From left to right: Alexander Ng; Andrew Nunez; Alisha Memon; Mostafa Sadoqi, Ph.D.; Ishmal Siddiqui; Muhtasim Hossain; Sedariest Hammond; Gen Long, Ph.D.
April 13, 2018
St. John’s University now offers students in its science disciplines new opportunities for research, professional development, and graduate school preparation. The Materials Research Society (MRS) has approved a petition to create a University chapter at St. John’s.
The petition to create the St. John’s MRS chapter was submitted by Physics Professor and Chair Mostafa Sadoqi, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor Gen Long, Ph.D., after both faculty members attended the biannual MRS meeting. Drs. Sadoqi and Long will serve as the chapter’s faculty advisors, and eight students from the departments of Physics, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences will become its initial members. Among those eight, Andrew Nunez will serve as chapter president, Sedariest Hammond as vice-president, Ishmal Siddiqui as secretary, and Alexander Ng as treasurer. Students from all majors are invited to join this interdisciplinary group. "The MRS chapter at St. John's seeks to engage students in the beautiful world of materials research, which seeks to improve the everyday lives of humanity," said Mr. Hammond.
Founded in 1973, and headquartered in Warrendale, PA, MRS is a fast-growing organization of over 14,000 members from more than 90 countries around the world. As members, St. John’s students will be eligible to receive $500 travel awards to attend MRS meetings twice a year, as well as gain access to special project grants, networking opportunities, and distinguished speaker events on campus.
Dr. Long, whose research background is in materials science, hopes the MRS chapter will help motivate and prepare St. John’s undergraduates for graduate school and careers that they might not otherwise pursue. “I think the MRS chapter will open students’ eyes and show them the opportunities that are out there for them,” he said.
Along with its robust Society of Physics Students (SPS) chapter, the Department of Physics at St. John’s offers students many ways to spark and develop an interest in the physical sciences.