杏吧原版

When Andie Napolitano was researching climate change and learning about the impact humans have had on the planet, she began trying to implement more sustainable habits into her daily routine. It wasn杏吧原版檛 always easy, she says, and she believed that positive feedback and encouragement from others would help her stay motivated as she developed more sustainable habits.

A sophomore at , Napolitano was inspired to create an app that would help others develop greener habits by using a point-reward system. The social media-like app would also create an online community focused on helping users minimize their impact on climate change.

Last fall, Napolitano reached out to Mehdi Mekni, Ph.D., an associate professor of computer science and cybersecurity at the University of New Haven. After researching Dr. Mekni杏吧原版檚 academic and professional background, including his software development experience, she asked him to serve as her mentor as she began work on her app.

杏吧原版淚 was interested in working with Dr. Mekni because of his knowledge of computer science,杏吧原版� she said. 杏吧原版淚 have little experience with coding and computer applications, and Dr. Mekni taught me about application development and coding.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版楽he showed perseverance杏吧原版�

Napolitano and Dr. Mekni met several times after that, and she showed him her progress and asked him questions. When she presented her app at the , her project captured second place in the research proposals behavioral category, qualifying her to present her app at a regional event.

杏吧原版淚 was surprised and excited when I learned I won second place,杏吧原版� said Napolitano. 杏吧原版淚t felt like all of my hard work from this year paid off, and it inspired me to keep working and progressing. The judges at the fair gave me great feedback, which showed me that my work could really make a difference someday.杏吧原版�

"We want teachers in Connecticut high schools to know that our faculty at the University of New Haven are valuable assets they can use...We can collectively help our students."Mehdi Mekni, Ph.D.

In addition to offering his guidance regarding the technical aspects of the project, Dr. Mekni coached her on presenting her application, helped her develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and encouraged her to prioritize value over the complexity of technical features.

杏吧原版淎ndie was so easy to work with,杏吧原版� said Dr. Mekni. 杏吧原版淪he杏吧原版檚 not afraid to learn something new, and she showed perseverance. She杏吧原版檚 driven by value. She had in mind what she wanted to offer the user, and she did it.杏吧原版�

'How much our students have accomplished杏吧原版�

Napolitano was one of several Amity High School students who completed their CT-STEM Fair projects under the mentorship of University of New Haven faculty. Napolitano杏吧原版檚 classmate Mia Bierowski, a sophomore, also developed a concept for a mobile app. Inspired by shows such as Criminal Minds, she became interested in the science of crime scenes and gathering evidence. This led her to discover another field: entomology.

Bierowski was interested in creating an app that would make the identification of blowflies 杏吧原版� which can be critical to investigating a crime scene 杏吧原版� more efficient and accurate. She worked with R. Christopher O'Brien, Ph.D., an associate professor of forensic science whose research interests include forensic animal necrophagy and wildlife forensics. As part of her research, Bierowski trapped and identified flies, developing the basis for the content of the app.

杏吧原版淚n the past year, Dr. O杏吧原版橞rien has taught me all about entomology and wildlife research,杏吧原版� said Bierowski, who also presented her project at the CT-STEM Fair, as well as at the Norwalk Community College Science Fair. 杏吧原版淚 learned how to trap flies in my own backyard and to identify those flies by observing their morphology.

杏吧原版淚 was interested in working with Dr. O杏吧原版橞rien because of his experience in the field as well as his passion for it,杏吧原版� she continued. 杏吧原版淎fter visiting his lab and seeing the amazing research being done by his students, I was extremely interested in exploring the field further.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版楾he real game changers in the future杏吧原版�

Planning to work on the app this coming year, Bierowski hopes it will aid in the differentiation and identification of forensically relevant blowfly species.

杏吧原版淢ia is an amazing young woman who demonstrates a passion for both her project and the underlying science,杏吧原版� said Dr. O杏吧原版橞rien, who serves as director of the University杏吧原版檚 Center for Wildlife Forensic Research. 杏吧原版淥nce her project is completed, it could be used by forensic entomologists to assist them in their casework. It is my hope that Mia will continue to pursue her passion for science. Young people like Mia are going to be the real game changers in the future.杏吧原版�

"We are so pleased that our students have been able to work with mentors from the University of New Haven,杏吧原版� said Catherine Piscitelli, Science Research Program director and instructor at Amity High School. 杏吧原版淭he faculty members from the University have been so generous with their time and guidance of our Amity students. It's impressive to see how much our students have accomplished in such a short time.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版楲et杏吧原版檚 work together杏吧原版�

Dr. Mekni is also excited about the meaningful learning opportunities faculty have created for the high school students 杏吧原版� and he hopes this type of mentorship will continue and evolve. He hopes faculty 杏吧原版� including several incoming computer science and cybersecurity professors 杏吧原版� will continue to share their expertise though such important outreach opportunities, enabling the University to serve in an important stewardship role.

"We want teachers in Connecticut high schools to know that our faculty at the University of New Haven are valuable assets they can use,杏吧原版� he explains. 杏吧原版淲e can collectively help our students. Their students might become our students in a few years. If students can build their skills before they leave their high school, they杏吧原版檙e going to be excellent when they come to our institution. It creates an early excellence pathway.杏吧原版�

Dr. Mekni points out that this collaboration creates important networking opportunities while fostering growth and innovation by developing young talent.

杏吧原版淭his creates important multidisciplinary opportunities,杏吧原版� he said. 杏吧原版淲e have problems to solve, and we have technology. Let杏吧原版檚 work together. We can all bring our expertise, and we can work together as a group to make our society better. We enable multidisciplinary solutions by investing time, by volunteering in order to help students collaborate, and by strengthening our collaborations and relationships.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版楪row tremendously as a student and researcher杏吧原版�

These opportunities have already inspired innovation and collaboration in students such as Napolitano. Planning to continue working on her app throughout her time in high school and, possibly, beyond, she hopes it will enable users to help the environment. She says her time working on the app with Dr. Mekni杏吧原版檚 guidance has been invaluable.

杏吧原版淢y experience this year has helped me grow tremendously as a student and as a researcher,杏吧原版� she said. 杏吧原版淲hile I experienced many failures throughout the year, through hard work and dedication, I achieved success in the end. Through this, I learned it takes perseverance and immense effort to be successful as a student and as a researcher.杏吧原版