When COVID-19 ravaged supplies of personal protective equipment and ventilators in the spring, medical students from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) assisted in critical efforts to provide hospitals with the necessary gear. As impending shortages loomed, the medical students supported faculty and partners of NYITCOM's Center for Biomedical Innovation in bridging the gap between supply and demand. Adhering to National Institutes of Health (NIH) standards, the team used 3-D printers to produce ventilator Y-splitters, as well as other prototypes and equipment.

Twenty students completed New York Institute of Technology's rigorous Internship Certificate Program during summer 2020, earning valuable hands-on experience and developing skills in a wide range of work environments.

As seen in The Box, two NYIT College of Engineering and Computing Sciences students have been awarded the Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Scholarship (CySP). Zachary Singleton, a graduate student studying cybersecurity, and Michael Valenzuela, an undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer science-network security, will each receive the full cost of tuition, books, and required fees. In exchange for a full scholarship, the students will perform a service obligation with the DoD as civilian employees. The DoD gives the scholarship as a grant to designated Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) schools. Only students at designated CAE-CDE schools are permitted to apply for the scholarship. The scholarship program is designed to encourage the recruitment of the nation's top cyber talent and the retention of DoD personnel who have skills necessary to meet DoD's cyber requirements and help secure our nation against threats of information systems and networks.

In August, four New York Institute of Technology students assisted university instructors in virtually teaching twenty-one rising sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students during the weeklong Middle School Summer Maker Academy. Lessons and workshops informed middle schoolers about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) topics and careers, as well as United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. The program included five days of lessons and concluded with a showcase of the students' final challenge, building a Clean Cargo Allocation Ready Truck. The project was required to meet the main objectives set forth by U.N. Sustainability Development Goal #3, to "ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, at all ages." The event was hosted by NYIT College of Engineering and Computing Sciences and NYIT College of Arts and Sciences, and was made possible through a Voya Foundation grant.

Over the summer, New York Institute of Technology's student orientation leaders virtually welcomed new students ahead of the fall semester. Orientation leaders facilitate discussions with new students on campus resources, academic success, and life as a New York Tech student. In past years, orientation events have taken place at New York Tech's Long Island and New York City campuses. This year's event was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three students from NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) are helping to research how Parkinson's disease impacts women in their 30s and 40s. Historically, there have been many studies conducted about Parkinson's disease, a progressive nervous system disorder that affects not only movement, but a host of non-motor symptoms such memory, sleep, and digestion. However, because the disease is more common among men and people over the age of 60, there are still many unknowns regarding how Parkinson's affects women, especially those in their 30s and 40s. Medical students Laura Ketigian, Kaylie McGivney, and Nicholas Piniella are assisting faculty researchers from NYITCOM and the NYIT School of Health Professions Doctor of Physical Therapy program to gather baseline data from Parkinson's disease patients, with the ultimate goal of stimulating future studies on this population. Data was collected at a recent virtual symposium held by New York Institute of Technology's Adele Smithers Parkinson's Disease Center. Read more about the symposium.

On May 21, 2020, the 44 nursing students from New York Institute of Technology's Class of 2020 were welcomed into the profession with a pinning ceremony. Nursing school pinning ceremonies are a rite of passage to mark the completion of students' training and to celebrate the start of their professional careers. This year's ceremony was conducted remotely due to the current crisis.

New York Institute of Technology welcomes its newest students for the fall 2020 semester.

Each spring, the Office of Student Life presents awards to outstanding members of the graduating class. This year's award winners are part of a "tradition of recognizing our student leaders," according to Tiffani L. Blake, M.S., Ed.M., New York Tech's interim assistant provost for student engagement and development. Eleven students were honored with Student Life awards for their contributions to the university.

Sixty-six students completed New York Institute of Technology's rigorous Internship Certificate Program during spring 2020, earning valuable hands-on experience, developing resilience in a real-life work environment, and honing other skills related to their chosen professions.

Environmental Technology student Alex Atrachji created UtiliWaste Connect to help consumers divert food waste for renewable energy generation.

New York Institute of Technology student-athletes scored big in the classroom in fall 2019. In all, 127 student-athletes achieved at least a 3.2 GPA last semester.

New York Institute of Technology student-athletes scored big in the classroom during the fall 2019 semester. In all, 127 student-athletes achieved at least a 3.2 GPA.

