BMCC’s Science Department offers major concentrations in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Our alumni have pursued a variety of career paths. Here are some of them:
Jonathan Acosta Morales
Year of graduation: 2017
Major: Biology
Update: After BMCC, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology at CUNY’s Hunter College, an M.S in Medical Science at Southern California University of Health Sciences and an MPH at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and a Certification in Health in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies from Emory University. I have been accepted to the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program in Epidemiology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and start this August 2025.
I work on clinical trials for the Icahn School of Medicine, focusing on research aimed at discovering better cures and therapies for a number of complicated disorders, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), lupus nephritis (LN), complement 3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN), IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and scleroderma.
Patients’ lives are significantly impacted by these illnesses, and our goal is to increase our knowledge and capacity to treat them. Being able to truly impact patient care and medicine through our efforts is an immensely fulfilling reward in this career.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysoutbreak/
Advice for someone interested in this field: Dedicating your life to the realm of science will be a long but rewarding journey.”It’s not about where you begin”, is the understatement of a century. It’s truly all about the opportunities you take and create, not to mention the connections you forge along the way.
Take the time to explore beyond merely “checking off boxes”—embrace new experiences that could shape your career. Apply for as many opportunities as possible, even if you don’t meet every requirement; there’s someone out there ready to give you a chance. I encourage you to start with your faculty—CUNY BMCC boasts exceptional mentors, innovators and lifelong guides eager to share their wisdom. As my cacique always said, “No cambies oro por cobre” — don’t sell yourself short! Remember, starting your journey at BMCC means you can go anywhere! Pa’lante!
Christopher Clouse
Year of graduation: 2021
Major: Science
Update: After a 30 year first career stint in Finance (CFO/COO/CAO positions), I wanted a change and went back to school at BMCC to start a new focus on teaching in the STEM field. As a ‘non-traditional student’ – returning in my fifties – I felt welcome at BMCC and really learned a lot from everyone there. After receiving my A.S. degree in Science, I was encouraged to continue and went on to CUNY’s City College to finish my 4-year B.S. degree, double-majoring in Physics and Mathematics.
It was hard, but rewarding, and prepared me to be a tutor/teacher for these subjects, which I really enjoy since I believe teaching is a profession that can make a big positive difference in the world. Right now I am tutoring Math and Physics at both BMCC and City College (stop by the Math Lab in S-535 for help on anything Math-related!), and intend to work as an adjunct professor/lecturer in STEM going forward.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisclouse/
Advice for someone interested in this field: STEM is a great field, with lots of opportunities in various subjects, but also competitive. My advice to students would be to use BMCC’s resources to the fullest, including networking with fellow students and professors, and look into all the other support the school offers including tutoring, research opportunities and mentoring, while you are there.
If your plan is to continue to a 4-year degree in STEM, don’t be shy about contacting City College (or whichever school you have your eye on) in advance about transferring tips, class pre-requisites, symposiums, future research and club opportunities and the like.
Claudia Melo
Year of graduation: 2019
Major: Biology
Update: I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Microbiology and Immunology track of the Biomedical Sciences program at George Washington University. I am currently an NIH F31 awardee and a former NIH T32 alumni. My dissertation research is conducted in the Bosque Lab, which focuses on HIV cure strategies. My project specifically investigates natural killer (NK) cells and explores pathways to enhance their cytotoxicity against HIV-infected cells.
I began my undergraduate studies as a science major at BMCC, where I conducted research under Dr. Adolfina Koroch, Dr. Jose Fernandez Romero and Dr. Christine Priano. I later transferred to Brooklyn College, where I was a MARC (Maximizing Access to Research) Scholar and a C-STEP scholar, earning a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Chemistry.
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-melo-299501115
Advice for someone interested in this field:
- Seek out a mentor: Look for mentors who understand your background and career goals. Reach out to faculty, postdocs or Ph.D. students whose work interests you.
- Seek peer mentors: Connect with students who have been through the same process; you can learn a lot from their experiences.
- Join supportive organizations: Groups like Científico Latino can provide great networking opportunities.
- Get research experience early: Reach out to programs like C-STEP, MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers), McNair Scholars Program and summer REUs (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) that can give you valuable lab experience. Also, reach out directly to your faculty–they might have an open position in their labs.
