The goal of the SUNY Empire PRODiG Scholars Program is to support undergraduate and graduate student-scholars from historically underrepresented groups, including women in STEM disciplines, to progress into doctoral programs and faculty positions at institutions of higher learning. The 2021-22 Scholars cohort is comprised of 10 undergraduate and 10 graduate participants across various fields of study and at different stages of their journey toward a career in academia. This series will feature the students who are currently involved in the program, along with their goals and areas of academic interest. To learn more about this program, visit the SUNY Empire PRODiG Scholars Program website. 

 

 

 

 

Kristine Roberto is a SUNY Empire 2021-22 PRODiG Scholar pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in business, management and economics, with a concentration in training and development. She graduated in May 2022. 

One of Kristine’s greatest accomplishments is returning to college after a 30-year hiatus. “It wasn’t easy being a mom, wife, and working full time, but I am crossing the finish line this semester,” says Kristine. During her first term at the college, Kristine made the dean’s list. She is proud to have been selected for the PRODiG Scholars Program. “The PRODiG Scholars Program has afforded me the opportunity to connect with fellow students, share experiences, and gave me the ability to believe in myself,” she says. 

After pursuing her education at SUNY Empire, Kristine was hired as a credit manager in the finance department for a pharmaceutical company. She is responsible for a billion-dollar portfolio and is a lead for a new system integration to ensure functionality of the proposed Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Her coursework at the college was related to her professional role and helped ensure her success.  
In Fall 2021, Kristine worked as a research assistant for Luis Camacho, Ed.D., visiting assistant professor of business, international business, and marketing. Her research focused on consumer behavior, specifically the theory of planned behavior as a mediator between corporate citizenship and consumer buying behavior. It explored the underlying psychological behaviors in the business sphere, which enabled Kristine to delve into her interest in the humanities.  

Kristine intends on returning for her master’s degree at the college and plans on teaching in the field of human ecology.  

Kristine resides in Rockland County, in New York. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and doing various crafts. 

 

 

 Anna Mardjanian is a SUNY Empire 2021-22 PRODiG Scholar pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in science, math, and technology, with a concentration in natural sciences.  

With the support of Professor Kevin Woo, she is currently creating an original study on house sparrows in New York City and European starlings in Queens, N.Y. Anna’s motto in this endeavor is “to find the extraordinary in the common.”  Her emphasis is on commensalism of these bird species and how they fit into our human urban ecology. In the future, Anna plans to research ethnobiology, zooarchaeology, taphonomy, urban ecology, experimental archaeology, and experimental sustainability.  

Anna was previously an artisan educator for nine years. In 2012, she was a presenter at the Maker Faire at the Hall of Science Museum in Queens, NY, using alternative and sustainable fiber choices in urban environments. Anna also was a presenter at the Queens Zoo where she conducted an original hands-on STEM-based activity on the mechanics of hand spinning. For this project, Anna used modified Mongolian felting techniques to create a felted blanket for the zoo, with visitors participating in rolling the felting log.  

In addition, Anna spent two years (2005-2007) as a gardening instructor at the Queens Botanical Garden. As part of the Summer Queens Botanical Garden’s Kids Program, Anna taught various tasks of caring for garden plants, proper composting techniques, weeding, identifying wildlife, and using biological methods of pest control. Her children’s garden tomatoes won first prize at the 2005 Queens County Fair. 

Anna resides in Queens, N.Y. Her hobbies and scholarly pursuits are inseparable and a lifestyle. For instance, Anna learned to spin and create textiles, allowing her to interpret fiber using cultures, regardless of place and time, as an expert crafter, not as a spectator. She speaks seven languages and can read four alphabets. 

 

 

 

 

Allison Skolnick is a SUNY Empire 2021-22 PRODiG Scholar and a part-time student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in business, management, and economics, with a concentration in healthcare management. She is also completing the requirements to earn the Healthcare Management Certification at the college. In addition to her enrollment at SUNY Empire State, she is enrolled full-time at Touro University in the occupational therapy program. At the completion of this program, Allison will have a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Sciences and a Master of Science in occupational therapy. 

She has over 10 years of experience working with disabled adults. She works part-time as a personal care assistant for two Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) agencies, the South Shore Home Health Services and ADDUS Home Health.  

Allison is an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA). She is the registered student delegate with NYSOTA at Touro University for the 2021-2022 school year, as well as a member of Phi Theta Epsilon -the national honor society for occupational students and alumni. 

After Allison completes her studies at SUNY Empire and Touro University, she plans to continue her education and apply to doctoral programs to earn her doctorate in occupational therapy. She has a strong interest in women’s health and rehabilitation, specifically focused on the fourth trimester (postnatal), which she intends to explore through her doctoral work. Once she completes her OTD, Allison plans to pursue a career in academia. 

In Fall 2021, Allison served as a teaching assistant to Lauren Allen, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the School for Graduate Studies at SUNY Empire, using assigned course readings, videos, and audio sources to develop student-facing instructional and study materials and discussion questions to guide their learning in autism spectrum disorders and evidence-based practices courses. She continues to serve as a teaching assistant with Professor Allen designing content and materials for other courses being developed for the new Applied Behavioral Therapy Program at SUNY Empire.  

Allison resides on Long Island, and enjoys hiking, camping, and Spartan races.