Inside this issue:

Meet the McNair Scholars 2

Presidential Honor & DSTO Excellence in TRIO Award 2011

2

Exemplary Performance—Atlanta Research Conference 2011

3

2011 McNair Scholars, Mentors and Research

4

Scholars on the Move—Grad visits to Univ. of Penn and Princeton Graduate visit

5

All Work & No Play Alumni Updates

6

Publication Corner, featuring Mia Lankford & “Tid-Bits”

7

DSTO Conf. 2011, Meet the Mentor, featuring Dr. Rebecca Fox-Lykens

8

DE Bio-Breakfast Innovative Technology Breakfast

9

Director’s Note Who’s Who

10

The McNair MARQUEE 2011

“Before you can make a dream come true, you first must have one”

Dr. Ronald E. McNair

1950-1986

Volume 5, Issue 1

Introducing… The 2011 McNair Scholars (Left first row) James Smiley, Sashalee King, Gianna Harris, and Malik Foster, (center) Travis Worrell, (Left Second Row) Alexis Davis, Darice Owens, Michelle Rolsal, Cearra Jones, Rashidah McCoy, Jazzmyn Molson, Kara Rice, Clinton Williams, and Synquette Wilks (Top Last row Left) Akiah Powell, Taffie Brown Charles Casteel, Latia Manning, Mikhail Wint, and Jennifer Boucicaut. (Not shown are Tyisha Butler and Samantha Holsey.)

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Project L/EARN Summer Research Training Program 2011

Shatice Jones

Kimele Gray and Shatice Jones are two of the McNair rising stars 2011. This summer they conducted research in Psychology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. Congrats Ladies! Program Overview: Project L/EARN is a program that provides extensive training in re-search and statistics and is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In this Inten-sive ten-week summer research internship, students received daily instruction, hands-on workshops, and computer laboratory sessions providing training in research methods, study design, data management, statistical analysis and interpretation with SPSS, and research writing. Students also worked one-on-one with a faculty mentor to complete summer re-search paper and presented findings in oral and poster presentation format.

Rutgers Faculty Mentor: Antoinette Farmer PhD. Associate Dean of the Depart-ment of Social Work, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Kimele Gray

Page 2

Pursuing Excellence without Excuse

Jennifer Gray has had an exceptional year at DSU. As a 3rd year pro-gram participant, Jennifer has always demonstrated her best in and out-side the classroom. Her list of accomplishments include: Delaware State University Presidential Leadership Award 2011; Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP) Scholar-ship—a regional organization of TRIO Programs; Biology Department Leadership Award; Excellence in TRIO Award, Presented by Delaware State TRIO Organization (DSTO); and the SACNAS National Research Conference, undergraduate research. Jennifer will continue to soar to new heights as she pursues her Ph.D at Drexel University, as a partici-pant in the Bridge –to-the-Doctorate program. Way to Go, Jen!

Being a McNair Scholar has it Privileges!

McNair Scholar of the Year

Excellence in TRIO Award Winner

Delaware Governors’ Biotechnology Scholarship Award Dinner

McNair Scholars attended the annual Delaware Gov-ernors’ Biotechnology scholarship Dinner, held at the Deerfield Golf and Tennis Club, May 25th. The event recognized area students who excel in the field. The event was established in 2006 in recognition of the importance of supporting talented students attending Delaware’s colleges and universities and pursuing programs of study in the biological sciences. Jennifer Boucicaut, Travis Worrell, and Jennifer Gray (grad asst.) enjoyed the awards dinner.

Capri Nugent—Crowned “Miss Jamaica” US,

McNair’s own Capri Nugent, graduate of the class of 2011, was recently crowned Miss Jamaica US—2011. Capri is a wonderful young woman. While attending DSU, Capri ma-jored in English. The entire McNair community wishes Ca-pri much success during her reign as Miss Jamaica!

National Institute of Science/BKX - Atlanta Research Conference 2011

Page 3 Volume 5, Issue 1

McNair Scholars at Atlanta Research Conference (l-r) Troy Miles II, Tiffany Outlaw, Rochelle McDonald, Ashley Shel-ton, Shatice Jones, Ashley Shelton, Ja’Kira Reid, Yahnique Newkirk second row Johnny Taylor, Kimele Gray, Capri Nugent, and Jennifer Gray.

DSU McNair Scholars Demonstrate Exemplary Performance in Research

The 2010-2011 McNair Scholars represented Delaware State University extremely well at the 68th Joint Annual Meet-ing of The National Institute of Science and Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society Research Conference, Fort Valley State university and Clark Atlanta University March 23-27, 2011 DSU McNair Scholars have never failed to win awards for their research. The DSU McNair Program applauds Graduate Student Tiffany Outlaw and undergraduate Kimele Gray their well deserved research competition awards.

