Environmental Research, NY.
For the past 12 years, Dr. Murty Kambhampati, a biology professor at Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), has taken students to the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Long Island, NY to conduct research. This collaboration between SUNO and Brookhaven provides minority undergraduate students with hands-on opportunities to learn about natural resource management while developing the foundations for graduate studies.
The fascinating part of the story is how the collaboration developed. Dr. Kambhampati, also affectionately called “Dr. Kam,” had a chance meeting with Noel Blackburn, manager of university relations and Department of Energy (DOE) programs at Brookhaven, during the Emerging Researchers National Conference in summer 2006. As part of his job, Blackburn is responsible for reaching out to historically black colleges and universities (HBCU’s).
The day before the conference ended, Blackburn tried to convince Dr. Kam’s colleague and physics professor, Dr. Joe Omojola, to come to Brookhaven Lab. However, Dr. Omojola thought Dr. Kam would be a better fit. That conversation gave birth to the collaboration that continues today – 12 years later.
The first summer, Dr. Kam took two of his biology students to conduct research at Brookhaven Lab. This research provided the students with the scientific expertise they need for natural resource management as well as built their self-esteem and confidence and changed the manner in which they approached their schoolwork.
“Something as simple and nonscientific as successfully getting a bee into a collection vial can go a long way in boosting their confidence,” Dr. Kambhampati said in a recent article* written by Ariana Tantillo and published on the Brookhaven National Lab Web site. “Back on campus, they feel more at ease answering questions and interacting with their professors in the classroom and begin to explore other opportunities that will allow them to advance their skills.”
To date, 35 students have gone to Brookhaven. Nearly half of the 35 students have gone on to pursue master’s or doctoral degrees, which led to careers as research scientists, medical doctors, toxicologists, pharmacists, nurses and science teachers. Several students also have won national recognition and awards.
*See the full article at https://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=212989
New Orleans residents have questioned whether these “complaints” are real, or if the NOPD is just unfairly suppressing the gathering of minority communities in the Claiborne corridor while enabling tourists to flock to and frolic on Bourbon Street.
A concerned New Orleans resident Dulaine Vining reached out to Big Easy Magazine to comment, “This is a form of suppression, the sentiment the city has is scary and dated for our black, brown, and Asian community in this Corridor. The amount of cops and resources diverted from high crime areas is crazy, only to stop us from gathering. After their continued excuse of neighbors complaining it’s ludicrous in a commercial corridor. Also, if there are traffic congestion issues, the same cops could be used as traffic enforcement. With over 60% black people, this is the only area black people can socialize; just as Bourbon. These cops deter business from our small businesses with all the lights flashing and heavy presence. This is “in your face” suppression and racism by a black Mayor and a silenced city council who’s supposed to advocate for the community.”
