Honors Student Spotlight Showcases Exceptional Talent

The Middlesex College Honors Student Spotlight, held on December 2, showcased the hard work and achievements of the College’s honor students. The afternoon included presentations, discussions, and a chance to celebrate these brilliant students’ dedication and creativity.

“At the Honors Student Spotlight, our students step into their moment and our community grows stronger,” said Professor of Natural Sciences Claire Condie. “Students share their ideas; faculty, administrators, and staff cheer them on; and together we celebrate the curiosity and creativity that make our Honors Program so special.”

Student presentations ranged in a variety of topics including women’s suffrage in New Jersey, the statistics of dog adoption rates, and the sociological characteristics present in Avatar: The Last Airbender.

“I love events like the Honor Student Spotlight because it’s the one time my research gets attention without me bribing my friends to listen,” joked honors student Varunika Shree Prabhuram. “My research explores how technology and engineering can create practical solutions.”

The event also helps students build presentation and communication skills, according to honors student Faith Valdata, who presented on local climate and environmental research.

“Events like the Honors Spotlight are important not only for showcasing your hard work and knowledge but also for embracing your own imperfections,” said honors statistics student Dylan Rota. “We all chase perfection, yet choosing to be vulnerable before a crowd that may critique your ideas strengthens your resilience and confidence for future achievements.”

Congratulations to the Student Presenters:

• Elizabeth Allí PHI 123 HONORS “Ethics:  Focus on Solutions to Curing Loneliness on Campus”
• Nicholas Alummootil ENG 121 HONORS “The Carbon Footprint of Global Soccer Competitions”; and HIS 258 HONORS “A Revolution at the Ballot Box: New Jersey’s Early Women Voters and Their Legacy”
• Ross Barretto PHI 123 HONORS “Assessing the Effectiveness of Philosophy as Therapy on Campus”
• Aarzoo Brahmbhatt PHI 123 HONORS “Ethics:  Focus on Solutions to Overcome Anxiety and Stress on Campus”
• Sean Burns MAT 131 HONORS “Calculus and Shifting Market Volatility”
• Christopher Castagnetta SCI 179 HONORS “From Maps to Meaning: A Step-by-Step Guide to Climate and Environmental Research in Our Neighborhoods”
• Mariela Flores PHI 123 HONORS “Assessing the Effectiveness of Philosophy as Therapy on Campus”
• Victor Gil ENG 122 HONORS “Toph Beifong: Behavioral Analysis of Newfound Freedom”
• Kimberly Henao MAT 132 HONORS “Using Surface Area Integration to Model Foundation Application on the Human Face”
• Shreya Karmokar MAT 123 HONORS “Concentration vs. Sleep”
• Maryam Khan ENG 121 HONORS “The Human Cost of Fast Fashion”
• Rimo Mathew ENG 121 HONORS “Microplastics: A Growing Threat to Human Health”
• Varunika Shree Prabhuram MAT 132 HONORS “The Role of Complex Numbers in AC Circuit Analysis”
• Mike Rodriguez HIS 258 HONORS “A Revolution at the Ballot Box: New Jersey’s Early Women Voters and Their Legacy”
• Dylan Rota MAT 132 HONORS (combined project with MAT 123 HONORS) “Modeling Arterial Flow Rate and Radial Sensitivity”
• Gurleen Saran PHI 123 HONORS “Ethics:  Focus on Solutions to Overcome Anxiety and Stress on Campus”
• Violet Sawicki MAT 123 HONORS “Dog Adoption Statistics”
• Angeli Singh ENG 122 HONORS “The Horrors of Fame: Perfect Blue”
• Nicholas Spaziani SCI 179 HONORS “From Maps to Meaning: A Step-by-Step Guide to Climate and Environmental Research in Our Neighborhoods”
• Faith Valdata SCI 179 HONORS “From Maps to Meaning: A Step-by-Step Guide to Climate and Environmental Research in Our Neighborhoods”
• Khizer Yusufzai SCI 179 HONORS “From Maps to Meaning: A Step-by-Step Guide to Climate and Environmental Research in Our Neighborhoods”