Tiffany Outlaw: Outstanding Graduate Research

Kimele Gray: Outstanding Undergraduate Research

Dr. Watson & the Boys Mentor Dr. Clytrice Watson (Center) (R-L) Darrynn Harris, Graduate Student, Troy Miles II, Senior, and Johnny Taylor, Senior at Atlanta Research Conference

(Right) President Obama Awards researcher Via video

Page 4

2011 McNair Scholars, Mentors, and Research

(Center) Rashidah McCoy, Taffie Brown, Kara Rice (Second row L-R) Akiah Powell, Samantha Holsey, Michelle Rolsal, Sashalee King, Gianna Harris, Khalice Payne, Alexis Davis, Cearra Jones (Top Row, L-R) Mikhail Wint, Charles Casteel, Latia Manning, Jennifer Boucicaut, Travis Worrell, Darice Owens, James Smiley, Tyisha But-ler,Synquette Wilks, Malik Foster, Clinton Williams, and not shown Jazzmyn Molson

Clinton Williams Mentor: Dr. Dahlia Jackson-O’Brien Efficacy of Pumpkin Seed Oil in Parasite Control in Lambs Kara Rice, Mentor: Dr. Rachel Pulverman Investigations of Syntactic Bootstrapping Charles Casteel, Mentor: Dr. Gwendolyn Scott-Jones Examining the Underlying Psychopathology of Adolescent Males who have Committed Homicide Khalice Payne, Mentor: Dr. Andrew Blake Autism’s Emotional Impact on Mothers of Autistic Children Darice Owens, Mentor: Dr. Gwendolyn Scott-Jones Using the Sport of Basketball for Social, Physical, Psychological and Educational Development Taffie Brown, Mentor: Dr. Carla Murgia The Effects of Nordic Walking Poles on Middle Aged Women with Metabolic Syndrome J. James Smiley, Mentor: Captain Stephen Speed What is the Cause of Mid Air Collisions?: A study of the reasoning behind the high rate of collisions in instructional flights Jennifer Boucicaut, Mentor: Dr. Cherese Winstead Preparation and characterization of temozolomide-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for targeting brain tumors Travis Worrell, Mentor: Dr. Theresa Tszabo-Maas The Effect of Ethanol on Weakfish Mauthner Cell Rashidah McCoy, Mentor: Dr. Francine Edwards Friend or Foe?: A content analysis of crisis communications through the media during the Japan tsu-nami Akiah Powell, Mentor: Dr. Samuel Hoff The Continuous Role of Religion on Public Policy Cearra Jones, Mentor: Dr. Nicola Edwards-Omolewa African Americans and Mathematics: A Literature Review

Page 5 Volume 5, Issue 1

Scholars on the Move: Graduate visits to U-Penn and Princeton Univ.

2011 McNair Scholars, Mentors, and Research

Malik Foster, Mentor: Dr. Samuel Hoff The Split of Sudan: How Crimes against Humanity Affect Sudan’s Economic Status Gianna Harris, Mentor: Dr. Millicent Carvalho-Grevious The "Sophomore Slump:" The Invisible Year Synquette Wilks, Mentor: Dr. Myna German Extended Internet Use: Friend or Foe? Samantha Holsey, Mentor: Dr. Samuel Hoff Abolish or Not? The true public policy of Capital Punishment through the Northeastern Perspective Mikhail Wint, Mentor: Dr. John Rich Trust: A measure of bias Alexis Davis, Mentor: Dr. Padmini Banerjee Speech Impediments and How it delays a child’s Cognitive and Social Development Jazzmyn Molson, Mentor: Dr. Rachel Pulverman Children Learning Words through Categorization Latia Manning, Mentor: Dr. Lee Streetman The Relation of Cognitive Dissonance in the Initiation Processes and the Development of Social Bonding and Acceptance in the Police Academy

DSU McNair scholars received per-sonal perspectives about pursuing doctoral studies from students of color attending the University of Pennsyl-

McNair Scholars at Princeton

After a long, hard day of learning:

Page 6

Next Level Education Graduates School Darrynn Harris Delaware State University Masters Program Ashley Shelton-Mills Delaware State University Masters Program Jennifer Gray Delaware State University Bridge to Doctorate Program Tiffany Outlaw Delaware State University Master Program Julieta Yung Notre Dame PhD program Crystal Ingram Long Island University Master Program Chiara Fox Wilmington University PhD Program Chester Boyd University of Phoenix PhD Program Asia Paca-Goubourn University of New Haven PhD Program Yaw Boakye-Hwedie University of Delaware Master Program Shanelle Clay Trinity Washington Univ. PhD Program Tanisha Bullock Philadelphia College of Osteo-pathic Medicine Md/PhD Jahmaine Smith Morgan State University PhD Program Courtney Brown Delaware State University Master Program

All Work and No Play? No Way!

