations are beginning to put real effort into Diversity and Inclusion, but until the actions match the public relations, she feels we have tremendous work left to do.
Stephen Dyer
Founder and Managing Member
SRD Capital Management
Stephen Dyer is the managing member of SRD Capital Management, LLC which he established in September 2006 after 22 years on Wall Street including 18 years at UBS Financial Services (and its predecessor Paine Webber Inc). SRD Capital was formed to pursue investment opportunities as well as to assist entities looking for asset management, financial or capital formation assistance. He is an investor in many early-stage companies and is also an Advisor or on the Board of Directors of several of the companies.
Prior to forming SRD Capital, Steve worked in the partnership product area for most of his UBS career. In 1998, Steve was promoted to Senior Vice President and Director of Private Investments. Investor capital was raised in a variety of asset classes including: research & development, net lease real estate, cable television, mezzanine finance, equipment leasing, aircraft leasing, exchange funds, and feeder vehicles into established private equity funds. His group was responsible for identifying and sourcing non-traded product for the private client network as well as the ongoing asset management and monitoring of all non-traded investments distributed by the firm. Steve received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1981 from Boston College and his Master of Business Administration from Indiana University in December 1984. He is a Certified Public Accountant having started his career in the audit group of Ernst & Young predecessor Arthur Young & Company in 1981.
Mercedes M. Rivero
Assistant Dean of Admissions
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School