submitted by Mr. Peter McHugh, Director of Communications

Riverdale, NY – A few days before leaving Manhattan College, where he had spent the summer conducting complex genetics research with assistant biochemistry professor Bryan Wilkins, Ph.D., Bethlehem University student Ali Zawahrah paused to recount all he had learned during his visit.

The Palestinian student – who was one of five from the West Bank this year to participate in the Bethlehem University-Manhattan College Summer Research Program – absorbed quite a lot academically from Wilkins throughout the course of their study, which examined the functionality of cells in the body that store DNA and other genetic information. Moreover though, Zawahrah said it was the interpersonal skills he learned from his faculty adviser that were the most valuable.

“[Wilkins] taught me how to manage my time, how to meet and introduce myself in a professional way, and how to make a good first impression,” said Zawahrah, who is is still in the process of becoming fluent in English. He is also a chemistry major, and as such, needed to brush up on certain biology concepts he was unfamiliar with.

For overcoming these obstacles, Wilkins praised Zawahrah.

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