Welcome Remarks: Dr. Frances M. Vázquez Padilla Regional Chancellor NUC Ponce
Lunch: 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Student Presentations: 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Presentation I
Presenter: Dainma Martínez and Jasmin Sánchez from Hostos Community College
Biography: Dainma Martínez is a Hostos student majoring in forensic science She is the 2023-2024/2024-2025 Student Government Association (SGA) President and actively participates in the Student Leadership Academy, University Student Senate Delegate, Model Senate, and is the former President of the Black Student Union. Dainma is a First Gen, Afro Latinx from the Bronx who aspires to be a forensic pathologist and, through this work, wants to give families the knowledge of the special circumstances that may have led to the death of their loved ones. Her commitment to service is also reflected in her involvement in community outreach and advocacy for underrepresented groups. Eventually, she hopes to own a funeral home to provide families with the closure and peace they deserve, combining her scientific expertise with compassionate care. Dainma’s dedication to her studies and her community underscores her determination to make a meaningful impact in her field and beyond.
Jasmin Sanchez is an Hostos student majoring in Liberal Science to further her education in Pre Med. She is the 2023-2024/2024- 2025 Student Government Association (SGA) Vice President and University Student Senate Delegate, Jasmin has participated in many events in Hostos as-well as Hostos student symposium, CRSP symposium and LSAMP symposium, where she presented researcher based on effects of herbaceous aromatic plants on ADHD. Jasmin is a Firs Gen, Mexican – American from New York who want to purse her career in the medical field, Jasmin is committed to breaking barriers and inspiring others in the medical field.
Project: Why Cry, We have AI
Description of the project: We’re excited to bring a new level of learning to our community college students by integrating augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) into our science labs. This project is all about making education more engaging and interactive. Imagine students being able to do virtual dissections or explore historical events in 3D, all from the comfort of their classroom. These immersive experiences will not only make learning more fun but also help students grasp complex concepts more easily. This project collates those insights, other cases and models, relevant literature, and first-hand observations to frame a pathway forward for Hostos and other institutions to engage with AR and VR curricular utilization best practices as a solution. Students can practice lab experiments virtually before performing them in real life, enhancing their preparedness and confidence. Students using AR simulations in chemistry reported higher retention rates and a better grasp of abstract concepts.
Presentation II
Presenter: Yashvi Jagatbhai Shah from California State University San Bernardino
Biography: Yashvi Shah is a master’s student in Environmental Science at California State University, with expertise in GIS and remote sensing. Yashvi’s research focuses on glacier mass balance and climate change, with significant experience in geospatial analysis and remote sensing. Yashvi has conducted in-depth research on the Khumbu region glaciers, employing advanced methodologies to assess glacier dynamics. Yashvi has been working as a human resource student assistant for 2 years, contributing to developing teamwork, communication, and project management skills while assisting in recruitment events, facilitating communication between HR and applicants, and contributing to collaborative team meetings.
Project: Assessing Khumbu region glaciers mass balance change using geospatial techniques from 2012 to 2024
Description of the project: This project assessed the impact of climate change on the mass balance of five glaciers in the Khumbu region of the Everest area from 2012 to 2024, using DEM differencing and the AAR method with the NDSI index. The study revealed that all glaciers gained mass from 2012 to 2017, with the Imja glacier showing the highest gain of 4.00 m w.e.aâ»Â¹, but experienced significant thinning from 2017 to 2024, with an average decrease of 3.22 m w.e.aâ»Â¹. Overall, the glaciers’ mass balance decreased by -1.73 m w.e.aâ»Â¹ from 2012 to 2024. The project demonstrated successful implementation of geospatial techniques, highlighting the sensitivity of glaciers to climatic variations, the importance of multi-method approaches, and the broader implications for hydrological systems and risk management, while also addressing data limitations and future research directions.
Presentation III
Presenter: Yolanda Santos from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY
Biography: Yolanda Santos is currently attending John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She is a senior in the BA/MPA program. She is a proud parent of three children and the first one in my family to attend college. She is a Hispanic American woman residing in New York for many years. She loves spending time at home with her children and her dog. She also enjoys traveling with family and friends and visiting new places.
Project: How the use of technology supported my Academic Achievements.
Description of the project: The use of Blackboard Collaborate allowed me to connect with my accounting professor and receive real-time instruction. It also facilitated sharing my screen (allowing the professor to see where I was stuck) and provide appropriate guidance.
Presentation IV
Presenter: Fisayo Jassey Jabarr
Biography: Fisayo Jassey Jabarr, who refers to himself as Jabarr, holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and is an HCC student majoring in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. Jabarr has worked as a Data Analysis Expert and an Information Management Officer for the World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. He also served as an IT Project Manager at two Financial Service Firms. Jabarr is passionate about how data/technology can build solutions, improve processes and sales/services, and, more importantly, enhance human lives. He enjoys working on teams, developing practical solutions using data.
Project: AI for Sustainable Food Security and Humanitarian Relief (AIFSH)
Description of the project: This project leverages AI technologies to enhance humanitarian relief efforts with a focus on achieving sustainable living.