Samikshya Pokharel

Samikshya Pokharel of Nepal is a sophomore Biochemistry major with a 3.75 GPA.

In Nepal, Samikshya volunteered in the construction of 10 different cottages and managed sanitary hygiene in camps after a disastrous earthquake.

On campus, she is President of Elixir and ECO Club. She’s also an active member of the International Student Organization, Social Work Club, and the SAIL program.

Alexa Torres

Alexa Torres of Bordentown, N.J. is a Biochemistry major with a 3.6 GPA. Her goal after graduation is to land an entry level position at places like cosmetic companies, the FBI, or the CDC.

Alexa’s deep interest in chemistry led her to take a DNA test. She thought it would only say she is half Guatemalan and half Puerto Rican, but the test revealed she was from multiple places in Latin America, Africa, and Europe. “I became even more invested in the sciences after that experience,” she says. 

Krysta Fletcher

Krysta Fletcher of Greeley, PA is a freshman Biochemistry major with a concentration in Genetics. She has a 3.44 GPA and is a recipient of Ramapo’s Presidential Scholarship. Krysta has been involved in the Science Olympiad for six years, and dance for thirteen. She also served as a student leader in her school band and currently works as a server at a local restaurant, the Mason Jar Bar and Grille.

Lachezara Rangelova

“I am proud that two years ago I came to this country and adjusted to all aspects of life here very quickly,” says Lachezara Rangelova of  Sofia, Bulgaria. The first-year student is majoring in Biochemistry. Lachezara is involved in the Social Work Club, Pre-Med/Pre-Health Club and the International Student Organization.  While volunteering through these organizations, she has worked with kids with disabilities and in social work around campus. She also attends guest-speaker events, where she enjoys hearing stories about their professional and life experiences. “My goal is to attend medical school and continue my contributions to society.”

Yara Kiblawi

“After I graduate, I plan on attending graduate school for my Master’s in Chemistry, and I hope to become an analytical or cosmetic chemist,” says Yara Kiblawi. Yara is a Chemistry major from Wayne, N.J. and currently has a 3.6 GPA. In her free time, she volunteers for the CHDC NJ and the Al-Mustafa Islamic Center.

Daniel Shinkorenko

Daniel Shinkorenko of Paramus, N.J. is a Biology major, considering an additional minor in Psychology. He has a 3.85 GPA, is part of the College Honors program, and is a Presidential Scholarship recipient.

Daniel is part of the Pre-Med club and is looking forward to joining other activities, such as the Chemistry club. “I hope to translate the leadership skills I learned in high school as a multi-sport captain and swim instructor to my college endeavors.”

He has also worked as an assistant teacher for Advanced Math Academy.

Karen Lara

Karen Lara of Passaic, N.J. is a Chemistry Major and Latin American Studies Minor. She has a 3.0 GPA and is a student of the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program.  She is also active in the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead (ALMA), where she serves as President, and she is also a member of Omega Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

Karen is a Spanish Tutor at the Language Lab and a Student Aide at the Testing Center. Additionally, this past summer she was a counselor and tutor for the Math Science Upward Bound program.

After graduation, Karen plans on getting her Ph.D. and becoming a formulation chemist. “At some point, I might even want to create my own company where products are made using different ingredients and chemicals that will not only benefit the earth but ourselves.”

Maxine Zawaski

Maxine Zawaski of Wayne N.J. is a Chemistry major who plans to study Cosmetic Chemistry at the graduate level. Maxine has been active in the Chemistry club and plans to join the women’s club in the coming semester.

She has a 2.8 GPA and has already graduated from Capri Institute where she received her Cosmetology license with high honors.

Off-campus, Maxine dedicates her time to educating children at local libraries about makeup, skincare and body care. For over a year, she has ran the cosmetics department at the Shoprite of Lincoln Park, where she consults with clients on various beauty and health matters. Maxine comes from a background of managing several prestigious cosmetic companies such as Clinique, The Body Shop and Bare Minerals.

After she completes her academic career, she plans to go after her dream job of being. L’Oréal’s cosmetic chemist in Paris. “I’m determined to be their head chemist and will not quit until I achieve my goal.”