More than 500 students received degrees from New York Institute of Technology as fall graduates of the Class of 2019.

New York Institute of Technology congratulates the 545 students named to the Fall 2019 Dean's List.

New York Institute of Technology congratulates more than 1,000 students who were named to the Fall 2019 Presidential Honor List.

More than 350 New York Institute of Technology students completed community-based service-learning projects in support of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) during the Fall 2019 semester. In service-learning, the theory or concept of a course is paired with a social issue in the community. Students learn key concepts and then apply the lessons to solve a problem for the public good. The critical thinking gained from performing these community-based projects can also build valuable soft skills that employers are looking for, including confidence and interpersonal skills. A total of 353 students completed more than 170 hours of service-learning on projects that had a $4,361 economic impact. Students overcame challenges in a variety of STEAM-based projects that took them into New York City public schools, where one group taught music theory and another team analyzed children's body language. Students also completed STEAM-based projects that tackled challenges such as Long Island's food waste and transit sustainability.

During a recent elementary school visit to the New York Institute of Technology Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center (ETIC), seven New York Tech students helped children to become computer scientists and engineers for a day. The NYIT College of Engineering and Computing Sciences students joined Michael Nizich, Ph.D., ETIC director, in leading fifth-graders from Idle Hour Elementary School (Oakdale, N.Y.) in hands-on STEM activities that introduced them to emerging technologies and strategic problem-solving. The college students helped children draw up ideas to meet United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and then assisted the fifth-graders in prototyping their concepts using pipe cleaners, Legos, and erector sets. New York Tech students also demonstrated and helped the children to experiment with technology such as robotics, mixed reality, computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing, video game design, and computer simulations. The children also learned about potential careers in engineering fields, including Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Cybersecurity.

Leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, on November 26, five New York Institute of Technology students participated in FeedingNYC. The students met at Chelsea Piers at 5 a.m. for the annual initiative, which has prepared and delivered more than 70,000 boxes of food to families over the past 17 years.

More than 70 students completed New York Institute of Technology's rigorous Internship Certificate Program during fall 2019, earning valuable hands-on experience and developing skills in a wide range of work environments.

On December 12, students from New York Institute of Technology's College of Engineering and Computing Sciences presented projects at the 2019 Undergraduate Research and Entrepreneurship Program (UREP). Held at the university's New York City campus, UREP provides NYIT College of Engineering and Computing Sciences undergraduate students with opportunities to work on group research or entrepreneurship projects under the guidance of faculty mentors. Each UREP team is awarded $500 throughout the duration of their study at New York Tech to cover the cost of supplies and materials to engage in research activities. This year's projects included Microwave Imaging for Non-Metallic Media, Cancer Detection Using an Array of Split Ring Resonators, Hydrogen-Powered Cars, and many others.

On October 26, New York Insititute of Technology students volunteered at Long Island's first accessible haunted house, providing children with special needs a fun and inclusive Halloween treat. Hosted by NYIT School of Health Professions, the wheelchair accessible haunted house was set on a single floor in Anna Rubin Hall on the Long Island campus. The attraction was a welcoming and festive experience for families affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities. Volunteers led families through each room, which were divided into three scare levels: Minimum Scare, Maximum Scare, and No Scare. Several of the elements traditionally found in Halloween attractions were omitted, including flash and strobe light displays and physical contact from actors, to prevent unnecessary distress among the children. Parents had the opportunity to evaluate the haunted house and its rooms to ensure the experience was right for their child. Children were encouraged to explore their creative side and got "crafty" at a pumpkin painting station. The fun-filled event supported Inclusive Sports and Fitness, Inc. (ISF), a 501 (3) (c) nonprofit organization that provides health promotion and wellness activities, sports instruction, and physical fitness training for children and adults with different abilities.

Students from New York Institute of Technology's College of Engineering and Computing Sciences attended this year's Society of Women Engineers 2019 conference. The event, which is the world's largest conference and career fair for women in engineering and technology, took place November 7-9 in Anaheim, CA. Students discovered career opportunities, made connections with industry, and were inspired by new mentors. Females only account for 21% of New York State's engineering graduates, but students who attended were inspired to help break boundaries and continue to promote diversity within the engineering and STEM fields. Students discovered career opportunities, met with industry leaders, and connected with new mentors. The Society of Women Engineers, founded in 1950, is a not-for-profit educational and service organization in the United States. SWE has over 37,000 members in nearly 100 professional sections and 300 student sections throughout the United States.

