Samikshya Pokharel

Samikshya Pokharel of Nepal is an international Biochemistry major with a 3.8 GPA and has consistently been on the Dean’s List. She is also an Honors student and is currently involved in a research honors program.

At Ramapo, Samikshya is a part of the Student Government Organization, where she serves as the TAS School Senator. She also takes part in the International Student Organization and various clubs on campus.

Joseph DiTaranto

“Wisdom comes from experience, even though experience is often a result of a lack of wisdom,” says Joseph DiTaranto of Totowa, N.J.. 

Joseph is a biology major with aspirations to attend dental school. He has a 4.0 GPA and is consistently on the Dean’s list. He is also a proud recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Leadership by a First Year Student Award and the Changebuilder’s Scholars Award.

At Ramapo, Joseph has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Biology Club, Peer Facilitation Program, and RCNJ Young Life. In all three organizations, he has demonstrated a commitment to service and volunteerism in the Ramapo College community. Joseph has also been involved in off-campus activities and organizations, including service-based tutoring with Million Reasons and Teaneck Tutoring.

Rachel Edudzi

“I’ve always wanted to be a medical doctor,” says Rachel Edudzi of Agobozume, Ghana. Rachel is a Biochemistry major with a 3.97 GPA.

She is proud to have made the Dean’s List every semester since freshman year. She’s also a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship and the ACS Organic Chemistry Achievement Award.

Rachel comes from a family of four and has a younger sister. She loves reading, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.
In Ghana, she is involved with an organization called Liquid Love Foundation.

Her current interest is in cancer research, and she hopes to make groundbreaking discoveries during her career. After graduation, Rachel plans on applying to an M.D./Ph.D program.

Kyle Cowing

Kyle Cowing of Hopatcong, N.J. is an Engineering Physics major with a Math minor. After graduating Lenape Valley Regional High School in 2011, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, deploying twice over four years with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines. At Ramapo, he has participated in the Veteran Student Organization, and interned at NJIT over the summer of 2019.

Rachel Edudzi

Rachel Bubune Edudzi of Agbozume, located in the Volta Region of Ghana, is a Biochemistry major and plans to become a medical doctor. She has a 3.8 GPA, and is on the Dean’s List.  “I am a hardworking, persistent, and ambitious student,” Rachel says.  “My goal is to apply to medical school and become fluent in French by the end of my undergraduate degree.”

Calla Chennault

Calla Chennault of Waldwick, N.J. is a senior Computer Science major and Mathematics minor. She has a 3.9 GPA. Calla is a member of the Females in STEM Club and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society at Ramapo. She is in her second year of working as a Math tutor in the Math and Science Tutoring Center on campus.

This summer, Calla worked as a Software Engineering Intern at Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon. Her work was focused on parallel programming. Previously, Calla worked as a Supplemental Instructor for the Ramapo EOF program.

Post-graduation, Calla plans to work in software development before pursuing graduate school for Computer Science.

Marco Salazar

Marco Salazar of Ridgefield Park, N.J. dreams of becoming a neurologist. He knows that to reach his goal, he will incur considerable debt. On learning of his scholarship, he said “I would like to let you know that your financial contribution means more to me that just helping me with the cost of my education. Being selected for this scholarship means that there are people rooting for my success.”

Marco is a Biology major and serves on the E-board of the Pre-Med Club on campus. He volunteers his time off campus as a driver for Meals on Wheels.

He has a 3.8 GPA and has made the Dean’s List several times.

Ivaylo Nenovski

International student Ivaylo Nenovski says of his experience so far at Ramapo, “My professors and the people I have met here have helped me shape my personality and have changed my views of the world.” Ivaylo is from Vratsa, Bulgaria and is majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics. He has a 3.888 GPA.

Ivaylo is president of the Robotics Club and a member of the Computers and Tech club at the College.  During the summers, he has worked as a computer science instructor at ID Tech camps.

After graduation, Ivaylo wants to pursue a career in software engineering.

Michael Flood

Michael Flood of Pequannock, NJ is an Environmental Science major with a minor in Earth Science.  He has a 4.0 GPA.

On campus, Michael is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and 1 Step (Students Together for Environmental Progress).  He is also a tutor for Environmental Chemistry.

In addition to volunteering for the Boy Scouts, Michael has worked on an organic farm in Wantage, NJ for the past 14 years, initially as a volunteer, where he has learned about agriculture and farm operations.  He recently applied for a Northeastern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant from the USDA looking at using birds on farms as a way to curb insect destruction on plants.

“Post-graduation, I would like to go into the field of forest management or work in an agricultural extension department doing soil/plant analyses and educating people on various sustainable agricultural practices. “

Ryan Ludvigsen

Ryan Ludvigsen of Wanaque, N.J., is a biochemistry major. He has a 3.78 grade point average.
At Ramapo, Ryan is working on a research project with Jay Carreon, Ph.D. to study the synthesis of hydrazones as antibiotics. He is a student aide in the office of the School of Theoretical and Applied Science and a chemistry and organic chemistry tutor. Ryan is a member of Ramapo’s cross country and track and field teams.
Ryan plans to attend a graduate program to earn a doctorate in physical therapy.

Abigail Ameri

Last summer Abigail Ameri did research at Rutgers under their RiSE program, and her successes were highlighted in a feature article for Rutgers Today. Abigail had Lyme Disease as a teen, so her research focuses on tickborne diseases. Currently a junior at Ramapo, Abigail is majoring in Bioinformatics and has earned a 3.94 grade point average. She is also an active member of the Journal club and the School of Theoretical and Applied Science honors program.

Akhlema Haidar

During elementary school and high school in her hometown of Paterson, NJ, Akhlema Haidar participated in two outreach programs for academically- talented students run by Ramapo Chemistry professor Carol Frishberg. She enrolled at Ramapo College to pursue a degree in Biochemistry, and has a 3.68 grade point average. She will earn her degree in three years. Akhlema worked on research projects during the summer, one sponsored by the American Chemical Society and one with Ramapo Professor Tom Owen. “I believe these experiences have led her to the decision to puruse an MD/Ph.D. program,” says Dr. Frishberg. Akhlema is an active member of the Pre-Med Club, South Asians at Ramapo and the Muslim Students Association.

Julie Truong

Julie Truong has been working for three years on research projects with faculty members in the School of Theoretical and Applied Science. She is a senior majoring in Biochemistry who has earned a 3.56 grade point average. Julie is a member of the Pre-Med Club, the Biology Club and Chemistry/Biochemistry Club. She works as a chemistry teaching assistant and biology tutor. She is a member of the chemistry student honor society (Phi Lambda Upsilon and the Ramapo chapter of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Undergraduate Affiliated Network. Julie is from Mahwah, NJ.

Ivaylo Balabanov

Ivaylo Balabanov is a junior Biochemistry major who has earned a 4.00 grade point average. Ivaylo is a native of Bulgaria. He is currently working with Professor Sarah Carberry on a research project called “Synthesis and Identification of Molecular Jumper Cables.” He works on campus as a laboratory technician for the TAS biology labs, and in the George T. Potter Library. Ivaylo is a member of the Biology Club, the Chemistry Club, and the International Student Organization. “I plan on pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry and then would like to become a professor,” he says.

I am planning on continuing my education and pursuing a Ph.D. in Biochemistry. This scholarship is encouraging me that I am on the right track.