Scholarships
J2 Scholarship
Merit based scholarship award for full time undergraduates students of high academic standing with unmet financial need in the Natural Sciences. Awards up to $11,500.
Scholarship for Academic Excellence in Mathematics and Computer Science
Merit based scholarship award to full time undergraduate students who have declared a major in mathematics and computer science at Purchase College. Preference will be given to students with high academic standing of a GPA of 3.50 or higher. Awards up to $10,000.
Summer Tech Scholarship
Scholarship award to full time undergraduate students with a major or minor in computer science. Preference will be given to students who integrate their study of computer science with film, music, or visual art. Awards up to $3,500.
MARC U*STAR Honors Program
The Purchase College Maximizing Access to Research Careers/Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (MARC U*STAR) Honors Program is sponsored by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences/National Institutes of Health (NIGMS/NIH).
The program supports academically talented students from groups underrepresented in STEM who intend to pursue a PhD or MD/PhD.
Support and Training in the Junior and Senior Years
- Tuition, fees, and health insurance
- $1,000 per month stipend
- 4 semesters of research at Purchase College
- 10-week national summer research experience
- Attendance at scientific conferences
- Bi-weekly program seminars
Meet Our Students
Jorge Acuna
I am a junior biology major. I received my associate’s degree from Rockland Community College (RCC) where I was vice president of my chapter of the beta beta beta Biological Honor Society. After my bacteriophage research experience with Dr. James Daly in the Purchase College Bridges Program, I implemented two new bacterial research models using M. marinum and M. aeruginosa with my colleagues at RCC. My M. marinum research focused on a fish pathogen related to M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis and my M. aeruginosa research focused on cyanobacterial blooms. I am working with Dr. Daly again this fall to continue research on bacteriophages and Renibacterium salmoninarum, a fish pathogen that causes bacterial kidney disease. After graduating from Purchase, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Microbiology or Virology.
Josue Flores
I am a third-year biology student, as well as a MARC U*STAR scholar and a J2 scholar. I am currently performing research with Dr. Elliott Abrams studying molecular processes functioning during early development using zebrafish embryos. Specifically, I am looking at expression levels of a gene that is related to brambleberry, which is involved in the process of fertilization. This fall I am also serving as a learning assistant for General Biology I. After obtaining my bachelor’s degree at Purchase College, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology.
Lina Ruiz
I am a third-year biology major. My fields of interest are evolution and genomics. I am working with Dr. Mark Jonas, investigating how changes in genome-wide methylation affect responses to elevated carbon dioxide in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. This past summer I participated in the Amgen Scholar Program at UC Berkeley, where I conducted research on phage-mediated protection against Pseudomonas syringae in tomato plants. Currently I am a Learning Assistant for General Biology I Lab. After graduating from Purchase College, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology.
Mennefer Blue
I am a junior psychology student. I am working with Dr. Yanine Hess this year examining the different responses people can have to social rejection. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I will pursue a doctorate in either clinical psychology or developmental psychology. I hope to conduct research on adolescents, specifically those at risk of dropping out, drug abuse, or juvenile delinquency. I wish to understand the factors that contribute to these negative consequences so that I may one day create a not-for-profit organization that will equip vulnerable young adults with the skills needed to reach their full potential.
Angelique Malcolm
I am a junior majoring in Biochemistry. I have previously worked with Dr. Mark Jonas researching how genome-wide methylation affects responses to elevated carbon dioxide in the model flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana. This year, I will be working with Dr. Elliott Abrams to investigate a novel gene related to brambleberry, which affects fertilization, and determine its function in embryogenesis. Specifically, I will be genotyping brambleberry mutants using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). I am eager to continue pursuing applications of biomedical sciences during my final undergraduate semesters. After receiving a bachelor’s degree at Purchase College, I plan to expand my research career and pursue a Ph.D. in Biochemistry.
Meet Our Graduates
Jordan Billups
I am a senior math/computer science major and I am interested in the intersection of computer science and biology. This past summer I participated in the Rosetta Commons REU at Northeastern University. As part of the internship, I added features to a puzzle-based human computation game which leverages human problem solving skills to predict protein structures and even design new proteins. In particular, my research focused on encouraging players to explore a broader range of possible puzzle solutions and, hopefully, generate more diverse structure predictions. I will be giving a poster presentation based the results of that research at ABRCMS in November and intend to continue the work for my senior project.
After graduating from Purchase College I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in bioinformatics.
Pamela Grigas
I am a senior psychology major and a MARC U*STAR scholar. This summer I was a research assistant at Columbia University and worked with my faculty mentor Dr. Van C. Tran on a project about gentrification and psychological well-being. This fall I am beginning my senior project with the guidance of my faculty advisor Dr. Krystal Perkins. My work will focus on racial stress and mental health/well-being. In addition, I am currently a teaching assistant for Research Methods I. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I plan to complete a Ph.D. in social or clinical psychology and study racial and ethnic differences in terms of racialized experiences, mental health, and health disparities.
Sarah Ann King
I am a third year biology major. I began college at Nassau Community College. I have had an interest in biology and biological technology for as long as I can remember. I am currently conducting research on the interactions of the antimicrobial peptide Maximin-3 and manufactured lipid membranes, under the supervision of Dr. Elizabeth Middleton. I serve as a peer tutor for General Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Statistics. Following the completion of my bachelor’s degree, I will pursue a doctoral degree and research career in regenerative medicine.