SciTech BIFP Panel
2014 NSF-ATE Bioscience Industrial Fellowship Project
FELLOWS:
Ezekiel Barnes: Hello, my name is Ezekiel Barnes, and I am Lumbee Native
American. I was born and raised in a small town of Lumberton N.C. I am a very
understanding individual and I am a very enthusiastic learner. I like learning new
things, and I am a very hands-on person. When I was living back in my home town
with my family, I had to grow up quick and take care of my two younger sisters, so
I was somewhat at a young age very mature. I helped my father with his wholesale
business; gave him ideas outside the box to help his business succeed. I graduated
from Lumberton Senior High and after graduation I signed into the United States
Air Force. My job in the Air Force was a vehicle Operator and I was based in Hollowman A.F.B and
traveled along the west coast delivering materials, and also transporting officers, as well as being part of
the welcoming committee for the troops coming back home from Iraq. I enjoyed my job and it was very
laid back and stress free. It helped teach me stability and integrity. I learned a lot while I was in the armed
forces as well as when I became a veteran. When I got out, I moved to Winston-Salem and started school.
I came to realize I wanted to help others and I am very passionate about that so I decided to go back to
school and go into the Nursing Program. The Nursing Program seems ideal to me because a few years
back my grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer and I helped my grandmother take care of him. On
his death bed he told me that I have a gift of helping others and that I was made for greatness because of
my ability to understand people and their predicaments.
Heather King (NC) Every summer, I try to attend some type of professional
development workshop or institute that will allow me to grow as a teacher and gain
new knowledge. I then apply this new knowledge in the classroom in the Fall and
typically see my students grow mathematically and hopefully become more
successful. I love to learn and especially enjoy challenging myself to learn new
ways to apply math to the world around me. I believe that to be a better teacher, I
need to get out of my comfort zone and learn about areas that I am not familiar with.
I have very little knowledge about the field of Biosciences, but I know that learning
more about this field will allow me to intelligently discuss in my DMA classes how Biosciences and
mathematics are connected. One of the purposes of the redesign in developmental math courses was to
provide the students with conceptual lessons that make the math more relevant to them. Since my degree
was not in applied mathematics, I am relying on textbooks, prior knowledge and the Internet for real
world applications. I am excited to think that this fellowship could give me some hands-on experiences
that would allow me to bring true conceptual problems to my classroom that I have experienced, not just
read about. I also think that collaboration is key in the success of DMA courses, and I would gladly share
my new found knowledge with my colleagues. We have “Best Practice” meetings once a month in
developmental math and this would be a great topic to discuss at one of those meetings in which full-time
and adjunct instructors are present. After just returning from a math conference at Richmond Community
College, I would also love to present about my experiences and how I used what I learned in June 2014
with my colleagues from all over the state of North Carolina at a future math conference. I am excited
about how this fellowship could potentially change me as a teacher, make my students stronger and give
my colleagues, at Forsyth Tech and in North Carolina, the opportunity to see how Biosciences can make a
difference in the mathematics classroom.
Daymond Lindell (NC) serves as the Academic Advisor at the Transportation
Technology Center at Forsyth Technical Community College. My duties include but
are not limited to the following: Academic & Career Development, Student Success,
SOAR, Mentoring, Supervising, Operational Planning Outcomes & Assessment,
Programs, Implementing the mission of the college through the enforcement of its
Policies & Procedures, Scheduling, Student Activities, College Transfer, Student
Code of Conduct, Financial Aid, Conflict Management, Counseling, FEMA, OSHA,
CERT, etc. Mr. Lindell also has experience as an instructor in Adult Basic Skills
Education Programs, Adult Literacy Department, Economic and Workforce Development Division.
Daymond is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in the department of Leadership Higher Education at UNC
Greensboro. He received his M.A. from Wake Forest university in Communication and as an
undergraduate he double-majored in Sports/Business Management and double-minored in PE/Coaching,
all at NC State University. He currently works at NC A&T State University as the Associate Director for
Operations at the Memorial Student Union. Prior to his current position, Daymond worked at Winston
Salem State University as the Associate Athletic Director/Coach, Voorhees College at Director of Student
Affairs, Elizabeth City State University as the Assistant Director for Student Affairs, and at Forsyth Tech
Community College as Athletic Director/Coach/Student Affairs. He also currently serves as the Ed
Council Representative for Region 5.
Jude Okoyeh (NC) I was the Authentication Scientist at the American Type
Cultural Collection (ATTC, Manassas, VA ) – a Biotechnology Institute that is
involved in research, collection, authentication and distribution of parasites,
microorganisms, genetic and other vital biological materials to research institutes
and bioscience industries world-wide. For 2 years, I authenticated parasites, DNA
and other genetic/biogenetic materials at ATCC using molecular biology and
biotechnology techniques. In addition, my post-doctoral fellowship training in
mammalian biology was focused on genetic analysis of non-infectious human
diseases (parasitology). Thereafter, I have continued the genetic research with the Mushroom Unit at NC
A&T State University, Greensboro, till date. Due to the increased demand for qualified middle/high level
professionals in bioscience industries nation-wide, educational institutions such as Community Colleges,
are being looked upon to train and equip students with the necessary skills that will enable them to
adequately function as professionals in these industrial settings. Therefore, it is pertinent to actively and
purposefully implement programs and curricula activities that will enhance the awareness and interest of
students to this growing need in the bioscience industries. At Forsyth Technical Community College
(Forsyth Tech), I intend to use my experiences, in collaboration with other Science Departments and
Members of Faculties, to: 1. hold regular seminars and workshops in the campus for students of all
disciplines with a view to increasing career interest and awareness in life sciences and biosciences, 2.
invite other professionals from diverse background and experiences, in bioscience industries and
academia, as motivating Speakers/Presenters during these seminars, 3. organize and conduct in-campus
hands-on workshops for students that are interested in the field of biosciences, 4. liaise with other
institutions and bioscience industries and organizations for Forsyth Tech students to undergo some weeks
of hands-on training and other exchange programs. Already, some discussions are on-going with
Scientists/Professionals regarding these programs. However, to effectively implement these programs at
Forsyth Tech, it is necessary for me to obtain further understanding of current bioscience industrial
principles and needs in North Carolina. As an instructor at Forsyth Tech with the above-mentioned plans
and programs, my participation in the NSF-ATE Bioscience Industrial Fellowship Project will
undoubtedly be of immense benefits to Forsyth Tech students and the community - in getting the students
equipped with the required skills that will enable them to succeed as professionals in the competitive
bioscience industries. My previous experiences in biotechnology industry and an instructor (for Biology,
Anatomy and Physiology) at an university in North Carolina for 6 years, and presently an instructor at
Forsyth Tech, will be valuable in the success of these programs at Forsyth Tech.