Students from Keuka College now have an easier path to become a pharmacist with the signing of an articulation (transfer) agreement with Binghamton University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
It’s the second such agreement for Keuka College, which earlier this month announced a similar program with the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The new agreement, commonly known as a 3+4 program, allows qualified students from Keuka College to transfer into Binghamton’s School of Pharmacy after three years of undergraduate work. Once their first year is completed at Binghamton, credits transfer back to Keuka College to complete the bachelor’s degree. Students then have only three years left of their PharmD program at Binghamton, earning their bachelor’s and PharmD degrees in only seven years, rather than eight.
“This agreement creates a tremendous opportunity for our Keuka College Biology students,” said Keuka College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Bradley Fuster. “Being able to get a head start on their PharmD while shaving a year from their studies provides educational, financial, and, ultimately career-launching advantages. And Binghamton University’s PharmD program is an excellent complement to Keuka College’s Biology program.”
The highly qualified students from Keuka College who enroll in our program will add to the energy and excitement of our growing school where we will prepare them to contribute knowledge and skills to patients across the pharmacy discipline.
In teaming up with Binghamton University, Keuka College joins forces with the state's newest pharmacology program. Binghamton's School of Pharmacy opened its doors to students in 2017 and will graduate its first class of PharmD students this May.
“As we continue to establish articulation agreements with schools across New York state, it underscores the value of the education we are providing to Doctor of Pharmacy students who transition here,” said Gloria Meredith, founding dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. “The highly qualified students from Keuka College who enroll in our program will add to the energy and excitement of our growing school where we will prepare them to contribute knowledge and skills to patients across the pharmacy discipline.”
Get information on Keuka College’s Biology program or its 3+4 agreements here.
Learn More About the Biology Program
Undergraduate research opportunities, both on-campus and off, have included development of surfboard polymers, the ecology of birds, studies within a cancer lab, and more.
For example, students and faculty can use PCR (the polymerase chain reaction) to make copies of DNA from a variety of plant, animal, and bacterial sources, then sequence the DNA isolated in the laboratory. This technique can help us understand plant pathogens, figure out what we are really eating, and more.
Our students have presented their work at regional and national scientific meetings and have even traveled to Australia to help in one of the world’s leading schizophrenia research laboratories (which happens to be run by a Keuka College alumna... watch her TED talk below!).
Keuka College is on the shore of Keuka Lake—arguably the prettiest of the Finger Lakes. The College’s Sunset Woods and the nearby Penn Yan Outlet Trail are home to thousands of species of plants and animals, providing an ideal environment for biology students. Ornithology students are able to work in the field, identifying birds native to the area.
You’ll get to study in the Jephson Science Center, where students hang out in the Chiral Center or at the Math Table in between classes and labs. A highlight of the building is that the laboratories weren’t simply designed in collaboration with architects, but by the professors who use and teach in them.
Our students have access to a wide range of instruments, including:
- Ultraviolet-visible Spectrophotometers
- Sorvall High Capacity Centrifuge
- Opti-sciences Chlorophyll Fluorometer
- Kodak Gel Imaging and Documentation Systems
- Bio-rad Gel Electrophoresis and Western-blotting Apparatus
- High Pressure Liquid Chromatograph
- Gas Chromatograph - Mass Spectrometer
- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer
- Environmental Chamber and incubators
- Biosafety Cabinet
- Nikon Compound and Stereo Microscopes with Digital Camera
- Nikon Inverted Microscope
- End-point Thermal Cycler
- Real-time Thermal Cycler
Chi Beta Phi, the natural science, math, and psychology honor society, offers students the opportunity to network with like-minded peers and have their scholarly accomplishments recognized.
Biology students have also enhanced their education by participating in a number of projects throughout the campus and the community, including:
- Kelsey Morgan '15 co-wrote a research study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science.
- Indigo De Jong '15 was the primary author of a study regarding the effects of DDT on eggshell thickness in Red-shouldered Hawks, published in the Kingbird.
- Nikki Wilkins '15 was the primary author of a study assessing the accuracy of Eastern Bluebird nestling age estimates, published in the North American Bird Bander.
- Janelle Davidson '12 was the co-author of a study that examined factors related to the length of stay of dogs in animal shelters, published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science.
In the division’s work-study program, students learn the “behind the scenes” for preparing a course lab activity and are given a chance to apply what they learn in the classroom. This can include learning microbiological media preparation and sterile techniques, preparing solutions, maintaining live organisms, learning the operation and maintenance of lab equipment, safe chemical handling, ordering supplies, and providing general assistance in the daily operations of a functioning science division.
