Department of
Natural Sciences

Faces of MMC

• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/2280-elevit-perez-17"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/0,0,3200,2129/16578_Perez_Elevit_170809_04.rev.1517346023.jpg" alt="Biology Alumnus Elevit Perez '17" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“MMC allowed me to establish close and lasting relationships with my professors through an intimate and challenging learning environment. As a result of my hard work and the support I received throughout my undergraduate years, I am currently working as a research technician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where I am able to apply lab techniques and skills from my education and hands-on experience at MMC. It was an honor to be taught and work alongside such brilliant educators.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/2280-elevit-perez-17">Elevit Perez ’17</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2017, Major in <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/major-biology.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Biology</a>, Minor in <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/minors/chemistry.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chemistry</a></p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/3406-shaista-shoukat"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/416,659,2387,2630/23625_Shaista_Shoukat.rev.1576509666.JPG" alt="Shaista Shoukat, Biology Post-Bac" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p> I joined the Biology Post-Bac program for the purpose of retaking science classes needed for med school. I wanted to enhance my application by showing I can improve in something that I once lacked in. Joining this program has been such a great privilege as I am receiving individual help whenever needed. Coming from a big college during my undergrad, I always felt lost in the big lecture halls. But at this program, I feel like I have finally found the right path and guidance. </p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/3406-shaista-shoukat">Shaista Shoukat</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Biology Post-Bac, 2019-2021</p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/2295-sabrina-shapiro-09"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/366,15,1280,929/16830_IMG_3254.rev.1521078987.jpg" alt="Sabrina Shapiro '09" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“I had the unique opportunity at Marymount Manhattan College to double major in Biology and Dance. The small class sizes and strong relationships between the students and faculty provided an encouraging and close-knit environment. The program brought out the best of me as a student, a scientist and a human being. My experience has inspired me to continue with my studies, even a decade after graduation!” </em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/2295-sabrina-shapiro-09">Sabrina Shapiro ’09</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2009, Double Major in <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/major-biology.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Biology</a> and <a href="/departments/dance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dance</a></p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/1540-victoria-mcilrath-15"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/137,0,1917,1780/12683_drexel_photo.rev.1458251526.jpg" alt="Victoria McIlrath ’15" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“Currently in graduate school, I am enrolled in a rigorous class in which students present published scientific literature. Because of <a href="https://www.mmm.edu/live/profiles/88-ann-aguanno" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dr. Ann Aguanno</a>’s senior seminar class that I completed at MMC, I have the knowledge and skill set required to understand, communicate and present the ideas and data of primary literature. My current success is a product of the exceptional teaching and guidance offered by MMC’s teaching faculty.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/1540-victoria-mcilrath-15">Victoria McIlrath ’15</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2015, Major in <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/major-biology.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Biology</a></p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/3193-simran-sahansra-21"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/371,339,1996,1964/22063_IMG_4272.rev.1560511597.jpg" alt="Biology major Simran Sahansra '21" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p> “I have been interning at New York University Langone Health Center’s Environmental Pediatrics Department to aid in their Children’s Health and Environment Study (CHES). This study is the initial part of the larger NIH-funded Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) study, which aims to shed light on how environmental exposures during early life can impact long-term child health outcomes.” </p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/3193-simran-sahansra-21">Simran Sahansra ’21</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2021, Major in Biology</p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/818-kirtan-kaur-12"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/16,91,1440,1516/7408_6032_kaur.rev.1472490808.jpg" alt="Kirtan Kaur ’12" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“Today as I sit in my graduate level classes and begin my thesis research, I look back and realize how fortunate I am to have picked MMC for my Biology degree.  I owe it to the extraordinary faculty at MMC who have given me a strong foundation in science through patient, challenging, one-on-one teaching that I would not have found anywhere else!  MMC is a great college to attend if you want to experience rigor, opportunities, and a small, close-knit science community.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/818-kirtan-kaur-12">Kirtan Kaur ’12</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2012, Major in <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/major-biology.php">Biology</a> with Minor in <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/major-environmental-studies.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Environmental Studies</a></p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/814-zach-barbati-10"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/146,0,747,601/6728_zach.rev.1472490807.jpg" alt="Zach Barbati '10" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“My experience at Marymount Manhattan College challenged me not only to study the basic sciences in a typical linear sequence, but rather to integrate coursework in sociology, language, and philosophy into the Biology major courses. Furthermore, I felt challenged by my mentors to continually revisit foundational concepts in advanced classes, so as to reinforce key concepts that are important for developing a strong foundation in the biological sciences.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/814-zach-barbati-10">Zach Barbati ’10</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2010, Major in <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/major-biology.php">Biology</a></p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/3212-beatriz-morocho-16"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/0,0,2400,2400/23705_Beatriz.rev.1579634825.jpg" alt="Beatriz Morocho '16" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><span dir="ltr">I am currently into my second semester in my studies for my Pharm.D. at Touro College of Pharmacy. The course material is slowly picking up, but I feel extremely prepared to tackle it. