May 12, 2022
Dr. Odaelys Pollard, who earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology at New York Medical College and has served as a scientist and educator at Rockefeller University and other colleges, joins Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) as Director of Research Programs.
Working with the Department of Academic Affairs, academic department chairs, faculty and staff, Dr. Pollard will develop a strategic plan that supports the growth of scholarly research at BMCC.
She will analyze funding opportunities, guide the grant development process at BMCC, and supervise policy and regulation compliance in grant submissions and reporting. Alongside scientists and others at the College, Dr. Pollard will guide faculty in developing research projects that support the BMCC mission, and lead professional development activities with researchers and other faculty members.
Dr. Pollard earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology in 2007 at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, and conducted post-baccalaureate research at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, New York. She was awarded a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology at New York Medical College (NYMC), Rochester, New York, in 2015.
Exemplary service in support of underrepresented students developing their research skills is a thread that characterizes Dr. Pollard’s career.
Early roles include having tutored in the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) and served on the New York Medical College (NYMC) Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, having co-founded the NYMC Black Graduate Student Association and served on the board of the non-profit A Village.
Dr. Pollard’s many honors and awards include having been featured as a speaker and panelist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, New York University, Columbia University and STEP conferences. She has led motivational workshops at Rutgers University and organized the NYMC Pre-Health Mentoring planning committee. Dr. Pollard is also a member of the 500 Women Scientists Network, the Women in Science at Rockefeller (WISeR) and the Rockefeller Inclusive Science Initiative.
Classroom experience for Dr. Pollard includes having taught biology at Pace University; genetics and epidemiology in the CUNY Urban Scholars Program; microbiology at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Science, and a seminar on research opportunities at Hunter College and the Macaulay Honors College, CUNY.
Most recently, at Rockefeller University, Dr. Pollard led the Learning at the Bench (LAB) Backstage virtual program to provide STEM engagement for New York City Department of Education teachers and students during the pandemic. She oversaw research projects through LAB which recruit underserved high school students into Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Project, and fostered collaborations with scientists seeking to provide research experiences for high school and college students.
Dr. Pollard begins her tenure as Director of Research at BMCC on Tuesday, May 31.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Dr. Odaelys Pollard, who has served as a scientist and educator at Rockefeller University and other colleges, joins BMCC as Director of Research Programs as of May 31
- Dr. Pollard has fostered research collaborations between scientists and high school and college students, and oversaw research projects which recruit underserved high school students into Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Project
- Working with the Department of Academic Affairs, academic department chairs, faculty and staff, Dr. Pollard will develop a strategic plan that supports the growth of scholarly research at BMCC
