Miami Dade College to Host 10th Anniversary School of Science White Coat Ceremony and STEM Research Symposium

Miami, Oct. 26, 2021 – The School of Science at Miami Dade College (MDC) will host the 10th anniversary White Coat Ceremony at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28.  and the STEM Research Symposium on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 9 a.m. at the North Campus.  Both events will focus on the training and recognition of up-and-coming researchers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“This 10th anniversary White Coat Ceremony and STEM Research Symposium is a milestone for the School of Science and a testament to Miami Dade College’s focus to put students first, especially in the area of STEM,” said Dr. Victor Okafor, Dean of the School of Science.

More than 60 students will officially be inducted into MDC’s Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences program during the ceremony. During the event, students and other attendees will hear inspirational reflections from alumni, such as Alejandro Tamayo, a 2020 bachelor’s graduate who is currently a Ph.D. student in the molecular cell and developmental biology graduate program at the University of Miami. In addition, Paul M.T. Pham, who serves as Director of Research and Development at New Vision Pharmaceuticals, where his mission is making products better through innovation, will deliver a keynote address. With several years in pharmaceutical industry experience, he is knowledgeable about manufacturing, quality control, quality assurance, regulatory, safety and government regulations including FDA and DEA compliance.

On Oct. 30, the STEM Research Symposium will showcase the original research of more than 100 MDC students who worked alongside scientists from MDC, the University of Florida, University of Miami, Nova Southeastern University, Florida Atlantic University, and St. Thomas University, as part of the School of Science’s Summer STEM Research Institute and year-round research program.  Undergraduate research is a hands-on learning activity that enriches a student’s undergraduate experience. Participation in research broadens and deepens the students’ classroom learning and supports the development of a range of professional skills for the workforce or in pursuit of advanced degrees in STEM areas.

The featured research projects cover a wide variety of fields, including biology, physics, chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and genetics. The Symposium audience will have the exclusive opportunity of joining Genomics expert Carlos Bustamante during his keynote address.  Bustamante is a scientist, investor, and entrepreneur focused on the application of data science and genomics technology to problems in medicine, agriculture, and biology. He is on leave from Stanford University where he is a Professor of Biomedical Data Science, Genetics, and Biology. He was founding Director of the Stanford Center for Computational, Evolutionary, and Human Genomics and is Inaugural Chair of the Department of Biomedical Data Science. Bustamante has a passion for building new academic units, non-profits, and companies to solve pressing scientific challenges. He is also currently Founder and Chairman of the Board of Galatea Bio, Inc.; a Director at EdenRoc Sciences, LLC and Etalon DX; Founder of Arc Bio, LLC and CDB Consulting LTD; and has served as SAB member for more than a dozen companies. Carlos received his Ph.D. in Biology and MS in Statistics from Harvard University.

“We congratulate undergraduate students for their commitment to scholarship and celebrate the dedication of faculty mentors who ensure the research was realized,” said Dr. Loretta Ovueraye, MDC’s Vice-Provost of Workforce Programs and Professional Learning,

WHAT:              10th Annual White Coat Ceremony and STEM Research Symposium

 

WHEN:             White Coat Ceremony-Thursday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m.

STEM Research Symposium- Saturday, Oct. 30, at 9 a.m.

 

WHERE:          MDC North Campus, 11380 NW 27th Avenue

White Coat Ceremony- Science Complex Plaza

STEM Research Symposium -Conference Center, Room 3249

 

Livestream of White Coat Ceremony will be available at www.mdc.edu/livestream

Livestream of STEM Research Symposium will be available at https://libraryguides.mdc.edu/STEMSymposium

For more information, please contact Dr. Victor I. Okafor, Dean of the School of Science, 305-237-1757, vokafor@mdc.edu.