Congratulations to our graduating seniors!
Daniel Bamimore majored in aerospace engineering. Aerospace engineering entails vehicles that fly within and beyond the earth atmosphere. His involvements at Rutgers are but not limited to engineering ambassador; member of Theta Tau, a professional Co-ed engineering fraternity; American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA); Minority Engineering Education Task(MEET) and so on. He have had the opportunity to research in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, whereby he streamlined the propulsive features of a drone that flies underwater and in the air. he's also interned at New Jersey Department of Transportation(NJDOT) as a mechanical engineer, where he tackled issues related to energy management and HVAC systems. Upon graduating from Rutgers this May, he will be joining Boeing as an environmental controls system engineer in Everett, Washington. One of his favorite memories at Rutgers is playing intramural sports with friends.
Alexander Cid double majored in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. After graduating Rutgers, Alexander will be working as a Systems Engineer at L3Harris.
Tonai Crockett majored in Psychology with a minor in Dance. She is a member of Douglass Residential College and has worked on the executive boards of Douglass DIMACS Computing Corps as well as Douglass Friends of UNFPA. During her time at Rutgers, she has also been a member of the Aresty Research Program and a Scholar for the Institute for Research on Women. She was also an extern at Google, a Data Analytics Intern for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and is now a Research Assistant in the Rutgers REHAB lab. After graduation, Tonai plans to attend a post-baccalaureate program to help reach her goal of receiving a M.D/Ph.D.
Andrew Cruz is from North Bergen NJ. Andrew attended Rutgers University–New Brunswick, where he obtained his Bachelor’s of Arts in Chemistry. Andrew studied the binding properties of water soluble octamine hemicarcerands under Dr. Ralf Warmuth. For his post-graduation plans, Andrew will be pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Michigan beginning the Fall 2020 semester. Andrew ultimately wishes to become a chemistry professor to inspire students to think scientifically.
Bonnie de Almeida will complete her studies and graduate with a major in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Aerospace. She originally transferred from Rutgers Newark in the Fall of 2017 and the following year became an Engineering Ambassador for the School of Engineering. She is a sister of Phi Sigma Rho, one of the only engineering sororities here at Rutgers. During her time in the organization, she held the positions of Spirit Chair and Director of Recruitment. She interned at Revlon during the summer and L’oreal in the spring as a packaging engineer where she got to meet and learn from many wonderful engineers. Similarly she also got to Co-Op at Toyota as an Electrified Vehicle Control intern in the Powerdrain Division. Upon graduation she will be working as a system engineer at Raytheon. In the future, she dreams of building a school for impoverished children to help guide and prepare them towards the path of STEM by offering the education needed.
Michael Edwin is graduating with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. During his time at Rutgers, he has been involved in various aspects of the Rutgers community. He served as a Camp UKnight leader, LEX ambassador, and a LEX peer mentor for the Leadership and Experiential Learning Department. He was a scholar for the School of Engineering EOF program and Ronald E. McNair program where he completed the Summer Institute to prepare him for his graduate education. He was also involved in various organizations which include being a high school outreach mentor and research chair for the Minority Educational Engineering Task (MEET), Collegiate 100, Twese, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, and WRSU. He also gained the RU-1st chancellor award scholarship that enabled him to study abroad in Berlin, Germany, and interned at Dell Technologies. While also study Engineering, Michael also had a passion for music during his undergraduate years and he plans to utilize his degree to follow his dreams to pursue a Master's degree in Music Technology and later on become an Audio Engineer.
Jeffrey I. Garcia-Sanchez is from Lawrenceville, NJ. Jeffrey attended Rutgers University–New Brunswick, and obtained a Bachelor's of Arts in Biological Sciences. Jeffrey has studied the overexpression of nsLTPs in wheat as well as measuring the impact of exposure to green leaf volatiles for the purpose of combating Fusarium graminearum, a pathogenic fungus, in wheat. He worked under Dr. John McLaughlin, in the department of Plant Biology at Rutgers. After graduating, Jeffrey plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Integrated Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Carolina. Jeffrey ultimately wants to conduct research in virology, and become a professor, so he can guide students who may also want to pursue the sciences.
Alexa Garrido majored in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Energy. She transferred to Rutgers in Fall 2017 and became a mentor for transfer students in the School of Engineering the following year for the Transfer Integration Program. she interned at TRIAD Consulting Engineers as an engineering intern where she got to work closely with both Mechanical and Electrical Engineers. Alexa is a sister of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated where I have held various positions like treasurer, fundraising chair, and historian. She served as an LSAMP ambassador. Alexa plans to obtain a masters degree in mechanical engineering as well as an MBA.
