TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 • 57 LGA Student In Nat’l. Env. Study Researching Air Quality later to the vast world of engineering; and be a problem solver and the best civil engineer, teacher and student that I can be.” While Baxter will be researching air quality, the other student researchers will be looking at pollution, water quality and oceanography. During the nine weeks, she will be collecting and analyzing satellite data and doing mathematical calculations on air quality. She will then return to the lab for three weeks in the fall and again for three weeks in the spring to update her data. Also, during those two three-week periods she will present her research at various conferences such as the American Geological Society and the Emerging Researchers National. “My experience at LaGuardia has provided me with a rock-solid foundation in the field,” said Baxter, who is maintaining a 3.35 G.P.A. “This research project is the icing on the cake.” With her superb mathematical skills and motivation, Dr. Zahidur Rahman, her faculty mentor and mathematics professor, is confident that she will thrive in this experience. “She brings to this project her strong intellect, creativity and dedication to whatever challenge she takes on,” he said. For the 20-year-old, who emigrated to the U.S. from British Guiana in 2006, math was always her strong suit. “When I entered eighth grade, I excelled in mathematics,” said Baxter. “I first found out this was pretty fun stuff.” In high school she added science as another subject where she stood out. So when it came time to look at colleges, her calculus teacher encouraged her to consider engineering. “I heard about engineering, but I didn’t know what it was,” Baxter said with a laugh. “But after researching the field and learning it had a heavy focus on math and science, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. It seemed perfect.” Choosing LaGuardia over colleges in Arizona and Florida, Baxter enrolled in the civil engineering program in the spring of 2012. “I knew LaGuardia was the right choice for me and where my journey to becoming a civil engineer would begin,” she said. She jumped right into the college experience, taking six classes her first semester. When her engineering lab professor invited her to join his research project that was looking at the effects vibrational therapy has on patients with osteoporosis, she eagerly accepted. To analyze the response of osteoporosis bone specs to vibrational therapy, she learned the computer program, Comsol. “Participating in this program allowed me to learn about the importance of computer-aided modeling and the great part it plays in aiding our research,” she said. “I also learned the ethics, discipline and time management associated with research work.” While concentrating on her studies, she finds time to tutor students in math and to teach a lab section to four classes about the application of mathematics. “I strongly believe that people who have acquired knowledge in a particular subject should share it with others,” she said. She also is the Engineering Club Student’s Association representative. Baxter will be graduating in June, and through LaGuardia’s articulation program with City College, she will pursue her bachelor’s degree in structural or environmental specialization. Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree, she will become a CREST scholar where the program will cover her tuition costs at the graduate level. Thereafter, she can have a professional career opportunity at NOAA and/or other federal, state and local agencies, academia and industries. “It has been a wonderful road, and LaGuardia and its professors got me on that road to a civil engineering degree and a career in the field,” said Baxter. “I encourage other students, especially minority students, to take advantage of all the amazing opportunities that are available to them.” Zoo Celebrates Aviary Fair Link grounds that was used during the 1964-65 World’s Fair, the zoo is surrounded by several landmarks from the fair, including the Unisphere, observation towers and the New York State Pavilion. The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Queens Zoo is open every day of the year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekends through October. Admission is charged. The Queens Zoo is located at 53-51 111th St. in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. For further information, call 1- 718-271-1500 or visit www.wcs.org. Spring Jazz Fest At Flushing Hall guest artists Ron Horton (trumpet) and Hashem Assadullahi (saxophone). Open to all. • Student Performers—Student bands from J.H.S. 185 (Alex Jung, director), J.H.S. 194 (Scott Martin, director), and Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School (William Stevens, director) will play selections and work with guest clinicians Javier Arau, Tom Zlabinger, and Josh Deutsch. Student combos from Frank Sinatra High School, the Queens College Center for Preparatory Studies in Music, and the York College Blue Notes High School band will also perform sets. Audiences are welcome at all performances and clinics. • A performance of pianist/composer Daniel Kelly’s Rakonto Project, which incorporates recordings of the voices and stories of community members from ethnically diverse New York City neighborhoods. Rakonto was originally commissioned by Flushing Town Hall and is funded by a grant from Chamber Music America. Evening performance 6-10 p.m. Professional jazz ensembles will perform 50-minute sets concurrently in the Theater and Gallery. • Lazy Susan, 6 p.m.—Sam Sadigursky, clarinet; Josh Deutsch, trumpet; Danny Fox, piano; Sam Trapchak, bass; Alex Wyatt, drums. • Edward Perez Trio, 6:30 p.m.— Alex Brown, piano; Edward Perez, bass; Eric Doob, drums. • Amanda Monaco/Noah Baerman Quintet, 7 p.m.—Wayne Escoffery, tenor and soprano saxophones; Amanda Monaco, guitar; Noah Baerman, piano; Sean Conly, bass; Victor Lewis, drums • UoU, 7:30 p.m.—Takuji Yamada, saxophone; Daisuke Abe, guitar; Toru Dodo, piano; Kuriko Tsugawa, bass; Anthony Lee, drums • Peter Brendler Quartet, 8 p.m.— Jon Irabagon, tenor sax; Josh Deutsch, trumpet; Peter Brendler, bass; Vinnie Sperrazza, drums. • Mark Wade Trio, 8:30 p.m.— Tim Harrison, piano; Mark Wade, bass; Scott Neumann, drums. • Brian Woodruff Sextet, 9 p.m.— Hashem Assadullahi, alto and soprano saxophone; Jacob Varmus, trumpet; John Fedchock, trombone; Pete McCann, guitar, Matt Clohesy, bass; Brian Woodruff, drums. Flushing Town Hall is located at 137-35 Northern Blvd. (corner of Linden Pl.). For more details, visit www.queensjazz.org or email [email protected]. For directions to Flushing Town Hall, visit www.flushingtownhall.org/ visiting/directions.php. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 27- -CONTINUED FROM PG. 23- -CONTINUED FROM PG. 19- Shop Locally! Support Your Neighborhood Merchants!
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