FIU STEM Students Present Their Research at Life Science South Florida Symposia, Indian River State College

Eight FIU STEM students presented their STEM research at this year’s Life Science South Florida STEM Symposia. This year’s meeting was hosted by Indian River State College (IRSC) in Port St Lucie. Key notes were delivered by IRSC President, Edwin Massey, Dr. Richard Houghten (Founder and President – Torrey Pines Institute), and Mr. Ken Pruitt (St. Lucie County Property Appraiser and Former Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate). STEM students representing FIU included four FIU DOE Fellows (Christine Wipfli, Kiara Pazan, Christian Pino, and Aref Shehadeh) along with Andres Arango, Alejandra Vivas, Elsa Bravo, and Lararo Mesa.

FIU STEM Students at the Life Science South Florida Symposia 2015. Left to right: Christine Wipfli, Aref Shehadeh, Christian Pino, Kiara Pazan, Lararo Mesa, Andres Arango, Alejandra Vivas, and Elsa Bravo

Two FIU students received awards at today’s LSSF event. Christine Wipfli (DOE Fellow – Class of 2014) obtained 3^rd place for her poster entitled “Sodium Silicate Treatment for Uranium (VI) Removal and pH Stabilization of the Groundwater Systems at the F/H Area of Savannah River Site.” Also, FIU student, Lazaro Mesa, obtained 3^rd place for his oral presentation entitled “Role of NRFI in Breast Cancer Progression and Metastasis.” STEM students from Palm Beach State College, Nova Southeastern University, Miami Dade College, Indian River State College, Florida Atlantic University, Barry University also participated and presented their research at today’s LSSF event.

FIU was also represented by Dr. Leonel Lagos (Director of Research at FIU’s Applied Research Center) and Dr. Shimelis Setegn (Department Environmental & Occupational Health and ARC researcher). Dr. Lagos and Dr. Setegn had the pleasure of serving as judges for this event.