AC² Summer Research Symposium 2025: SUNY New Paltz students showcase the power of undergraduate STEM scholarship
Thirteen scholars supported by the AC² (AMP & CSTEP Community) Program at SUNY New Paltz presented insightful and original research studies across a range of topics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at the annual AC2 Summer Research Symposium on June 25.
The Symposium is the culmination of the AC² Summer Research Program, which empowers STEM students to pursue intensive projects with faculty mentors and engage with a broad spectrum of people on the value of these projects.
“It was eye-opening to have this project as my first foray into academic research,” said Jody-Ann Forrester ’28 (Biochemistry), who collaborated on a project guided by Associate Professor of Chemistry Megan Ferguson exploring the Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus bacteria’s potential to aid in urinary tract infection treatment through interaction with the molecules commonly found in cranberry juice. “I had an interest in working as a researcher, and this study solidified this goal.”
AC² project teams produce scholarship addressing pertinent issues around the world, and then present their findings to an audience of peers and mentors at the Symposium.
“It’s more important than ever that we all have a better understanding of science and technology and how research can impact our daily lives,” said AC2 Program Director Nancy Campos.
Across five weeks, this cohort of undergraduate students from SUNY New Paltz and nearby community colleges embarked on in-depth studies on topics from sustainable energy to microbiology, while gaining experience preparing them for careers in STEM.
One example is the cutting-edge wind turbine dynamics tunnel housed in the University’s Engineering Innovation Hub, which Elton Canafe ’28 (Mechanical Engineering) and Kimani Frankson ’25 (Mechanical Engineering) used with Associate Professor Rachmadian Wulandana to design a framework around optimizing wind power in the rural communities of Cumbe, Ecuador and Frankfield, Jamaica.
“These areas have faced problems for years with their energy grid, including blackouts,” said Canafe. “With proliferation of wind energy, there is potential to generate these areas’ economies while also creating a sustainable energy infrastructure.”
Beyond providing immersive opportunities in STEM, AC² and its Summer Research Program give students a space to connect with like-minded peers.
“Having a community where you have people that are similar to you is a great privilege,” said Devin Perez ’26 (Computer Science). “Having an outlet to connect with people on shared experiences, while also exploring cool topics, has been monumental for me.”
The AC2Summer Research Symposium was made possible by SUNY New Paltz’s AC² Program, which combines the Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), to provide academic, financial and professional supports to STEM students from underrepresented backgrounds.
AC2 received additional funding this year from the IMPACT STEM grant, the Resnick Engineering Endowment and the AC2 Program Fund, which was established through various New Paltz alumni donations.
To learn more about AC2, follow them on Instagram @ampcstepnp.
Full list of AC² 2025 Summer Research Symposium Projects
Wind Turbines for Rural Communities
Students: Elton Canafe ’28 (Mechanical Engineering) and Kimani Frankson ’25 (Mechanical Engineering)
Faculty Mentor: Associate Professor of Engineering Rachmadian Wulandana
Investigating the Effects of Cranberry Juice on Biofilm Formation by Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus
Students: Jody-Ann Forrester ’28 (Biochemistry) and Zachary Nagamatsu (SUNY Orange student)
Faculty Mentor: Associate Professor of Chemistry Megan Ferguson
Building a Quantum Computer Using Photons
Students: Edel Sena ’28 (Computer Science), Adri Ganz ’27 (Computer Engineering) and Addisu Lococo (SUNY Dutchess CSTEP program student)
Faculty Mentor: Associate Professor of Physics Catherine Herne
The Effects of Ice Coverage on the Abundance of Algae
Students: Edgar Ordonez ’26 (Biology) and Gabriella Small ’27 (Computer Science)
Faculty Mentor: Biology Professor David Richardson
Understanding Evolution in Networks Using Dynamical Systems
Students: Carter Belon ’27 (Mechanical Engineering) and Aiden Ak ’28 (Astronomy; Physics)
Faculty Mentor: Associate Professor of Mathematics Anca Radulescu and Associate Professor of Physics Richard Halpern
SUNY New Paltz Thermal Dataset: An Open-Source Video Dataset for Evaluating Object Detection Algorithms
Students: Naima Marseille ’27 (Computer Science) and Devin Perez ’26 (Computer Science)
Faculty Mentors: Assistant Professor of Computer Science Sreya Banerjee