McNair Scholars take a look back in history, when visiting the Martin Luther King, Jr.

National Historic Site in Atlanta, during the NIS/BKX Research Conference -

Out and About ’N Hot-lanta!

2011 Summer Social for DSU Undergraduate Researchers

McNair

CREOSA/COASS

SMILE

RISE

Page 7 Volume 5, Issue 1

McNair Scholars are more than students…we’re SCHOLARSSCHOLARSSCHOLARS

McNair Scholar Clinton Williams conducts research on the “Efficacy of Pumpkin Seed Oil in Parasite Con-trol in Lambs”

McNair Scholar James Smiley doing his pre-flight check

Scholars: Kara Rice, Darice Owens, Sashalee King, and Travis Worrell at University of Maryland, College Park

McNair Scholars learning more about research from the National Library of Congress. Thanks Dr. Sybil Moss!

Scholars: Taffie Brown, James Smiley, Charles Casteel, and Travis Worrell work on their re-search in the McNair Computer & Resource lab. “Preparing for take-off”

Publication Corner

Mia Lankford, DSU McNair Alum attends Montclair University in New Jersey. While completing her master’s degree in Psychology, Mia has worked as a member of a research team within her discipline. In July 2011, Mia’s research participation helped yield a a published arti-cle entitled,

Neatness counts. How plating affects liking for the taste of food.

The article appeared in Appetite: Eating and Drinking. Review the abstract or read the article in its entirety, please visit

www.elsvier.ocm “Way to GO, Mia.” We are extremely proud of you!

Coming Soon! Coming Soon! Coming Soon! The DSU McNair Scholars Research Journal 2010-2011

(Review the on-line journal at www.desu.edu/mcnair-scholars-program)

In October, McNair scholars attended the 5th Anniversary of the Innovative Technologies Breakfast, pre-sented by the Office of Sponsored Programs at DSU. ITB showcases the research talents of the DSU Community. The featured presenter was Dr. Stephen Lumor, Associate Professor, Human Ecology De-partment – DSU. The presentation entitled, What Do Trans-Fats & Toxins have in Common reviewed Dr. Lumor’s research on trans-free fat (structured lipids) replacing partially hydrogenated fat in marga-rine and the development of methods for the detection and inactivation of threat agents (toxins) in liquid foods. Pictured (left-to-right: Dr. D. Marsh, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Related Sciences; Mikal Wint, scholar; Dr. Stephen Lumor, presenter; Jennifer Boucicaut, scholar; Charles Casteel, schol-ar)

McNair Scholars Attend Delaware Bio-Science Breakfast

Darrynn Harris (Education/grad asst.), Travis Worrell (Biology), Taffie Brown (Nursing), and Jennifer Boucicaut (Forensic Biology) attended the quarterly breakfast on July 12th at the Christiana Hospital. The Breakfast is a networking opportunity for student re-searchers, professionals, and business organizations. Bruce M. Boman, M. D., MSPH, FACP, Medical Director, Cancer Genetics and Stem Cell Biology at Helen F. Gra-ham Cancer Center at Christiana Care, the featured speaker, presented, “Cancer Stem Cells: Target, Kill and Cure”.

Page 8

On behalf of the Delaware State TRIO Or-ganization, we offer a heartfelt “Thank You” to the University for extending the campus to host the 2011 Excellence in TRIO Student Leadership & Professional Development Conference, spring semester. It was a great opportunity for TRIO program students across the State of Delaware to participate in a student leadership training event, which included the following presentations and workshops: leadership, financial literacy,

parliamentarian procedures, and Teen Summit Delaware – facilitated by TRIO Alum, Chiara Fox (McNair/DSU). More than 14 students were recognized for their academic excellence, commitment to scholarship, and community efforts. Jennifer Gray was honored as the Excellence in TRIO Award recipient for the DSU-McNair Program Award recipients were greeted by Dr. Alton Thompson, University Provost; Honorable Thomas Carper, Senator for the State of Delaware; and Dr. Bradley Skelcher, Associate University Provost. Dr. Harry Williams, Universi-ty President also attended the event. Thanks DSU! Dr. Tonia Perry-Conley

Delaware State TRIO

2011 Confer-

The U.S. Department of Education provides 100% of the funding for the McNair Program The McNair Program is part of the Division of Academic Enrichment

