Students Named Sanofi Excellence in STEM Scholars

Five University of Scranton students were selected as 2023 Sanofi Excellence in STEM Scholars, which provided support for the students’ summer independent research projects.

The University students named 2023 Sanofi Excellence in STEM Scholars are: Tabitha R. Berger, Cresco; Arissa J. Chambers, Henryville; Fione Evans, Scranton; Madelyne M. Gasper, Stroudsburg; and Brian L. White, Brooklyn, New York.

The grant received from Sanofi, which totaled $20,000, supported research and professional development of the five undergraduate students involved in STEM programs. In addition, the support provided stipends to help the students purchase laboratory supplies needed to carry out their summer research.

The Excellence in STEM program is designed to attract and retain students in STEM fields. By strengthening their skills and supporting their STEM research projects, this program helps to strengthen the STEM workforce. Studies have shown that students who engage in an independent research project are more likely to complete their STEM majors, graduate and develop a path to achieve their academic and career goals.

Berger is a biochemistry, cell, molecular biology major and member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM. She is working her with faculty mentor Michael Fennie, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, on her research project “Synthesis of 2-Thiocyano- and 2-Selenocyano-Tryptophan as spectroscopic reporters.” She is also the recipient of the University's full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Chambers is a biology and philosophy double major and member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM and its Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. She is working her with faculty mentor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on her research project “Effects of group and individual size on bumble bee (Bombus terrestris L.) thermoregulation.” She is also the recipient of the University's full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Evans is a biology major and member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM. She is working her with faculty mentor Vincent Farallo, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, on her research project “The effects of soil pH on the metabolic rate of Plethodon cinereus.”

Gasper is a neuroscience major and member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM. She is working her with faculty mentor Robert Waldeck, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, on her research project “Effect of lateral telencephalic lesion on dopamine levels in Carassius auratus.”

White is a biology and philosophy double major and member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM and its Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. He is working his with faculty mentor Spencer Galen, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, on his research project “An investigation into Wolbachia diversity in mosquitoes and other biting insects in North-Eastern Pennsylvania.”

Faculty members at Scranton often include undergraduate students in their academic projects. The University’s Faculty Student Research Program also supports undergraduate student participation in research. In addition, students participating in the University’s Honors Program and the Magis Honors Program in STEM work with faculty mentors on research projects.

Sanofi is a global pharmaceutical company that is involved in the research, development, marketing and manufacturing of various medicines and vaccines. Every year, Sanofi offers multiple grants to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions that are working to advance participation in STEM fields.