NECC Partners with Tufts On Summer Research Program

What does northern Essex Community College have in common with a highly-competitive undergraduate research program at Tufts university?

A couple of things, as a matter of fact.

first, nECC graduate phil Starks, a biology professor at Tufts, is the director of the 10-week summer program which is administered by the Tufts biology department with the help of a national Science foundation grant (nSf) that funds summer research programs for undergraduates.

Second, in its nine years of existence, seven nECC students have been chosen to participate in the program, which brings in 10 undergraduates from across the country each summer and places them in faculty labs.

“We had over 350 applicants this year and narrowing that list down to 10 participants was a challenge,” says Starks.

nECC student Steve Brown, who graduated in 2012 with high honors and a liberal arts degree, made the cut, and, as a result, he spent his summer with Starks researching the European wool-carder bee and its interaction with local plants. Brown’s team looked specifically at how plants can emit toxic chemicals when attacked by insects, studying how this particular bee responds to those chemical emissions.

After continuing his education in biology at a four-year college, Brown plans to work as an environmental research scientist.

Starks, who graduated from Harvard and Cornell after earning an associate degree from nECC, has championed the hiring of northern Essex students, believing that community college students are ideally suited for the program.

“The goals go beyond introducing students to independent research. We provide career guidance, facilitate a welcoming community, and advance scientific pursuits.” fifteen percent of students in the research program are currently community college students, and Starks hopes to increase those numbers. He has met with nECC president lane glenn to discuss his goals and glenn has “enthusiastically supported the program,” according to Starks.

“As an nECC graduate, i am happy to see nECC students excel,” says Starks. “This generation of nECC students seems especially motivated, hard-working, and grounded. i t’s been my pleasure to work with them.”

Where are they now?

All of the NECC students who have participated in the Tufts University Summer Undergraduate Research Program from 2003-2012 have gone on to further education and/or careers in science.

Steve Brown, ‘12, Liberal Arts (shown in photo)

Transferring to a four-year college to study biology

Galen Flynn, ’10, General Studies

Enrolled in UMass Lowell’s Commonwealth Honors Program majoring in Biology

Kiersten Gurley, attended ’02-’04, Business Transfer

Enrolled in Tufts University School of Medicine, with plans to graduate in 2014

Joyce Richardson, ’11, Lab Science

Working as a histology technician at Toxikon Corporation in Bedford, MA

Jessica Ryan, ’09, Liberal Arts, Biology Option

Graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science, Integrative Neuroscience and Behavior

Shannon Sheltra, ’11, Respiratory Therapy

Studying at Tufts University with plans to attend medical school

Meridith Decelle Timony, ’00, General Studies

Working as an environmental scientist for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

“The single most important thing I do is put student veterans in touch with the resources they need whether it is in the area of academics, counseling, health care, or financial aid…and I like to think my background lends credibility to this position.”

NECC Serves Those Who Served

Northern Essex Community College prides itself on being a veteran-friendly institution committed to serving those who have served our country. Jeff Williams, NECC’s new veterans services coordinator, guides u.S. military veterans through the sometimes daunting process of deciphering educational benefits, funding resources, and prior credit and/or transfer opportunities so they can achieve their educational and professional goals. The college also has a Veterans & Service Person’s Club and a veterans writing group.

On the right are profiles of three veterans whose lives have been influenced by Northern Essex.

Jeff Williams, NECC veterans services coordinator

When veterans sit down with Jeff Williams, nECC’s veterans services coordinator, they are talking with someone with all the right experience.

Williams, 43, is a Battalion Command Sergeant major in the u.S. Army reserve with one tour in iraq behind him and more than 20 years of experience working in the areas of education and veterans’ services. He is well versed in most things military.

A member of the Vermont national guard while in high school, he subsequently transferred to the Army reserve after graduation from Husson College. He earned a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in public administration from the university of maine, orono. in the years since, he has garnered significant experience in veterans’ services and benefits.

“The single most important thing i do is put student veterans in touch with the resources they need whether it is in the area of academics, counseling, health care or financial aid…and i like to think my background lends credibility to this position,” he says.

”Northern Essex was there for me before and after my deployment,” he says. “Because of NECC I have a career as a respiratory therapist.”

“I knew the military would help me with my plan to go to college to become a journalist,” she says. “I want to earn my master’s in journalism.”

Gerry Vasquez, NECC alumnus neither gerry Vasquez nor northern Essex allowed a tour in iraq with the Army national guard to interfere with his college education or career in health care.

This lawrence High School graduate had completed his prerequisite courses and was enrolled in nECC’s respiratory care associate degree program when his unit was activated in August of 2004. He spent the fall of 2004 and all of 2005 training and working as a military policeman in iraq.

When he returned, Vasquez reenrolled in the program and graduated in may 2008.

Today, the new father is 31 years old and works full time at lawrence general Hospital and part time for Home Care Specialists.

”northern Essex was there for me before and after my deployment,” he says. “Because of nECC i have a career as a respiratory therapist.”

Liseth Velez, NECC student liseth Velez hopes that with the help of northern Essex and the military she will be able to fulfill her dream of becoming an on-air entertainment news reporter.

Born in Colombia, educated in lowell, and currently living in Haverhill, the 21-year-old has thought about the military since she joined the JroTC her freshman year at lowell High School. Currently active with the u.S. Army national guard, she is in the process of transferring to the Air force national guard.

“i knew the military would help me with my plan to go to college to become a journalist,” she says. “i want to earn my master’s in journalism.” most recently, Velez and her unit were activated in preparation for the onslaught of tropical storm Sandy.

The g.i. Bill will help with that.