You’ll also find plenty of opportunities to experiment and discover as a member of clubs and organizations, including Chemistry Club.
Dr. Catherine Abbott
Professor of Mathematics
Academic Credentials
- University of North Texas
- Ph.D.
- University of North Texas
- M.A.
- University of Texas at Tyler
- B.S.
Dr. Ramana Callan
Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
Barbara Demjanec
Laboratory Coordinator
Academic Credentials
- University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign
- M.S.
- Montana State University
- B.S.
Dr. Dominique Derminio
Assistant Professor of Biology
Academic Credentials
- Keuka College
- B.A. in Biochemistry
- University of New South Wales
- M.S. in Res. in Psychiatry/Molecular Biology
- SUNY ESF
- Ph.D. in Biochemistry
Biography
Dr. Derminio teaches general chemistry, organic chemistry, and nursing chemistry, and has previously taught introductory biology courses. Her primary area of expertise is photosynthetic biochemistry in cyanobacteria. She loves teaching and talking to students about a wide range of sciences.
Dr. Andrew Geragotelis
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Academic Credentials
- Siena College
- B.S. in Chemistry
- University of California Irvine
- M.S. in Chemistry
- University of California Irvine
- Ph.D. in Chemistry
Biography
Dr. Andrew Geragotelis joined the faculty at Keuka College in 2023, teaching chemistry and additional courses. He actively pursues research in the field of computational chemistry, using computer simulations and molecular modeling methods to study how biomolecules interact with one another and how properties of their dynamics can be better understood. He is also interested in chemistry and physics education research.
Jessica Katolik
Instructor of Biology
Academic Credentials
- University of Rochester
- M.S. in Pharmacology and Physiology
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- B.S. in Biotechnology
Dr. Michael Keck
Chair of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Professor of Chemistry
Academic Credentials
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Ph.D.
- University of California at Berkeley
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Keck joined the faculty at Keuka College in 2008 after 13 years teaching at Emporia State University (Kansas). He teaches chemistry and biochemistry, and has also taught analytical chemistry and inorganic chemistry. His primary area of expertise is nucleic acids biochemistry. He loves teaching, and he is also eager to work with students on research projects. He and his students are presently collaborating with colleagues at RIT to design and evaluate compounds that have potential as photodynamic therapy agents.
Gylla MacGregor
Instructor of Biology
Academic Credentials
- Lehigh University
- M.S. in Microbiology with Integrative Biology Emphasis
- Clarion University of Pennsylvania
- M.S. in Biology with Ecology Emphasis
- The College of New Jersey
- B.S. in Biology
- Mercer County Community College
- A.S. in Chemistry
Biography
Gylla has been with Keuka College since 2017, teaching a wide range of classes in the biological sciences.
Prior to Keuka College, she spent 12 years as GIS Project Director/Conservation Ecologist with New Jersey Audubon, where she engaged in habitat restoration, invasive species management, reptile and amphibian studies, and wildlife monitoring in everything from grassland birds to insects. Her broad academic training has allowed her to incorporate disciplines such as anatomy and physiology into her research activities.
Professional Interests
Behavioral Ecology and Restoration Ecology.
Dr. Luciana Parent
Associate Professor of Biology
Academic Credentials
- University of Sao Paulo/Cornell University (Sandwich Program)
- Ph.D.
- Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)
- M.S.
- Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)
- B.S.
Dr. Andrew Robak
Professor of Chemistry
Academic Credentials
- University of Oregon
- Ph.D.
- University of Oregon
- M.S. in Chemistry
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- B.S. in Environmental Chemistry
Biography
Dr. Robak started teaching at Keuka College in the Fall of 2007 and is the primary instructor for organic chemistry at Keuka.
He is the adviser for Keuka's chemistry club and also directs a number of undergraduate research projects. Active research projects include: Exploring click chemistry for organic synthesis, developing new surfboard coatings from polyurethanes, designing chemistry experiments for home-schooled children at the high school level and a project using chemistry and photography to promote both art and science.
Other research interests are: designing more environmentally friendly lab experiments
Professional Interests
chemistry, organic chemistry, science based medicine, green chemistry, science in popular culture, science as art, polymers/plastics, science education, explosive chemistry demonstrations, inorganic chemistry
Jack Westbrook
Instructor of Mathematics
Academic Credentials
- SUNY Geneseo
- M.S.
- SUNY Geneseo
- B.S.
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