One of our Great Faculty Mentors! Dr. Fox-Lykens

Dr. Fox- Lykens can relate to every DSU undergraduate student at the University, having been one herself. Her education however continued at the University receiving her master’s degree here as well in Educa-tion/Teaching and Learning. Rounding out her education Dr. Fox- Lykens obtained her doctor-al degree from Wilmington University, and now she is honored to give back to her alma-mater by servicing the DSU community. Dr. Fox- Lykens has been a mentor for 3 years to scholars of the Ronald E. McNair Post-Bachelorette program and said it is a “win win” situation, when asked why she mentors schol-ars. “It keeps me in touch with students” she said, “It gives me the opportunity to work with students, and see their growth as scholars over a period of time”. Also because she is not hands on teaching a classroom full of students she explained how being a mentor keeps her in touch with students as well. She then continues on to say her role as a mentor is also a very rewarding experience, not only does she see personal de-velopment from the student, but it is also beneficial for herself as well. “I usually can use the research the student comes up with myself, essentially I’m getting a free researcher” she chuckles. Dr. Fox- Lykens’s academic career is an example of what every McNair student aspires to achieve, and students seem to gain from being under her guidance. The McNair Program is extremely appreciative of Dr. Fox-Lykens’ support and commitment for the scholars. Over the years she has mentored Tiffany Outlaw (’09, ’10) and Sasha – Lee King (’11). Her expertise and guidance, prepared Tiffa-ny to attend the 68th Annual NIS/BKX Research Conference, spring 2011, where she received 3rd place in the oral gradu-ate presentations. The title of her research is, “The Steps and Strategies taken to Improve Low Achieving Schools in Low-income Neighborhoods.” Thanks!

Volume 5, Issue 1 Page 9

The Honorable Senator Thomas Carper (DE-D) kneeling

McNair Scholars Program Director Notes

Name of Scholars 2011-12

Phone: 302-857-6128 Fax: 302-857-6127 E-mail: mcnair.scholars@desu.edu www.desu.edu/mcnair-scholars-program

“Like” us on Facebook: McNair At DSU

Jennifer Boucicaut Taffie Brown

Charles Casteel Alexis Davis Malik Foster

Gianna Harris Samantha Holsey

Cearra Jones Sashalee King Latia Manning

Rashidah McCoy Jazzmyn Molson

Darice Owens Khalice Payne Akiah Powell

This Summer Research Institute of 2011 was an awesome experience. Bonding was at an all-time

high and the opportunities made a very rich experience. The 2011 SRI signified the largest popu-

lation of summer scholars in the history of the DSU McNair program; 24 students took the

plunge, becoming McNair scholars.

Representing such areas as forensic biology, education, chemistry, mathematics, psy-

chology, political science, social work, mass communications, sociology and aviation, this year’s

scholars offered a tremendous amount of diversity. McNair scholars are everywhere; providing

leadership for various academic organizations, volunteering throughout the DSU community and

beyond. Several scholars participate in the University’s Honors Program, which serves as anoth-

er indication of their commitment to excellence.

During the spring semester, McNair attended the annual National Institute of Science/

Beta Kappa Chi research symposium in Atlanta, GA. Kimele Gray (undergraduate competitor/ poster) and Tiffany Outlaw

(graduate competitor/ oral) both received 1st place awards in their respective research areas. In May, fourteen scholars

joined the ranks of DSU/McNair alums – positioning them selves to “Make their Mark on the World.” Jennifer Gray received

the Presidential Leadership Award at this year’s commencement ceremony for her dedication, commitment and excellence

demonstrated during her undergraduate studies. This is the 3rd consecutive year, a McNair scholar has received this coveted

award and recognition. Jennifer was also selected as a Bridge-to-the-Doctorate fellowship recipient. Meanwhile, Capri

Nugent was being crowned Miss Jamaica 2011.

McNair scholars have had an exceptional year. The accomplishment, awards and recognition are numerous. We

applaud each scholar for his/her efforts. With graduate program visits to the University of Pennsylvania, University of Mar-

yland College Park, and Princeton, attending such wonderful events as the Governor’s Bio-Technology Scholarship Award

Dinner, to the Bio-Technology and presentation on Cancer cells at the Christiania Medical Center, McNair scholars have

countless opportunities to explore, expand, and network within their fields of interest.

Whew! What a year…and we’re just getting started!

Join us, become apart of the McNair success story. We are, “More than students…we’re SCHOLARSSCHOLARSSCHOLARS!”

The McNair Program is proud to announce that the graduating class had 100% gradu-

ate school acceptance. The program staff applauds the many achievements of the

McNair Scholars. Continue to…

“Pursue Excellence without Excuse”

Kara Rice Michelle Rolsal James Smiley

Synquette Wilks Clinton Williams

Mikhail Wint Travis Worrell