Adolfina Koroch

Professor
Science

Office: N-682

Office Hours:

Phone: +1 (212) 776-6877

Adolfina Koroch received her Ph.D. in Biological Science. In 2001, Professor Koroch came to the United States as visiting scientist at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey to conduct research on the in vitro culture, molecular biology and chemistry of bioactive components of native US medicinal plants. Dr. Koroch joined the BMCC science department in 2010 and continues to collaborate as a visiting scientist with the new use agriculture and natural plant products (Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University (NJ).

Expertise

Plant biology, medicinal and aromatic plants, biological activity of natural extracts

Degrees

B.S. Biology
Ph.D. Biology

Courses Taught

3 CRS.3 HRS. BIO 108 BIO 108 (General Biology Theory): General Biology presents an overview of many important topics in the natural sciences today and provides relevant background material from the physical sciences. It traces life from its beginning (cells) to the development of multi-cellular organisms. It covers topics such as evolution, the cell, macromolecules, energy relationships, inheritance, molecular genetics, biotechnology, and body systems. Corequisite: BIO 109
Course Syllabus
3 CRS.1 HRS.2 LAB HRS. BIO 109 BIO 109 (General Biology): General Biology presents an overview of many important topics in the natural sciences today and provides relevant background material from the physical sciences. It traces life from its beginning (cells) to the development of multi-cellular organisms. It covers topics such as taxonomy, the cell, macromolecules, photosynthesis, inheritance, molecular genetics, and body systems. This class includes a 1 hour lecture and a 2 hour lab session. The lecture hour will be an expansion of the lecture content covered in the co-requisite class BIO 108 - information needed to carry out experiments in the 2 hour hands-on laboratory experience. Corequisite: BIO 108
Course Syllabus
4 CRS.5 HRS.2 LAB HRS. BIO 110 BIO 110 (General Biology): Basic cellular structure, tissue organization, physiological process, reproduction, and genetics are studied. Special attention is given to selected zoological specimens with particular emphasis upon man.
Course Syllabus
4 CRS.6 HRS.3 LAB HRS. BIO 210 BIO 210 (Biology I): This two-semester course acquaints students with the basic properties of living systems: metabolism, growth, responsiveness and reproduction at the cellular and organism levels as illustrated by assorted plants and animals. Two terms required. Corequisite for BIO 210 is ENG 101 and any 100-level math course or higher, excluding MAT 150.5 and MAT 161.5 Prerequisite for BIO 220 is BIO 210 and any 100-level math course or higher, excluding MAT 150.5 and MAT 161.5
Course Syllabus
4 CRS.3 HRS.3 LAB HRS. BIO 220 BIO 220 (Biology II): This two-semester course acquaints students with the basic properties of living systems: metabolism, growth, responsiveness and reproduction at the cellular and organism levels as illustrated by assorted plants and animals. Two terms required.
Course Syllabus
4 CRS.6 HRS. BIO 270 BIO 270 (Plant Biology): This course is designed to provide students with the fundamentals of plant biology such as anatomy, morphology, growth and development, reproduction, genetics, physiology, plant ecology and an overview of evolution and the importance of plants in society. This course includes hands on laboratory experience and life plant materials integrated with the lecture content. Prerequisite: BIO 220 Corequisite: CHE 202 or departmental approval
Course Syllabus
4 CRS.6 HRS.3 LAB HRS. BIO 426 BIO 426 (Anatomy and Physiology II): This two-semester course explores the human body as an integrated, functional complex of systems. Terminology, structure and function of each organ-system, with emphasis on their interrelationships, are explained. Required of students in the health services technologies; available to all other students for elective credit. Prerequisite for BIO 426 is BIO 425. Two terms required. Prerequisite: CHE 118 or CHE 121, or departmental approval NOTE: BIO 425 and BIO 426 do not meet the science requirements in the liberal arts curriculum.
Course Syllabus

Research and Projects

Plants have been used since ancient times by people as medicines, condiments, foods and fragrances. Plants are a rich source of a variety of natural products. These natural products (phenolics and essential oils) are synthesized by plants for ecological purposes such as combating diseases or as a response to stress. The health benefits of these plants are in part due to the effects of their antioxidant components on reactive oxygen species. I am interested in the production and accumulation of these natural products and their biological activities. Currently, there is a target interest in biologically active compounds, especially those that protect from oxidative damage (antioxidants) and inhibit or retard the growth of microorganisms for maintenance and improvement of human health.

The goal of my research is to study different plants (herbs, vegetables and spices) that are used in traditional medicine in different cultures, and to understand the uses and health benefits of these plants.

