Mahia Rahman of Jamaica Receives Summer Chemistry Research Fellowship

2015 Jun 24

Mahia Rahman of Jamaica is one of three Hofstra University students awarded the Dr. Bruce and Doris Lister Endowed Fellowship in Chemistry Research to spend the summer conducting research under the mentorship of a Hofstra professor.

Mahia is a member of Hofstra's Class of 2017, majoring in Biochemistry. Mahia was selected for the fellowship based on academic achievement, research potential and demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in science research.

The fellowship was established with a $250,000 gift from Dr. Bruce Lister and his spouse Doris Lister in 2013. This is the second summer that the fellowship has been in place.

"Science majors often cite cost and the need to obtain summer employment as a reason they cannot spend more time on research work in their field of study," said Dr. Lister, who wants to help alleviate that burden for promising young scientists. Selected students receive a stipend, as well as a grant to cover 50 percent of campus housing costs.

"Having an endowed fellowship for students with a competitive application process adds prestige to the summer research experience and is a confirmation of a student's professional potential," said Dr. Sabrina Sobel, chair of Hofstra's Department of Chemistry. "In addition, professors are able to work with excellent students to further their own research goals. The Lister Summer Fellows program will increase both the quantity and the quality of research scholarship in the Department of Chemistry."

Applicants must be in their sophomore or junior year and obtain the recommendation of their preferred faculty mentor. Drs. Ling Huang, Richard Denton, Scott Lefurgy and Emily Mundorff are the participating chemistry professors this inaugural year.

The Listers are long-time supporters of Hofstra University science and engineering programs. Dr. Lister served as vice chair of the advisory board for the Department of Engineering before it became part of the new School of Engineering and Applied Science. During the construction of Herman A. Berliner Hall - home to the Chemistry and Physics & Astronomy Departments - Dr. Lister worked closely with architects on the building design.

Previously, Bruce and Doris Lister established endowed scholarships in chemistry, forensic science and engineering at Hofstra. In 1998 the University awarded Dr. Lister an honorary degree, and a lecture room has been named in his honor (room 117, Lister Lecture Hall) at Berliner Hall.