- Consider a post-bac program: If you need more research experience, consider a lab tech position in an academic lab.
- Take Care of Yourself: Burnout is real, so prioritize mental and physical health. Find hobbies, exercise (running, gym, play a sport or anything that keeps you balanced) and a support system outside of academia.
- Overcome Imposter Syndrome: Find a communitym a group of friends, faculty, family … that can uplift you. It’s very common to feel like you don’t belong, but you do!
Ifunanya Ojei-Ossai
Year of graduation: 2018
Major: Science
Update: I am currently a third-year medical student at SUNY Downstate, also pursuing a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) with a focus on Epidemiology. I am deeply passionate about Women’s Health, with a strong interest in maternal health research. My research has focused on women’s experiences during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, at SUNY Downstate as well as the impact of maternal nutrition on pregnancy outcomes at Maimonides Medical Center.
Beyond medicine, I am also committed to education and community engagement. As a co-coordinator for America Reads at Downstate, I work with children and adolescents, reading to young kids and tutoring middle and high school students to help strengthen their literacy and academic skills.
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ifunanya-ojei-ossai-506486126
Advice for someone interested in this field: Stay curious, persistent, and proactive. Medicine is an individualized lifelong journey of learning, so seek out mentors, engage in research, and take advantage of every clinical experience. At the same time, endeavor to give back to your community—whether through mentorship, education, or outreach—because real impact extends beyond the hospital. Develop strong study habits/hobbies and also prioritize self-care. Most importantly, stay compassionate—your patients will always be your greatest teachers.
Diana Ferreyra Faustino
Year of graduation: 2018
Major: Biology
Update: I am a second-year graduate student at Brown University pursuing a PhD degree in Pathobiology in Cancer Research. I am part of the Sendurai Mani Laboratory, investigating the role of Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer. Before this, I completed a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology at Binghamton University.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-ferreyra-faustino-399a251a1/
Advice for someone interested in this field: If you wish to pursue research, BMCC is perfect to start doing research. The faculty have laboratories and conduct research at BMCC and are affiliated with multiple institutions in the area. Experience is key in this field.
Emily Simon
Year of graduation: 2018
Major: Physics
Update: I am completing my PhD in Astrophysics at the University of Chicago, specializing in high energy phenomena and particle acceleration. Prior to this, I completed a bachelor’s degree in Astrophysics at Columbia University. I hope to stay in academia and become a professor leading my own research group.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-simon-5912071aa
Advice for someone interested in this field: Allow yourself to take the paths that aren’t necessarily conventional, but feel right. Your unique experience will be a virtue wherever you end up.
Tanubrata Dey
Year of graduation: 2017
Major: Biology
Update: I am a first year doctoral student in the Department of Biology at the CUNY Graduate Center, where my research focuses on bioinformatics and genomics, which involves analyzing complex biological datasets to uncover insights into genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying diseases including cancer and neurological disorders.
At BMCC I built a strong foundation in biology through rigorous coursework and hands-on experiences. After graduating with honors, I went on for a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College, where I delved into advanced topics such as neurobiology, cell biology and developed programming skills, sparking my interest in computational biology. I further honed my skills with a master’s degree at NYU, gaining advanced training in genomics, machine learning and computational tools. Prior work experiences includes working as a Bioinformatics Analyst in a clinical lab at NYU Langone Health and multiple research and teaching assistant roles during my undergraduate and master’s programs.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanubrata-dey/
Advice for someone interested in this field: The field of bioinformatics and genomics is both challenging and rewarding. To succeed, it’s essential to cultivate a deep understanding of biology while also becoming proficient in computational tools and programming languages like Python and R. Start small with projects that allow you to apply both your biological knowledge and coding skills.
Seek out opportunities to gain hands-on experience, whether through internships, research assistant positions or collaborations. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and learn from mentors or peers. Science is a collaborative effort, and the insights you gain from others can be invaluable. Most importantly, be open-minded, stay curious, keep learning and don’t be afraid to explore interdisciplinary approaches that can broaden your perspective and skill set.
Wai Sum Alisha So
Year of graduation: 2016
Major: Biology
Update: I am an Associate Laboratory Microbiologist at the Public Health Laboratory, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. I work at the PulseNet/Molecular Typing Lab under the Environmental Department of my bureau. My lab is funded by the CDC. After graduating from BMCC, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at CCNY.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wai-sum-so-b0a664195/
Advice for someone interested in this field: Think critically and logically.
