St. Thomas University Expands Scientific Research Opportunities

MIAMI, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At a time when researchers, scientists and disaster forecast, on-site and logistics personnel are needed more than ever, there is an evident decrease in college graduates in the sciences. Yet Miami's St. Thomas University is all geared up to train the next generation of scientists with an expanded curriculum and the most modern technology for students interested in biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and engineering among other areas.

As a culmination of long-time efforts to inspire youngsters to pursue science careers, on September 22, St. Thomas University dedicated the new research-class Carnival Cruise Lines Science and Technology Building with a ceremony that included as keynote speaker Dr. Mae C. Jemison, the first African-American woman ever to travel into space.

The Cornell educated physician who served as the science mission specialist on space shuttle Endeavor's 1993 flight, spoke about the importance of encouraging the young generations, especially minorities, to study science because of the nation's shortage of students going to college for scientific subjects. "I had to learn very early never to limit myself," Dr. Jemison said. "I had parents, teachers and professors who believed in me."

"As wonderful as the building is, what is more important is what happens inside the building," said President Casale. "Every St. Thomas student, because of the requirement of our core curriculum, will study here. But for our science students, our new facility has core capabilities in advanced chemical analysis, DNA analysis, molecular biology, microscopy, and tissue culture. We have created a partnership with Miami-Dade County Public School System where teachers and administrators are discussing how to improve curricula from kindergarten through college in order to prepare students for science and engineering careers."

Addressing the nation's economic hardships, the Science Fellows Program is being developed to assist low-income, minority students with exceptional scholastic achievements in the sciences, engineering and mathematics. Students can study in a cohort with a personal academic advisor to help them through graduation, provided they meet financial aid and eligibility requirements.

The University is already engaging people of all ages. The Discovery Laboratory is a hands-on venue for elementary, middle, and high school students and teachers to demonstrate and showcase scientific concepts, current research, discoveries, and modern technology. The building's lecture hall, entrance atrium, and outdoor terrace are excellent spaces for public lectures, scientific conferences, and other community activities. Undergraduate students are thrilled to use the new research laboratories and core research facilities for chemistry, microscopy, histology, tissue culture, and molecular biology, working with faculty on publishable forefront research projects. "By the time science students graduate from any of our four-year programs, they will have the same level of experience as a first-year graduate student," said Dr. Edward A. Ajhar, Interim Dean of the School of Science, Technology, and Engineering Management, who received his SB and PhD degrees in physics from MIT. "This experience makes our graduates very competitive for acceptance into the top graduate programs in the country," he added.