The Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of the City University of New York (CUNY), has selected Ms. Biling Chen as the recipient of the 2019 CUNY Thomas Tam Scholarship. Ms. Chen, a Chemistry major at Queensborough Community College/CUNY, plans to conduct a weekly volunteer workshop to assist newly-arrived Asian international students at Queensborough with guidance on how to navigate American and college life, and offer tutoring for science, math and English courses. The workshop will be conducted in English to help students practice their speaking skills, and to foster more social connections on and off-campus. Participants will also visit local retirement homes to provide company to Asian immigrant seniors who may feel isolated.
Arriving to the United States in 2016 as an international student, Ms. Chen knows first-hand the difficulties of arriving to a new country, alone, and having difficulties with English. It wasn’t until Ms. Chen enrolled in science courses at Queensborough and socialized with students of other ethnic backgrounds in English, that she found herself more integrated into this new community. Through the guidance and encouragement of her two mentors, Dr. Sasan Karimi and Dr. Paris Svoronos, Ms. Chen has presented research on Organic Chemistry and Biology Phages at professional conferences hosted at Queens College, St. John’s University, York College, and SUNY Old Westbury.
In 2018, Ms. Chen was a demonstrator during National Chemistry Week at the New York Hall of Science, and also served as president of the Chemistry Club. Currently she is president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, and also works three jobs including as a peer mentor and a Tutorial Services Leader. She plans on later pursuing a Ph.D. in the sciences in order to contribute to the greater knowledge of the scientific community, and work with other in the the community to succeed.
Ms. Chen will be honored at the upcoming AAARI 18th Annual Gala on Thursday, November 14, 2019.
More Info: https://aaari.info/2019tamscholarship/
Thomas Tam Way 