Department of
Natural Sciences

Faces of MMC

• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/3405-abe-libman"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/0,0,932,1219/23630_Abe.rev.1576511820.jpg" alt="Abe Libman, Biology Post-Bac" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p> I love the warm, welcoming, and supportive community here at MMC! I believe that the small class sizes, individualized attention, and excellent facilities are exactly what I need to help me succeed in my aspirations to go to medical school. Coming from a large university where competition was intense and the professors hardly knew their students, I have been so pleasantly surprised by the dynamic here at MMC. As an added bonus, they have wonderful extra-curricular programs, and great food! I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested.</p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/3405-abe-libman">Abe Libman</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/3041-gianna-oconnor-21"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/1043,422,2732,2112/21361_Gianna_OConnor.rev.1554146331.JPG" alt="Gianna O'Connor '21" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p> I intern at The New York League of Conservation Voters, a non-partisan statewide nonprofit organization that fights for clean air, clean water, renewable energy, and open space through various political organizations. It is truly an organization that intertwines environmental advocacy with political action.</p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/3041-gianna-oconnor-21">Gianna O’Connor ’21</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2021, Double Major in <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/urban-and-environmental-sustainability/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Urban & Environmental Sustainability</a> and <a href="/departments/politics-human-rights/the-major/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Politics & Human Rights</a></p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/3147-martine-faustin-19"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/0,0,3200,2133/22004_5DC34E6B-6AE3-416E-B2FF-5B42C482A174.rev.1559672581.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“The Behavioral Neuroscience program at Marymount Manhattan College is the perfect addition to the Division of Natural Sciences. It encompasses my passion for biology, chemistry, and psychology. It may seem extensive, but when you have an advisor like Dr. Deirtra Hunter-Romagnoli, you are able to excel in your studies. Dr. Hunter-Ramgnoli has provided me with the education, guidance, and hands on training I needed to not only do well in school, but to acquire a position as a Research Associate at the Nestler Lab at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai after graduation.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/3147-martine-faustin-19">Martine Faustin ’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>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/3668-hope-kenmore-20"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/256,716,2188,2649/24673_IMG_0774_2.rev.1596130072.JPG" alt="Hope Kenmore ’20" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p> Right after graduating in May 2020, Hope Kenmore was hired as a full-time lab technician at the Institutional Biorepository Core (IBC) of Weill Cornell Medicine, where she is involved with research on COVID-19. She reports: </p><p><em>The faculty have taught me so much and helped prepare me so I could start working right after graduating, despite a pandemic, struggling economy, and difficult job market.</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/3668-hope-kenmore-20">Hope Kenmore ’20</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2020, Double Major in Biology and Dance</p></div>
• <span class="lw_profiles_image" style="float: left;"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/817-elizabeth-perez-06"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/50,62,299,310/6538_elizabeth.rev.1472490807.jpg" alt="Elizabeth Perez '06" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“The successes I have experienced as a researcher since completing my Biology degree at MMC in 2006 were the direct result of dedicated professors and outstanding mentorship.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/817-elizabeth-perez-06">Elizabeth Perez ’06</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2006, 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/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/3215-alexis-keller-18"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/71,158,189,276/16214_alexis.rev.1508768466.jpg" alt="Senior Alexis Keller at the U.N." class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em><strong>Alexis Keller</strong>, a double major in Environmental Studies and Dance (with a Body, Science, and Motion concentration), completed a professional immersion internship at the United Nations. Read all about it <a href="https://www.mmm.edu/live/news/2514-senior-alexis-keller-interns-at-the-un" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/3215-alexis-keller-18">Alexis Keller ’18</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2018, Double Major in Environmental Studies and Dance (with a Body, Science, and Motion concentration)</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>
• <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/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/3194-elijah-castro-21"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/870,441,2105,1676/22064_IMG_0099.rev.1560512161.jpg" alt="Elijah Castro '21" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p> This summer I am doing research at Gilead Sciences in Foster City, CA, in the protein chemistry lab. </p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/3194-elijah-castro-21">Elijah Castro ’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/885-olympia-gaglioti-12"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/0,19,237,257/6597_olympia.rev.1472490807.jpg" alt="Olympia G" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“The rigorous curriculum taught me how to study and manage my time. The small class sizes allowed me to know my professors as people, not just educators, so much so that one interviewer commented that my letter of recommendation was one of the best they’ve ever read.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/885-olympia-gaglioti-12">Olympia Gaglioti ’12</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2012, 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/953-ashley-pirovano-13"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/39,0,1057,1018/21455_IMG_20180622_1624522.rev.1554855086.jpg" alt="Ashley Pirovano '13" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“The small class sizes and individual attention are really unique to MMC. Not only does this foster a great learning environment, but it also allows for a personal connection with the professors.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/953-ashley-pirovano-13">Ashley Pirovano ’13</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2013, 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/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/815-danielle-khost-13"><img src="/live/image/gid/108/width/215/src_region/0,57,423,481/19742_Danielle_Khost.rev.1544725010.jpg" alt="Danielle Khost '13" class="lw_image" width="215"/></a></span></span><div class="lw_profiles_103 styled-link"><p><em>“When I was at Marymount Manhattan, I worked in Dr. Aguanno’s lab for three years, during which time I designed experiments for the lab’s research project, assembled formal scientific posters presenting my data, and attended numerous professional meetings at the national level. It took me a long time to realize how unusual it was as an undergrad to have so much agency in my research, and it gave me a tremendous advantage in making the transition to grad school.”</em></p></div><div class="lw_profiles_name"><a href="/live/profiles/815-danielle-khost-13">Danielle Khost ’13</a></div><div class="lw_profiles_104"><p> Class of 2013, Major in <a href="/departments/natural-sciences/major-biology.php">Biology</a></p></div>