The Queensborough Community College Awards
Excellence
in
Faculty
Scholarship
2016
T h e
C i t y
U n i v e r s i t y
o f
N e w
Y o r k
Among the best of what Queensborough has to offer.
The Award for Excellence in Faculty Scholarship honors tenured faculty who have
sustained a record of academic distinction in either scholarship or creative expression,
as determined by peer review.
Every two years, the Office of Academic Affairs issues an invitation to senior faculty
for nominations. A selection committee of academic department chairs, nominated
by peers, is convened. The committee evaluates the body of scholarship and creative
achievements presented by nominees from a variety of academic departments. The
committee selects the faculty honorees from among a wealth of talent, expertise, and
individuals committed to academic excellence.
Honorees, with their diverse interests and talents, are representatives of the best of
what Queensborough has to offer. Each honoree is notable for the love of his or her
discipline, having high standards, and for sharing his or her passion and achievements
with students, colleagues and the larger community.
Dr. Nidhi Gadura is a biologist who has done work in the biotechnology and received several significant grants in
her field, as well as science education. Dr. Moni Chauhan’s research is in the field of nanotechnology, which involves
the manipulation of matter in the molecular scale. Both honorees involved students in their research and have made
significant contributions in their disciplines through published articles, books, and conference presentations.
As Provost and Vice President for Academic Affair, I am privileged to be a part of the academic community at
Queensborough and to participate in honoring these stellar faculty members. Hearty congratulations to the recipients
of the 2016 Award for Excellence in Faculty Scholarship!
Paul Marchese, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice Present for Academic Affairs
Dr. Moni Chauhan
Dr. Moni Chauhan joined the Department of Chemistry as an assistant professor in January of 2002. Her
research is in the field of nanotechnology, which involves the manipulation of materials and devices one thousand
times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. This research has been identified as an area which will drive
the world economy in the future. Her scholarship and creative achievements comprise twenty published peer
reviewed articles, three book chapters, twenty two oral presentations, and four invited presentations. In addition,
Dr. Chauhan’s research mentees have presented over seventy research presentations at international, national and
regional conferences such as the Silicon Symposium, an international conference (where Queensborough students
were the only community college students presenting their research), American Chemical Society (ACS) National
Meetings, Beacon Conference (Dr. Chauhan’s publication was chosen as one of the top three papers out of 126 submissions
from eighteen community colleges in four states).
Her research articles are published in international journals of very high repute, including the Journal of the
American Chemical Society, Organometallics, Organic Letters, and Inorganic Chemistry. Seven Queensborough
students have contributed as co-authors in some of these peer reviewed articles. She has mentored students in
this interdisciplinary area of research which has been supported by PSC-CUNY Grant, CUNY Community College
Intensive Research Grant, CUNY Collaborative Research Grant, and Major Research Instrumentation Grant (MRI), NSF.
Some of the highlights of Dr. Chauhan’s collaborative research include the transformation of low cost silicon
polymers to inorganic/organic hybrid polymers, which possess increased thermal stability, mechanical strength, and
processability. Dr. Chauhan has implemented Co-generative Dialogue methodology in the General Chemistry II
class and published her reflections in the Journal of College Science Teaching. Her scholarly achievements are in the
area of pedagogy as well as original research on nanomaterials which demonstrates an ongoing commitment to
excellence at Queensborough and CUNY.
Dr. Nidhi Gadura
Dr. Nidhi Gadura received her B.S. from York College and Ph.D. from The Graduate Center, CUNY. She joined
the Department of Biological Sciences and Geology at Queensborough Community College in 2007. Dr. Gadura
has made significant contributions to curriculum development and was instrumental in establishing a Dual/Joint
AS/BS in Biotechnology at Queensborough in collaboration with York College. She developed honors courses in
Biotechnology and Genetics, and has developed and taught PNET and FNET courses in her discipline. Additionally,
she fully equipped a biotechnology laboratory at Queensborough where she enjoys training students.
Dr. Gadura believes strongly that hands-on research experience plays a pivotal role in the success of students who
plan to pursue careers in STEM fields. To foster research in the Department, she spearheaded the creation of a new
Departmental research laboratory and Core Facility with state of the art equipment. The Core Facility will enhance
the STEM activities of Queensborough faculty and students for decades to come. Dr. Gadura has secured funding
from various agencies totaling over $1.7 million. Most recently, she received a U.S. Department of Education MSEIP
grant to help engage students in research and increase STEM retention and graduation.
