Area college students honored

WORCESTER, Massachusetts — The following local residents were among students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute who recently completed intense, handson research projects.

Nicole Burns of East Hampton, a member of the class of 2020 majoring in physics, was a member of a student team that completed a project through the WPI project center in Zurich. The project was titled “Alternatives to Animal Experimentation: Exploring the Approval Process of Nanomaterial Safety Assessments.”

In their project summary, the students wrote, “Due to economic, practical and ethical reasons, many researchers are promoting more widespread adoption of alternative testing methods to replace existing animal tests. This report aims to provide a simplified guide for the approval process of alternative methods with a focus on nanomaterial assessments.”

Jillian Clemente of Killingworth, a member of the class of 2020 majoring in industrial engineering, was a member of a student team that completed a project through the WPI project center in Namibia. The project was “Improving the Basic Science Course at the Namibia University of Science and Technology.” In their project summary, the students wrote, “We sought to research why the Basic Science course has a low pass rate across all modes of learning.”

At WPI, all undergraduates are required to complete a research-driven, professional-level project that applies science and technology to addresses an important societal need or issue. About two-thirds of students complete a project at one of 45-plus off-campus project centers, located around the world.

A signature element of the innovative undergraduate experience at WPI, the project-based curriculum offers students the opportunity to apply their scientific and technical knowledge to develop thoughtful solutions to real problems that affect the quality of people’s lives, and make a difference before they graduate.

Eastern Connecticut State University

WILLIMANTIC — Eastern Connecticut State University has accepted a number of students into the highly selective honors program. Undergraduates take additional classes and complete undergraduate research that culminates in a capstone thesis related to their major.

Among the class of 2019 students selected are: Albert Viglione, Clinton, who majors in economics; Brittany Velikaneye, East Haddam, who majors in biology and psychology; Demitra Kourtzidis, East Hampton, who majors in political science; and Arianna Biales, Middletown, who majors in mathematics. Also smong the students chosen is Middletown resident Dallas Dorman, class of 2022, who majors in music.

Each is one of a select number of academically talented students offered an avenue to demonstrate excellence in areas characteristic of the liberal arts, according to the college.

Students in the honors program also participate in the Honors Club, which provides opportunities for social, cultural, and educational interaction among members of the honors program, as well as interaction between the program and the campus community.

New England Institute of Technology

EAST GREENWICH, Rhode Island — New England Institute of Technology announces the following students achieved dean’s list status for the quarter ending Sept. 22. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.6 or higher on a maximum scale of 4.0 to qualify.

Locals are: East Hampton resident Matthew Zawisza and Middletown student Matthew Nowakowski.