Maria Rodolis

Region: Mid Hudson
Program Institution: SUNY New Paltz

Education

College/University: SUNY New Paltz
Major/Minor: B.S. Chemistry
Graduation Date: 2010

Graduate School/University: University of Warwick, UK

Advanced Degrees/Professional Licenses: Ph.D. Program

Work History

Employer: University of Warwick, Chemical Biology Department

Significant Professional or Academic Accomplishments: Maria Rodolis graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a B.S. in Chemistry in May 2010. Maria’s first research experience was in summer 2008 working on “Synthesis and Testing of Antimicrobial Activity of Monobactams” as part of the AMP/CSTEP Summer Research Program. She continued working with her mentor, Dr. PreetiDhar (Chemistry), until graduation and her research evolved to “Synthesis of Monocyclic and Bicyclic Lactams”. She presented this research several times including the 2009 Annual Statewide CSTEP Student Conference and the 2010 ACS National Conference in San Francisco. During summer 2009 Maria worked at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica on a project titled, “An Investigation in the Vegetative Buds of TectariaLizarzburui at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica” which she presented as a poster at the 2009 LSAMP International Conference in Florida and the 2010 AnnualStatewide CSTEP Student Conference where she won 2nd place for her poster in her category. She was the Keynote Speaker at the 2010 Mid-Hudson Regional C/STEP Conference and at the 2010 Purchase STEP graduation ceremony. She was inducted into Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society, served as vice president and president, and received an Honorable Upgrade in her senior year. Maria was active AMP/CSTEP participant and received a book award every semester. She also received two AMP/CSTEPOutstanding Scholar Awards and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence in 2010. After graduation Maria participated in the MHIRT program on a molecular biology and virology project at Centro de Biologia Molecular Severa Ochoa in Madrid Spain. Maria was awarded the NSFGRFP and began her PhD program at the University of Warwick in the UK in Fall 2010. Just before she started her doctoral program she returned to SUNY New Paltz to present to current program students about travel and research abroad, both passions she has been able to explore and merge in her life. She is currently working in the Chemical Biology Department at the University of Warwick and responsible for the chemistry laboratory including two undergraduate project students.