Math and Science Faculty Members Bring NSF S-STEM Program to St. John’s

September 29, 2016

Five faculty members spanning four departments have secured scholarship funding for SJU undergraduates as part of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) Program. Associate Professor and Chair of ChemistryAlison G. Hyslop, Ph.D.; Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of Environmental StudiesDianella G. Howarth, Ph.D.; Associate Professor of Chemistry and PhysicsGina M. Florio, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor of Physics Gen Long, Ph.D.; and Associate Professor of Mathematics and Computer ScienceDavid Rosenthal, Ph.D. received a grant from the NSF grant in order to engage students from more diverse backgrounds with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The program is now accepting applications for fall 2017.

“As a group of scientists and mathematicians, we thought about how diverse groups solve problems better than groups composed of people of the same backgrounds,” said Hyslop. “In the program, diverse groups of students will approach the problems from their own expertise in chemistry, biology, math, and physics, and together, they will be able to come up with unique solutions. Also, as the problems that are addressed become more complicated, more diverse groups will be needed to approach and solve these problems.”

The scholarship funds from the grant further the University’s core values of opportunity, service, and excellence.

As part of the program, second-year students majoring in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics will receive scholarships, research support, academic support, and the opportunity to work together across disciplines developing solutions for real-world, global problems. Students in the program who have demonstrated financial need will receive a scholarship of up to $5,000 for up to three years.

Said Hyslop: “We are providing scholarships for students in their final three years at the University. These scholarships will help science and math majors complete their degrees in four years with extra financial support. The students in the cohort will work together and support each other in their studies. They will also have the support of the faculty who are involved in the grant.”

To apply, students must be entering their second year of study at SJU with a major in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics and an overall GPA of 3.0 or above. They must also submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), two letters of recommendation from SJU faculty members -- at least one of whom is a math or science professor -- and a personal statement demonstrating their interest in addressing global issues using STEM, an interest they must also be prepared to discuss in interviews with the faculty.

Fall 2017 applications are due January 21, 2017, and application forms are available on the program page. For more information, please contact Hyslop at [email protected] or 718-990-6297.