Medgar Evers College Students Shine at Middle States Annual Conference
For the second consecutive year, Medgar Evers College students made a strong showing at the Student Poster Session held during the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Annual Conference in Philadelphia. The session highlights exceptional undergraduate and graduate research, providing students with the opportunity to present their work to college presidents, provosts, faculty leaders, and higher education professionals from across the region and beyond.
(Photo courtesy of Dr. Ken Irish-Bramble)
This year’s Medgar Evers College representatives were Adanna Smith, Aaliyah Bartholomew, Shaquan Wilson, and Joel Gonzales. While Nathaly Portorreal was unable to attend the conference, she played an integral role in the research behind one of the featured social work posters. Gonzales was also unable to attend due to a severe medical issue; however, his research was displayed during the session, and special recognition was extended by the President of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, who commended the quality of his work and shared her best wishes for his recovery.
Notably, Medgar Evers College was the only CUNY institution represented by students at the 2025 conference.
The student delegation was led by Dr. Ken Irish Bramble, Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Faculty mentors supporting the students’ research included Dr. Michael Tessler, Dr. Joyce Roberson Steel, Dr. Marta Kalamarz, and Dr. Oluwaseun Salako, whose guidance helped prepare students for national level scholarly engagement.
The posters reflected research from multiple disciplines including biology, environmental science, and social work and addressed topics ranging from genetics and biodiversity to civic engagement. The student presentations included:
- Zeta Potential of SiO₂ and TiO₂ in Surfactant Solutions, Joel Gonzales
- Ornamental Trees Support Less Biodiversity Than Native Species, Adanna Smith
- Identification of Orthologues of Insulin Pathway Interacting Genes in the Drosophila Genus, Aaliyah Bartholomew
- Use of Technology on Campus to Promote Voter Registration, Nathaly Portorreal & Shaquan Wilson
Dr. Irish Bramble also serves as the campus director for CUNY ICORP (Innovative Career Opportunity and Research Program), which supports SEEK students by providing structured research experiences, conference participation, and graduate school preparation. In addition to ICORP, he previously directed theCaribbean Research Center and continues to lead a nationally recognized summer research institute that has hosted students from institutions such as Northwestern, Brown, and Emory Universities.
(Photo courtesy of Dr. Ken Irish-Bramble)
A 2024 undergraduate research presentation at the CUNY Graduate Center first caught the attention of Medgar Evers College President Patricia Ramsey and Provost Antoinette Coleman, setting the stage for the college’s strong presence at Middle States.
“What they saw were Medgar Evers College students presenting research across a wide range of disciplines, from social work to biochemistry,” Irish Bramble recalled. “The president reached out to ask if some of these students could present at the Middle States conference.”
President Ramsey, a scientist by training, was struck by the clarity, confidence, and rigor of the students’ work.
(Photo courtesy of Dr. Claudia Schrader)
“All of our representatives were SEEK students, and because of that they came from different majors,” she said. “I went around to all the posters, and many of them were outstanding in both content and explanation. When Middle States later put out a call for student posters, I knew immediately that we already had students who were ready.”
Although ICORP students were unavailable for this year’s conference, Irish Bramble worked closely with Dean Sandie Han of the School of Science and Allied Health and organizers of the Medgar Evers College Research Day to identify other strong student research projects. He also collaborated with Sasha Richardson, Assistant Program Coordinator for CUNY ICORP at Medgar Evers College, to coordinate submissions and logistics.
Ultimately, Smith, Bartholomew, and Wilson were able to attend in person—and their impact resonated well beyond the poster session. President Ramsey invited fellow CUNY presidents, including Dr. Christine Mangino (Queensborough Community College), Dr. Anthony Munroe (Borough of Manhattan Community College), and Dr. Claudia Schrader (York College), to visit the Medgar Evers College posters.
“When Aaliyah was presenting, Dr. Schrader leaned over and asked me, ‘Why do you have a faculty member presenting here?’” Ramsey recalled. “That’s how impressive she was.”
(Photo courtesy of Dr. Claudia Schrader)
Dr. Schrader later shared her reaction publicly on LinkedIn, praising Bartholomew’s poise, depth of knowledge, and professionalism an endorsement that underscored the national level quality of undergraduate research at Medgar Evers College.
The experience was transformative for Bartholomew, a senior biology major with a minor in environmental science and a member of the women’s track team.
“I could not have imagined the impact attending MSCHE would have on me,” she said. “I shared my research with CUNY presidents, faculty, and students from across the country. I received invaluable advice, mentorship, and encouragement. I walked away emboldened and deeply grateful for the opportunity.”
For Irish Bramble, moments like these affirm the depth and breadth of undergraduate research happening at Medgar Evers College.
“People often underestimate the extent of research taking place here,” he said. “What Aaliyah demonstrated—and what all of these students represent—is that Medgar Evers College students can compete and excel at the highest levels. Seeing that recognition extend beyond our campus makes all the effort worthwhile.”