RUTHERFORD, NJ – Felician University is proud to announce that senior student, Julia Lukasiewicz, is participating in the Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey (ICUNJ) and its sister program, the Independent College Fund of New Jersey (ICFNJ)’s research symposium. This marks the 6th consecutive year that the School of Arts & Sciences will showcase their science program.

Dr. Alfredo Castro, an associate professor of chemistry and physical sciences as well as Lukasiewicz’s mentor, said of the symposium, “The competition will include students from the other member schools. The judging will be carried out by people from the industry and faculty. In addition to mentoring our students every year, I also volunteer my time as a judge.”

Lukasiewicz is a biology major with a minor in chemistry and biochemistry concentration. Her research for the symposium focuses on the research for alternate methods that visualize fingerprints by fuming techniques. This can be compared to using pyrene, a laboratory reagent, to target the oily components from a fingerprint.

“I am grateful to be receiving the funding as it allows me to continue to work on this project – which I’m passionate about. Receiving this funding also gives me the motivation to continue furthering research in the future. I look forward to presenting my findings as well as seeing other’s projects at the symposium,” Lukasiewicz stated.

Dr. Castro said of Lukasiewicz, “Julia is one of our strongest students.”

Felician University offers several accelerated, pre-professional programs with cooperating professional schools. These programs include Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Respiratory Therapy Technology, Medical Imaging Sciences, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, Audiology, and Podiatry.

The ICFNJ provides the opportunity to students from its 14 member institutions to conduct in-depth research on a variety of science-related topics. The symposium challenges students to investigate science and technology through hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Students work with faculty members, test innovative concepts, prepare presentations, and defend their results to judges.

The symposium kicks off at the beginning of April.