New York Institute of Technology students completed travel-related projects during the summer and fall of 2019 as part of the Edward Guiliano Global Fellowship program. Students traveled to: Mexico City, Mexico Costa Rica Bogota, Colombia San Francisco, California Hanoi, Vietnam Xi'an, China Guilin, China

On October 18, New York Institute of Technology launched its first Community Free Clinic (CFC) session at The Pillars in Harlem, NY. New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine students volunteered at the community health care clinic, screening patients for conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. In partnership with The Pillars, a New York City-based substance abuse recovery center, the CFC offers free monthly screenings, as well as education sessions. Special attention is paid to medical issues that are prevalent in the Harlem community, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The clinic is part of the Building Resilient Communities initiative between New York Institute of Technology and Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI), which encourages collaboration and programming that benefits Harlem's Bradhurst community and New York Tech students.

On October 23, students in New York Institute of Technology's nursing program received their white coats. The Nursing White Coat Ceremony signifies the transition from classroom learning to clinical learning, and represents a formal welcome into the nursing profession. It is held each fall semester of the students' junior year, before beginning their first clinical experience in health facilities.

Thirty-six New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) student researchers made an impressive showing at the 2019 national Osteopathic Medical Education Conference (OMED), held October 25 to 28 in Baltimore, Maryland. Medical students from both NYITCOM-Long Island and NYITCOM-Arkansas had poster presentations featured at the conference. Posters spanned a variety of research topics, including Parkinson's disease, eSports medicine, migraines, and chronic kidney disease, among others.

The student-athletes achieved a 3.2 or better GPA in the spring 2019 semester, and qualified for the university's Athletic Director's Honor Roll. Thirteen student-athletes actually produced perfect 4.0 GPAs: Julia Andor, Kaitlyn Byrnes, Ashley Claud, Diego Espiniella, Madisyn Hausch, Jean Kehyayan, Kylie Lacerte, Veronika Nemcova, Ane Rake, Ruth Rodriguez, Martin Sundell, Pol Zapata and Ann-Kathrin Zilles.

While some medical students took a summer break from their research, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) student Connor Abramowicz spent his summer researching cancer treatments at the birthplace of DNA's double helix: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. Growing up on Long Island's north shore, Abramowicz's family would often visit Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's science expositions. So when his application to be part of an investigation at the historic research lab was accepted, he took full advantage of the opportunity. Abramowicz joined the research lab of Jason Sheltzer, Ph.D., who studies aneuploid tumors, tumors with cells containing the wrong number of chromosomes. "Dr. Sheltzer wanted the perspective of a medical student, as most of the people in the lab came from a research background. I was extremely lucky to be offered a position at such a prestigious institution," he said. In their study published in Science Translational Medicine, the researchers wanted to understand why the failure rate is so high to determine how future therapies, namely targeted cancer therapies, could be more effective. When a new drug is tested in a clinical trial for a particular type of cancer, 97 percent of the time that new drug does not make it to market. However, the reasons why so many of these drugs fail is not well understood. They discovered, in the case of targeted cancer therapies, that these treatments may not be hitting their intended targets. Unlike other cancer treatments like chemotherapy, targeted therapies, which are used to treat many common cancers such as breast cancer, are meant to be aimed at the particular genes, proteins, or tissues that cancer cells need to grow and thrive. The researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis, the gold standard of genome editing tools, to see whether ten different targeted treatments were working as intended. They found that the drugs were not effective because they were missing the mark and targeting proteins not essential for cancer cell proliferation-a phenomenon known as off-target toxicity. Their work suggests that one of the reasons why some targeted treatments may fail in clinical trials is because the drugs are not designed properly. The researchers believe their study will spur more investigations into why so many cancer drugs are ineffective, with the hope that their work will pave the way for better treatments. The research was especially inspiring for Abramowicz, who hopes to one day become an oncologist. "Cancer treatment is an extremely important topic in modern medicine because it's one of the few diseases that we're still trying to treat effectively," he said. "Knowing what each cancer medication does in terms of its mechanism of action is important in producing a well-rounded medication profile."

For 10 days in July, 12 students in NYIT School of Health Professions traveled to Greece on a medical outreach program to work with refugees.