Elizabeth Kazandjian

Elizabeth Kazandjian of Maywood, N.J. is a Biology Major with a concentration in medicine and is part of the Educational Opportunity Fund program. She is in the 3+4 track with Lake Erie College of Medicine. Elizabeth also speaks four languages. “I plan to use this skill to strengthen relationships with my future patients.”

Elizabeth has volunteered at an Obstetric, Gynecology, and Infertility office in Elmwood Park. She also worked at Advanced Chiro Spine Center as a floor leader. She is currently the Assistant Manager at Bounce U, a party host, and a member of a committee. The positions involve leadership skills such as customer service, people leadership, organization, decision-making capability, and likability, etc.

She hopes to continue learning from her mentors and thriving at Ramapo. Elizabeth wants to be able to try new things such as research with a professor, new clubs/activities, and new volunteer places that can help her succeed in her career. She wants to pursue a Doctorate in Pharmacy and open her own Pharmacy.

Samuel Sanchez

Samuel Sanchez of Bloomingdale, N.J. is a Biology major with a concentration in Medicine.

At Ramapo, Samuel has been active in research and has co-authored two presentations on his lab work. Through this, he has become a member of MACUB (Metropolitan Association of College and University Biologists). His current project focuses on examining the effects of the c-src kinase inhibitor drug on the differentiation of the MC3T3 mouse osteoblast cell line.

He hopes to continue research at Ramapo with plans to attend graduate school and work towards a doctoral degree in biomedical research. “I hope to eventually follow a career focusing on cancer research, specifically the treatment and possible prevention of melanoma.”

Victoria Lang

Victoria Lang of Cedar Run, N.J. is a Biology major. She has a 3.84 GPA and has been inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta (National Academic Honors Society) and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She is a Research Assistant under the TAS Research Honors Program.

At Ramapo, Victoria has been active in several organizations, including Theta Phi Alpha, Rally Cap Sports, and Big Brother Big Sister. Together with her sorority, she raises money for the homeless and for breast cancer. She holds the position of Academic Excellence Chair within her sorority and is Player Coordinator of Rally Cap Sports where she communicates with parents involving their child’s needs while helping teach special needs children to play the seasonal sport. As part of Big Brothers, Big Sisters, she mentors an elementary school student from Paterson.  She also helps tutor elementary school students in mathematics for Teaneck Tutoring.

She works at Cape Regional Medical Center as an Emergency Room Technician while continuing to shadow Physicians and Physician Assistants. She plans to pursue a career as a PA, with an interest in Dermatology.

Emily Perez

Emily Perez is a Biology major in the School of Theoretical and Applied Science.

Brittany Hudson

Brittany Hudson is a Chemistry major in the School of Theoretical and Applied Science.

Alisha Malla

Alisha Malla of New Milford, NJ is Biology major with a minor in Chemistry. She has a 3.9 grade point average.  Alisha has been inducted into the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi (Research Honor Society), Omicron Delta Kappa (National Leadership Honor Society), Alpha Lambda Delta (National Academic Honor Society), and Golden Key (International Honor Society).  Alisha has been on the Dean’s List since freshman year and is the recipient of the Marina & William Topken TAS Scholarship and the Ramapo Provost Merit Scholarship.

At Ramapo, Alisha has been active in several organizations and activities, including Beta Beta Beta (National Biological Honor Society), Phi Delta Epsilon (Pre-Medical Fraternity), and Sigma Xi (Research Honor Society).  Alisha is currently the Co-President of Beta Beta Beta and has served as the Secretary of Phi Delta Epsilon.

Alisha has also been involved in off –campus activities and organizations, including the Hackensack University Medical Center’s Research Associates Program and Westwood’s Thomas J. Riley Senior Center as a volunteer.

Additionally, Alisha has worked as a Research Assistant under the TAS Research Honors Program, a Laboratory Assistant for the Ramapo Biology Prep Laboratory, and as a Biology Tutor for the Educational Opportunity Fund. She has also worked as a Teacher’s Assistant for Microbiology, Executive Help Desk Representative/Computer Technician for Information Technology Services, and as a Surgical Intern for a General Surgeon in Totowa, NJ.