Publications

Cornejal, N., E. Pollack, R. Kaur, A. Persaud, M. Plagianos, H. R. Juliani, J. E. Simon, M. Zorde, C. Priano, A. Koroch, and J. A. Fernández Romero. 2023. Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Theobroma cacao, Bourreria huanita, Eriobotrya japonica, and Elettaria cardamomum – Traditional Plants Used in Central America. Journal of Medicinally Active Plants 12, (1):1-17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7275/wets-9869
Assanti, G.*, R. Kaur*, S. Nizard*, E. Pollack*, B. Rafferty; C. Priano, J. A. Fernández Romero, and A. R. Koroch. 2022. Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacological Activity of Kigelia africana (Bignoniaceae) and Garcinia kola (Clusiaceae) – a Review. Journal of Medicinally Active Plants 11, (1):1-21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7275/hece-wp36.
Mahoney, O.*, C. Melo*, A. Lockhart, N. Cornejal*, S. Alsaidi*, Q-L Wu, J. Simon, R. Juliani, T. M. Zydowsky, C. Priano, A. Koroch, J. A. Fernández Romero. 2022. Antiviral activity of Aframomum melegueta against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses type 1 and 2. South African Journal of Botany 146: 735-739, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2021.12.010
Fernández Romero, J. A., M. G. Paglini, C. Priano, A. Koroch, Y. Rodríguez, J. Sailer and N. Teleshova. 2021. Algal and Cyanobacterial Lectins and Their Antimicrobial Properties. Marine drugs, 19(12), 687. https://doi.org/10.3390/md19120687
Melo, C.*, R. Perdomo*, F. Yerima*, O. Mahoney*, N. Cornejal*, S. Alsaidi*, S. Coron*; T. Bonnaire, S. Zhang, T. M. Zydowsky, C. Priano, J. A. Fernández Romero, H. R. Juliani, and A. Koroch. 2021. Antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-SARS-CoV Activity of Commercial Products of Xylopia (Xylopia aethiopica). Journal of Medicinally Active Plants 10 (1):11-23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7275/9baf-e988
Melo C*, N. Cornejal*, V. Cruz*, S. Alsaidi*, G. Cruz Rodriguez*, A. Gomez Ramirez*, V. Sorel*, T. Bonnaire, S. Zhang, T. M. Zydowsky, C. Priano, J. A. Fernández Romero and A. Koroch. 2020. Antioxidant Capacity and Antimicrobial Activity of Commercial Samples of Guava Leaves (Psidium guajava). Journal of Medicinally Active Plants 9 (1): 1-13. https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/cview.cgi/jmap/vol9/iss1/2
Pyne R. M., J. Honig, J. Vaiciunas, A. Koroch, C.A. Wyenandt, S. Bonos, J. E. Simon. 2017. A first linkage map and downy mildew resistance QTL discovery for sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) facilitated by double digestion restriction site associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq). PLoS ONE 12(9): e0184319. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0184319

Koroch A. R., J. E. Simon and H. Rodolfo Juliani. 2017. Essential oil composition of purple basils, their reverted green varieties (Ocimum basilicum) and their associated biological activity. Industrial Crops and Products 107:526-530.

Koroch, A.R., T.S. Villani, and J.E. Simon. 2016. Discovering Plant Tissues in a New Dimension. Article 75 in Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching, Volume 37 (K. McMahon, Editor). Proceedings of the 37th Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE). http://www.ableweb.org/volumes/vol-37/v37reprint.php?ch=article75
Pyne, R. M., A. R. Koroch, C. A. Wyenandt and J. E. Simon. 2015. Inheritance of resistance to downy mildew in sweet basil. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science140 (5): 396-403.
* BMCC student

Honors, Awards and Affiliations

National Science Foundation (NSF); REU Site: Advancing Undergraduate Research Among Minorities in Plant Biology Enrolled in an Urban Community College. Award #1756998, 2019-2021
National Science Foundation (NSF); Broadening STEM Participation Among Minority Students in an Urban Community College. Award #1564577, 2016-2021
Presidential Scholar: Borough of Manhattan Community College of CUNY January 2013-present
A subaward: Rutgers University, USDA-NIFA: Strategies for Improving the U.S. Responses to Fusarium, Downy Mildew and Chilling Injury to Production of Sweet Basil, 9/1/2011-8/31/2015.

Additional Information

Professor Koroch has created an environment to motivate and involve students in applied plant research projects thus fostering students’ interest in botanical sciences and science literacy. By involving students in research, she has contributed to advance students careers in the plant sciences and human health. Professor Koroch has mentored undergraduate research projects with students participating in NSF-S-STEM, NSF-REU, CRSP (CUNY), C-STEP, L-SAMP, and Honor programs at BMCC.