Tiyon King has completed her B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering with two minors in Leadership Skills and Women & Gender Studies. During her time at Rutgers University, she has taken a great involvement in the School of Engineering and Black community on campus. She has served as a counselor for the School of Engineering's EOF Program and served on multiple organizations. She served as Freshmen Representative for the Society of Women Engineers. She has also served as the Freshmen Representative, Secretary, External Vice President, Senator, and President of the Minority Engineering Educational Task, the Rutgers University Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. She has worked at the Paul Robeson Cultural Center since her freshman year and serves as the Membership Chair for the Collegiate 100. She has studied abroad in the Dominican Republic with the Center for Latino Arts and interned at Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and Bank of America. After graduation, Tiyon plans on solo travelling prior to beginning her full-time role as a Technology Analyst.
Chelsea Morand majored in Materials Science and Engineering. After transferring from the School of Arts and Sciences to the School of Engineering at the start of her fourth year, she was able to finish her degree in 5 years. During her time in SOE, she was an REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) participant at Portland State University for 8 weeks in the summer of 2019 with the project titled "Testing the Reliability of Lead-Free Solder Balls". Chelsea will soon have her name on publication for this project. She presented this research at the NSBE Fall Regional Conference and placed second in the Technical Research Exhibition. After conducting research at Portland State, she began research at Rutgers University. Her project was "Protection against UV Light using Self-made Sol-gels". She successfully made a sol-gel that prevented 80% of UV transmission. After graduation, Chelsea plans on attending graduate school after working for a year.
Brenda Okereke majored in Biomedical Engineering. She served as research chair for 3 years in MEET and as a Research Advisory Board member for Douglass Residential College. She conducted research for over six years and specifically at Rutgers has conducted research on topics ranging from dopaminergic stem cells, spinal cord injury and age related macular degeneration. Her favorite LSAMP experience was volunteering to read to young students for a literacy campaign her sophomore year. She chose to become an LSAMP ambassador to serve at a higher capacity, have a broader impact on the program and share her experiences as a minority in STEM. She interned at Picatinny Arsenal as an Engineering Intern, Matheny Medical Educational Center and as Procurement Intern at Johnson & Johnson World Headquarters. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated where she serves as the chair of the educational committee. After graduation, Brenda plans to attend a post-bacc program to further her goals of obtaining her PhD or MD/PhD in Biomedical Engineering.
Sidney Ramirez is a first generation Dominican woman, graduating with a bachelor degree in Animal Science. She is thankful to have been a SEBS EOF scholar, a Douglass woman, and apart of LSAMP. These support systems have made her journey better than she could have ever imagined. Upon graduation she will be working as a Veterinary Assistant at Westfield Animal Hospital and in the near future she intends to go Graduate School.
Katherine Rodriguez obtained a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture and a Green Technology minor from the School Of Environmental and Biological Science. During her time at Rutgers, she acquired an internship with the Rutgers University Golf Course as a Landscape Architecture Intern. This internship allowed her to design and build an ecological entrance for the golf course, having mind both the needs of usera and the ecology around the area. The internship led to the start and the successful completion of a George H. Cook Honors Thesis on the golf course's stormwater management and stream restoration. She had the opportunity to also design and act as project manager on a Urban Agricultural Garden for SEBS academic office. Katherine would like to pursue a masters in urban design or Architecture with the hope of becoming a well rounded landscape architect. Her goal is to eventually be a voice and representation for people of color and underprivileged communities through her field of work- amplifying and clearing the rights and ownerships that these communities deserve, by blending the harsh line between landscape architecture and a community.
Shakir Valentine majored in Environmental Policy, Institutions and Behavior (Human Ecology) in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. While on campus, Shakir served has a member of Helyar House and as president of the Collegiate 100 Rutgers Chapter. After graduation, Shakir will be working as an Environmental Health Specialist for Amazon. Shakir also plans to obtain an MBA.
Celena White majored in Exercise Science with a minor in Africana Studies. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Education Opportunity Fund (EOF), Office for Diversity and Academic Success in the Sciences (ODASIS). She plans to obtain a PhD in Physical Therapy specializing in elderly rehabilitation. Her ultimate goal is to establish nursing homes in underserved communities.