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Join us and improve your skills in science, work up to your full capabilities, and achieve goals that only you can achieve. Experiment on various objects, and build numerous projects, maybe even win an award!
Our Scientisits
Dr. Rebecca Grella began her teaching career in 2002 as a Chemistry teacher in Brentwood, NY. Rebecca has taught Chemistry and General Science and currently teaches Research Science. Rebecca has developed a state of the art curriculum for teaching research science that includes a molecular and aquatic ecosystem lab at the high school. Rebecca received her Ph.D. from the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University. Rebecca’s research focus is on the introduction of the non-native weed species, Centaurea nigrescens, Tyrol knapweed from Europe and its invasion in the United States. Rebecca credits her success as a research scientist to her students.
Rebecca’s high school students have developed successful partnerships and mentoring relationships with faculty from Stony Brook University. Her students have had great success in national competitions, namely SSP’s INTEL competition. Rebecca and Dr. Dianna Padilla, from Stony Brook University Department of Ecology and Evolution, successfully mentored INTEL semi-finalist Samantha Garvey. Samantha’s salt marsh research led her not only to succeed in the sciences, but her recognition while homeless, resulted in the county granting her family a new home. Samantha and her research were also presented at the White House science fair. Rebecca has received numerous awards for her teaching efforts to include the 2011 New York State Presidential Semifinalist Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching as well as the Shell NSTA semifinalist award for science teaching. In 2012 Rebecca was named one of 10 Fellows by the Society for Science and the Public to create a “Science Buddy” program at the high school where her research students coach elementary and middle school students in the district. This program will engage upper classman with middle and elementary school students and train them for a future in the high school research lab. To Rebecca and her students, research is a team sport that opens the doors to endless opportunities.
Rebecca’s high school students have developed successful partnerships and mentoring relationships with faculty from Stony Brook University. Her students have had great success in national competitions, namely SSP’s INTEL competition. Rebecca and Dr. Dianna Padilla, from Stony Brook University Department of Ecology and Evolution, successfully mentored INTEL semi-finalist Samantha Garvey. Samantha’s salt marsh research led her not only to succeed in the sciences, but her recognition while homeless, resulted in the county granting her family a new home. Samantha and her research were also presented at the White House science fair. Rebecca has received numerous awards for her teaching efforts to include the 2011 New York State Presidential Semifinalist Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching as well as the Shell NSTA semifinalist award for science teaching. In 2012 Rebecca was named one of 10 Fellows by the Society for Science and the Public to create a “Science Buddy” program at the high school where her research students coach elementary and middle school students in the district. This program will engage upper classman with middle and elementary school students and train them for a future in the high school research lab. To Rebecca and her students, research is a team sport that opens the doors to endless opportunities.
Dr. Dianna Padilla's major interests are (1) Marine and freshwater ecology, conservation biology and restoration, (2) Invasion biology and the patterns of spread and impacts of invading species in freshwater and marine ecosystems, (3) Functional ecology including studies of phenotypic plasticity, inducible defenses and offenses, (4) Impacts of environmental change on marine ecosystems, including blooms of harmful algae and their impacts on early life stages of animals. Current projects include phenotypic plasticity of snails in the family Littorinidae, invasion biology of bivalves, especially the zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and the oyster, Crassostrea gigas, factors that may impact the success of clam restoration in Long Island waters, and the development of Ecosystem-Based Management plans for marine and freshwater systems.
Dianna.Padilla@sunysb.edu or
padilla@life.bio.sunysb.edu
Dianna.Padilla@sunysb.edu or
padilla@life.bio.sunysb.edu