Abdoul (Madjid) Koné
Year of graduation: 2015
Major: Biology
Update: I’m completing my residency/specialty training in Emergency Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, this June and then will start a 1-year sub-specialty training in Interventional Pain Medicine at Washington University in St Louis. I’ll be practicing both Interventional Pain Medicine and Emergency Medicine.
BMCC’s Foundation Scholarship and Gutman Transfer Scholarship helped me continue my studies in biochemistry at CCNY. CUNY’s Malave Leadership Academy was an important part of my development while at CUNY, as was Mentoring in Medicine which allowed me to volunteer at the Montefiore Hospital Emergency Department and shadow doctors, helping me get accepted into medical school and inspiring my current specialty.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdoul-kon%C3%A9-97291193/
Advice for someone interested in this field: Use your network and social media to find mentors in whatever field you’re interested in–they’ll guide you through the process and help you avoid mistakes they’ve made and give you shortcuts or tips to achieve your goal. Stay focused, consistent and persistent. Medicine is not as hard as people make it seem. It’s just a long journey with some sacrifice, but also a lot of fun.
Final advice: Don’t pause your life outside of Medicine because of Medicine. If you want to, get married, have kids, pick up a hobby–do whatever you want to do, parallel to your journey in Medicine. I got married before med school and had my son while in med school. It’s very possible.
Michelle Naidoo
Year of graduation: 2013
Major: Biology
Update: I am a T32 post-doctoral associate in the Molecular and Translational Oncology Research (MTOR) Training Program at Weill Cornell Medicine, investigating mechanisms underlying drug resistance in prostate cancer. I have nearly 10 years of experience with project design and management, data analysis and interpretation, and the development and implementation of research tools. I received my PhD in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at the CUNY Graduate Center after completing a master’s degree in Biology at Hunter College.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellenaidoo/
Maya Whalen-Kipp
Year of transfer: 2012 (transferred to Union College)
Major: Biology
Update: After graduating from Union College with my bachelor’s degree in science, I earned my master’s degree in Environmental Policy from Bard College. During graduate school I was able to take two years off and join the Peace Corps in Fiji, living and working in a coastal community that was experiencing climate change and sea level rise first hand.
Upon my return to New York, I started my career in clean energy to be part of creating climate solutions, initially in the start-up space, then moving into federal policy, spending four years working for the U.S. Department of Energy, to now working at the Coalition for Green Capital as they launch the first national green bank in the U.S. bringing access to clean power to everyone.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayawhalen-kipp/
Advice for someone interested in this field: My advice for anyone interested in clean energy and climate space is be open minded in finding opportunities even if it’s not exactly what you thought you wanted to do. the industry is growing quickly and there is so much to learn in whatever space your in. Consider fellowships or contact roles to gain a broad range of experience.
Habib Zahir
Year of graduation: 2012
Major: Biology
Update: I am a resident physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, completing my training at Northwell Health’s North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Long Island, N.Y.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/habib-zahir/
Advice for someone interested in this field: Don’t be afraid to dream big and always believe in yourself. Be willing to make sacrifices and actively seek mentorship. Get involved wherever possible. Much of my success in academia and medicine stemmed from reaching out—cold emailing scientists and physicians to seek guidance and experience. It’s a long journey to become a physician, but such an extraordinary privilege to care for those in need.
Year of graduation: 2011
Major: Science
Update: I am an evolutionary plant biologist who conducts research in the science of urban ecosystems.In 2022, I was chosen as a Science and Technology Policy Fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and am currently hosted at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development, Integrated Climate Sciences Division in Washington D.C. Learn more about Rebecca Panko’s career path.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-panko-phd/
Advice for someone interested in this field: A career in science involves hard work, but it can be very rewarding. If you want to pursue a career in science, I would recommend the following. 1) Work hard in the classroom, 2) Stay organized and manage time wisely, 3) Reach out to scientific organizations (ex: non-profit organizations) and institutions (ex: colleges, museums, botanical gardens) to find out about internship and other types of learning/networking opportunities, 4) Cultivate your specific passions but also be bold and explore beyond your immediate interests, 5) Ask lots of questions!