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone in the Biology department for shaping me as student and teaching me everything there is to know for the future.</span></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/3212-beatriz-morocho-16">Beatriz Morocho ’16</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2016, Major in Biology</p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/2281-keaven-caro-18"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/0,563,1800,2361/16584_20180131_1000242.rev.1517412944.jpg" alt="Keaven Caro, B.S. Biology and Behavioral Neuroscience, 2017" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“I spent three years working as a research assistant and then lab manager in Dr. Deirtra Hunter’s MMC Music, Mind and Brain Lab where we studied psychophysiological responses evoked by emotionally charged music in human participants. In my junior year I interned as a research assistant in the Morishita lab at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. This lab focused on synaptic plasticity and postnatal development of a neural circuit critical for visual spatial attention. </em><em>This internship led to a part time job as a senior in college, then a full time job for two years after graduation.</em></p><p><em>Dr. Hunter was diligent in her efforts to ensure I graduated with indispensable practical research experiences on and off campus that made me a competitive applicant for professional and academic positions.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/2281-keaven-caro-18">Keaven Caro ’18</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2018, Major in <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/major-biology.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Biology</a> and <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/major-behavioral-neuroscience/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Behavioral Neuroscience</a>, Minor in <a href="/departments/dance/dance-minor.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dance</a> and <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/minors/chemistry.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chemistry</a></p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/1284-alexandra-devaris"><img src="/live/image/gid/117/width/215/src_region/0,82,302,384/9671_a_devaris.rev.1453903739.jpg" alt="Alexandra Devaris ’12" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“After completing my Master of Science in Environmental Policy from University College Dublin, I am now working as both a Logistics Coordinator at Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, an international non-profit in Connecticut, and as an Environmental Assistant at Samsung.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/1284-alexandra-devaris">Alexandra Devaris ’12</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2012, Major in <a href="/departments/international-studies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">International Studies</a>, Minor in <a href="https://www.mmm.edu/departments/natural-sciences/minors/environmental-studies.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Environmental Studies</a></p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/3214-madison-weisend-20"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/0,0,2048,1360/14572_headshot_looking_up.rev.1486725884.jpg" alt="Madison Weisend, a freshman Environmental Studies major." class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em><strong>Madison Weisend</strong>, an Environmental Studies major, interned with Our Climate to promote carbon-pricing initiatives in NYC as part of their carbon-pricing campaign, <a href="http://www.ourclimate.us/the_movement" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Put a Price on It</a>. </em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/3214-madison-weisend-20">Madison Weisend ’20</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2020, Major in Environmental Studies</p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/2294-rosie-wenrich-17"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/0,0,398,398/22018_0.rev.1560282491.jpg" alt="Rosie Wenrich '17" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“MMC’s small size and liberal arts curriculum really allowed me to explore all of my interests, and the intimate class sizes allowed for personal attention, which I think I really benefited from. I can never thank my professors enough for all they’ve helped me to achieve, and I wouldn’t trade my time at Marymount Manhattan for anything.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/2294-rosie-wenrich-17">Rosie Wenrich ’17</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2017, B.S. <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/major-biology.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Biology</a> and B.A. Sociology</p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/3322-kevin-mora-19"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/499,0,2630,2133/23148_Kevin_Mora.rev.1572278487.JPG" alt="Kevin Mora '19" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“By starting in the research lab of <a href="/live/profiles/88-ann-aguanno" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Prof. Ann Aguanno</a> at Marymount, I was able to gain first-hand experience collecting data and conversing with professionals that could only be achieved in a small school. Dr. Aguanno’s lab allowed me to have a close relationship with my mentors and work on a professional level that gave me the background to transition to a career in research at Rockefeller University and actively contribute to the molecular understanding of many neurological diseases.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/3322-kevin-mora-19">Kevin Mora ’19</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2019, Major in Biology</p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/3191-holly-ringhauser-08"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/684,286,1933,1534/22061_Holly.rev.1560459981.jpg" alt="Holly Ringhauser '08" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“I owe a lot to professors Dr. Benedetta Sampoli-Benitez and Dr. Judith Hanks, who served as my mentors during undergrad and beyond. They were so helpful in writing me letters of recommendation for hospital volunteer opportunities, outside research jobs, summer internship programs, and medical school applications.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/3191-holly-ringhauser-08">Holly Ringhauser ’08</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2008, <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/major-biology.php">Biology</a> major, <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/major-behavioral-neuroscience/">Neuroscience</a> minor </p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/3148-stephanie-constant-19"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/0,0,664,883/22005_stephanie_constant.rev.1559673872.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“Being a Behavioral Neuroscience Major at Marymount Manhattan College is an experience like no other. Working with Dr. Deirtra Hunter, you are allowed to not only get a deeper understanding of your classes, but she will help you find numerous opportunities geared towards your specific interest. Classes such as Perception and Developmental Neurobiology are challenging, engaging, and life changing.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/3148-stephanie-constant-19">Stephanie Constant ’19</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2019, Major in <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/major-behavioral-neuroscience/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Behavioral Neuroscience</a></p></div>