From left to right: Angel (NOAA Grant Recipient), Kleopatra (SURF Recipient), Dr. Kestrel Perez, Milana (NOAA Grant Recipient)
Dear Donors,
We are thrilled to share the remarkable strides made possible through your generous contributions to the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. Your support has enabled our students to embark on a journey of discovery and innovation over the summer. Here’s an overview of the program and a spotlight on one of our SURF students exciting research projects.
About the SURF Program
The SURF initiative, a collaborative effort by the Directors of Undergraduate Research,
Institutional Advancement Office, and Deans Office, offers 10-week research fellowships to
dedicated students. The program’s primary goal is to alleviate financial barriers that often hinder
talented students from pursuing academic research. With faculty mentorship, students
engage in primary research projects, which can be driven by faculty, students, or external
liaisons from various sectors.
Compensation: Each student recipient receives a $4,000 stipend, equating to $20 per hour for
20 hours per week.
Kleopatra Garo
Junior at SJNY BrooklynBiology Major with a Minor in Chemistry
“As an SJNY student the SURF fellowship has helped me to conduct my research by providing me with transportation from Brooklyn to the Marine Biology lab as well as a place to dorm and the necessary materials I need to carry out my research. The financial assistance hasallowed me to focus on the research project and conduct close rigorous research in the summer months.”
Featured Research Project
Effects of Ocean Acidification and Harmful Algal Blooms on
Early Life Stages of Fish
Research Team:
- Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kestrel Perez
- Student Researcher: Kleopatra Garo
Ocean acidification (OA) and harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose significant threats to marine ecosystems. This study aims to explore the combined effects of OA and HABs on the early life
stages of fish, focusing on critical parameters like survival rates, growth, and locomotor performance.
Research Highlights:
- Objective: To understand the synergistic impacts of OA and HABs on fish larvae.
- Methodology:
- 80 fish were tested under various OA conditions and exposed to HABs.
- Key behaviors and physiological responses, such as swimming performance and growth rates, were monitored.
- Four treatment groups were utilized, combining different pH levels and algal species for comparison.
- Timeline:
- Training in May/June.
- Experiments from July to early August.
- Data analysis through the end of August
Impact and Future Plans
This research is a critical step towards enhancing our understanding of marine biology and the compounded effects of environmental stressors. The findings will be presented at the SJNY Student
Research Symposium in May 2025 and the national American Fishery Society conference in September 2024.
Your Support In Action
The financial assistance provided through the SURF program was instrumental in covering transportation, accommodation, and living expenses for our student researchers, allowing them to focus
entirely on their projects. It facilitated access to necessary materials and equipment, ensuring the success of their research endeavors.