Dr. Gadura has authored numerous scientific publications based on her laboratory research and pedagogical
work. Several Queensborough students who contributed significantly to the laboratory research projects were listed
as co-authors on these scientific papers published in peer reviewed, high impact journals. Her students’ long-standing
record of winning regional and national awards at prestigious scientific conferences is an additional testament to the
caliber of research that is possible at Queensborough. Dr. Gadura practices several high impact pedagogical techniques in her classes including Writing Intensive courses, Academic Service-Learning and Undergraduate Research
(UR) integration into the curriculum.
We congratulate the 2016 recipients as they join
their previously honored distinguished colleagues.
2014
Dr. Edmund Clingan
Dr. Jeffery J. Jankowski
Dr. Paul L. Marchese
Department of History
Department of Social Sciences
Department of Physics
2012
Dr. Jules T. Allen
Dr. Pellegrino Manfra
Dr. Philip A. Pecorino
Department of Art and Design
Department of Social Sciences
Department of Social Sciences
2010
Dr. Tak David Cheung
Dr. Caf Dowlah
Dr. James Valentino
Department of Physics
Department of Social Sciences
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Technology and Design Drafting
2007
Dr. Cheryl Bluestone
Dr. Sasan Karimi
Dr. Patricia Schneider
Department of Social Sciences
Department of Chemistry
Department of Biological Sciences
and Geology
2005
Dr. Patricia Allaire
Dr. Linda Stanley
Dr. Paris Svoronos
Department of Mathematics
and Computer Science
Department of English
Department of Chemistry
2003
Dr. Lorena Ellis
Dr. Mona Fabricant
Dr. David Lieberman
Department of Foreign Languages
and Literatures
Department of Mathematics
and Computer Sciences
Department of Physics
2003
Dr. Charles Martin
Dr. Anthony Pipolo
Dr. Emil J. Polak
Department of Basic Educational Skills
Department of English
Department of History
2003
Prof. Robert Simons
Dr. Sylvia Svitak
Department of Speech
Communications and Theatre Arts
Department of Mathematics
and Computer Sciences
2003
Prof. Paul Tschinkel
Prof. Karen Wunsch
Department of Art and Design
Department of English
About the student and alumni photographers
Photos of 2012 recipients
JOSEPH PASAOA, photographer and visual artist in the Art and Design Department, is best known for his dance competition photographs, many
of which have been published online and in national publications. A former competitive ballroom dancer himself, Joseph is drawn to human moments
of form and intimacy. He shoots fashion, commercial, portrait, and photojournalistic photography. Joseph is grateful to all of his mentors and especially
thanks Professors Jules T. Allen and Javier Cambre for inspiring him to explore his artistic potential.
NAOMI PAUL is a photography student, teacher’s assistant, and lab technician in the Art and Design Department. She is determined to pursue her love
for photography and says “I will take the world by storm, one photo at a time, never forgetting where I came from!” She attributes her artistic growth and
success to the guidance of her wonderful professors, especially Professors Jules T. Allen and Javier Cambre.
Photos of 2007 recipients
ARPI PAP came to the United States in 2002 from his native Romania, where he had been an art student and freelance photographer. He earned a
certificate in photography in 2005 and his Associate degree in 2006 from Queensborough Community College. He graduated from Queens College with
a BFA in 2009, and continues his work as a commercial and art photographer for The City University of New York and its individual colleges, local and
cultural media, and events such as weddings and annual conferences.
Photos of 2005 recipients
MARSHA PATELSON is a graduate of Queensborough’s Certificate Program in Photography and recipient of the Myra Schwartz Photography
Award. Working with Faustino Quintanilla, Executive Director of the QCC Art Gallery, Ms. Patelson photographed the entire permanent African Art
Collection for the new gallery's opening exhibit in October 2004. Her work appeared in the Gallery's catalog and on its web site. Ms. Patelson has taught
orchestra in the New York City School System and freelances as a cellist.
Photos of 2003 recipients
JOHN MONTALVO, JR. was a student in Queensborough’s Certificate Program in Photography. He received recognition for his photographs of
Ground Zero on September 11, 2001. Mr. Montalvo’s work on this project followed an internship with Professor Jules Allen, Department of Art and
Photography. Mr. Montalvo simutaneously took photography courses at City College while at Queensborough. Mr. Montalvo continued his studies at
the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Through these awards, we celebrate the accomplishments
of our colleagues whose excellence of scholarship
brings honor to our institution.
222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, New York 11364 • www.qcc.cuny.edu
Published by the Office of Academic Affairs