School of Science

From his undergraduate and doctoral studies at Temple University and Bryn Mawr College, to his work in industry (where his roles ranged from new product development for a small laser manufacturing company to doing defense-based work on satellite-based laser systems for a multinational corporation), McGee’s research interests have focused on how light interacts with materials, he explained, adding that he’s always been particularly fascinated by “lasers and holograms and those sorts of things.”

Dr. Monisha Pulimood, Associate Professor of Computer Science, has taken a rather unconventional, yet interesting, approach to get to where she is today.

Dr. Aigli Papantonopoulou, known to her students as “Dr. P.,” is a professor of mathematics at the College. She attended Barnard College for her undergraduate studies, and then attained her Ph.D. at University of California, Berkeley in algebraic geometry. Algebraic geometry is Dr. P’s passion.

Illuminating research Posted on November 26, 2012 by Tracey Regan   To study the fundamental dynamics of proteins—the biochemical compounds that do much of the work in cells—is to examine life at a scale so microscopic it is difficult to fathom. Some of their critical processes, observable only through the use of lasers and powerful [...]

From her earliest days in school, Professor Jana Gevertz was beguiled by the elegance and precision of mathematics. But as her experience widened, she also felt the pull of biology, a powerful, hands-on force in such critical arenas as health care.

“What really excited me as a child was the idea that my suburban New Jersey backyard didn’t always look the way it looked,” he recalled. “As long as I can remember, I understood the earth was very, very old. The plants and animals on this planet changed and at one time there were dinosaurs walking through my backyard. I used to look out my bedroom window and imagine what it looked like in the past.” Being an evolutionary biologist, Dr. Wund says, is like never quite growing out of your childhood dinosaur phase.

The assistant professor of chemistry specializes in crystal engineering, which looks at the molecules that make up crystalline compounds as Lego building blocks. With each new arrangement comes a different practical utility, and could mean the difference between the graphite in your pencil and the diamond on your finger.

Affectionately known as the “worm guy,” Dr. Sudhir Nayak has indeed made a career for himself studying one of biology’s most versatile model systems: Caenorhabditis elegans, or C. elegans. “The worm is awesome,” said the associate professor of biology. He specializes in genetics and bioinformatics, weaving computer science, genetics, and quite a few worms into his research at The College of New Jersey.

“If we can bring any little piece of evidence to bear about why SIDS is occurring, then it gives us the ability to devise strategies to identify and monitor newborns that are at risk, to get them through this critical developmental period,” Erickson said.

“If we want children to do better in math, we need to start with their teachers. Math anxiety is one of those ills passed on to students that could negatively affect their achievement,” says van der Sandt, who focuses on elementary school teachers purveying the most fundamental math.