December 3, 2002

Students from the University of the Virgin Islands won three awards at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Undergraduate Programs Conference on Undergraduate Research. A total of six projects from UVI science and mathematics students were presented in the poster presentation competition at the annual conference, held on November 22, 23 and 24 at Tuskegee University in Alabama. UVI professors were advisors to five of the projects.

Sabrina Valdivia received the first prize in electrical engineering and electronics for her research advised by UVI Computer Information Systems Professor John Munro. Ranan Mustafa and Yasmine Salem received the third prize in biology for their research advised by UVI Biology Professor Dr. Alice Stanford. Johny Castor received the fourth prize in biology for his research advised by UVI's Dr. Tony Perry.

"Our faculty and the community have a lot to be proud of," said Dr. Camille A. McKayle, associate professor of mathematics and project director for UVI's National Science Foundation HBCU-UP grant program. "UVI has now become the school to look out for at these National HBCU Undergraduate Research in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology conferences," she said.

Other UVI presenters were Nicarter Gordon, Wissam Mustafa, Emily Broderick and Amanda Wilson. Gordon presented a biology poster based on his research conducted at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. Mustafa presented a biology poster on research advised by UVI Biology Professor Dr. Richard Hall. Broderick and Wilson presented an agriculture and environmental sciences poster on their research advised by UVI Professor Dr. Lorraine Buckley.

More than 300 students from various universities attended the conference. There were approximately 110 oral presentations and 75 poster presentations.

"Attendance at national meetings gives our students a chance to meet with students from other colleges and universities. The UVI students become more confident in their work and in their University when they see that they excel when put to the test," Dr. McKayle said.