Camarillo, Calif., Dec. 16, 2010 – Two biology undergraduate students from CSU Channel Islands (CI) have been selected as finalists in the 2011 Nagel Undergraduate Research Award Competition at the 23rd Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium. Eight finalists will be interviewed and judged by a panel of experts and one winner will be announced in January.
Seniors Ashley Bonneau and Paramjit Singh were nominated by their Biology Professor Nitika Parmar. Both students are pursuing a B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Cell and Molecular Biology. Both are conducting research with Parmar – Bonneau for the past two years in the area of cancer biology and Singh for last18 months in the area of bioplastics. Presently, they are working with Parmar in preparing manuscripts to be submitted to professional journals.
This will be Bonneau’s fifth award in the last nine months. After graduation next spring, Bonneau, a straight ‘A’ student plans to begin graduate school in fall 2011 to start her work on a Ph.D in molecular biology. Singh, also a straight ‘A’ student, combines academic work with working at least 16 hours a week as a scribe in the Emergency department at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, shadowing a doctor and documenting his work. After graduation Singh will pursue an M.D. or an M.D./Ph.D program.
The CSUPERB Symposium will be held on Jan. 7 and 8, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Orange County. This year’s program theme is innovation, especially as it impacts global health and new product development. The Symposium will allow both seniors to meet professionals in their respective fields. While they have attended the event in the past, as finalists they will have scientists seeking them out this year.
Parmar stated, “Both students have been outstanding and totally committed to the long hours and dedication it takes to achieve excellence.”
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Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.