Mercy Students Win Top Honors at Regional MACUB Research Conference
ĢAV student winners Ashley Onofre (left) and Chidinma Echezona (right) pose with Kathleen Nolan, president of the Metropolitan Association of College and University Biologists (middle) at this year’s MACUB Conference.
Students from ĢAV earned multiple top awards at this year’s Metropolitan Association of College and University Biologists (MACUB) Conference, a respected regional gathering that promotes undergraduate research and collaboration in the biological sciences. Their achievements highlight both the strength of Mercy’s academic programs and the university’s sustained commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists and educators.
Nearly 30 biology majors presented research spanning neuroscience, developmental biology, molecular plant biology, microbiology and biochemistry. Participation in MACUB offered students valuable professional exposure, provided opportunities to communicate their scientific findings and allowed them to engage with peers and faculty across the tri-state area.
This year’s ĢAV award winners include:
1st Place, Neuroscience and Physiology category
- Students: Chidinma Echezona and Ashley Onofre
- Faculty Mentor: Renée Haskew-Layton, PhD
- Research Project: “Astrocytes release the antioxidant glutathione via volume-regulated anion channels”
1st Place, Developmental Biology and Genetics category
- Student: Annelle Veronika Mpoungui Mpambou
- Faculty Mentor: Chun Zhou, PhD
- Research Project: “Protein expression and purification of the mutated versions of the Bgl B enzyme”
3rd Place, Microbiology and Immunology category
- Students: Bianca De La Cruz, Nawal Haroon, Abraham Haseq (WCC student through grant partnership)
- Faculty Mentor: Devdutta Deb
- Research Project: “A closer look at Oomycete Effector Protein RxL10 and its impact on Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and Glycine max (soybean) plants”
Dr. Renée Haskew-Layton, associate dean of the School of Health and Natural Sciences, praised the students’ dedication and the depth of their preparation.
“To prepare, our students synthesized the scientific background related to their projects, analyzed data, interpreted results, and mapped out future directions in a scientific poster format,” she said. “Conferences like MACUB allow students to connect theory to practice and to learn from undergraduate peers at nearby institutions. Presenting to audiences outside of ĢAV brings a strong sense of accomplishment and highlights that they are conducting authentic scientific research.”
ĢAV President Susan L. Parish, Ph.D., M.S.W., celebrated the students’ success, adding, “I’m so grateful to the faculty for creating these exceptional experiences for our students.”
Provost Kristin Curry Greenwood, PT, DPT, Ed.D., M.S., FNAP, echoed the sentiment: “Excellent achievements of students and faculty mentors!”
For the student winners, the recognition marks both an academic milestone and a validation of their hard work.
Chidinma Echezona, a first-place winner in Neuroscience and Physiology, reflected on the experience:
“Participating in this conference for a second time was both exciting and nerve-wracking. Working with my brilliant partner, Ashley, and our wonderful mentor made the experience incredibly fulfilling. Winning first place was surreal and amazing—it solidified our sense of accomplishment and made all the long hours worth it.”
She also expressed deep appreciation for her mentor. “Working with Dr. Haskew-Layton. was a huge honor. Her experience and guidance made the entire process worthwhile. My love for research has only grown because of her mentorship.”
Her project partner, Ashley Onofre, shared similar feelings:
“Winning first place was an incredibly emotional moment. We worked so hard—both on the science and on learning how to communicate it clearly. It felt like everything came together when we presented to the judges. Working with Dr. Renée Haskew-Layton was a huge honor; her support and expertise made a tremendous difference.”
ĢAV’s award-winning students, alongside dedicated faculty mentors, continue to strengthen a thriving culture of scientific inquiry—one that prepares students not only for future research careers but also for meaningful contributions to the broader scientific community.
Student Annelle Veronika Mpoungui Mpambou, who won first place in the Developmental Biology and Genetics category.
From left to right: Mercy student Nawal Haroon, faculty mentor Dr. Devdutta Deb and WCC student Abraham Haseq, who was part of a Mercy-WCC summer research program. The students won third place in the Microbiology and Immunology category.