August 28, 2023 - While the summer season provides necessary time to rest and recharge after a busy academic year, many students also seize the three-month school break as an opportunity for professional, academic, and personal growth.

From summer internships to research opportunities and more, Marist students often use summertime to focus on their goals before the full schedule of the next academic year kicks into gear.

Below, several Red Foxes share their exciting and rewarding summer experiences.

Madeline Dwyer ('24) - Major: Environmental Science 

Madeline traveled to Oregon State University to conduct research involving environmental sensors called Smart Rocks. These devices are used to collect water quality data to help researchers learn more about environmental health. Going forward, Madeline will bring back what she learned in Oregon, and use Smart Rocks to help understand the impact that changes in climate have on wetlands in the Hudson Valley.

Katie Massey ('24) - Major: Applied Mathematics

Katie spent 10 weeks of her summer at North Carolina State University collaborating with students from around the country as part of the Directed Research for Undergraduates in Mathematics and Statistics program. Her work centered on modeling electric currents in liquid metals using mathematic equations. Katie says she feels fortunate to have finished the summer with research that can be presented in the future and looks forward to working with her peers toward publishing some of their research this fall.

Mikelis Alsbergs ('25) - Major: Athletic Training

Mikelis (pictured above in center) spent his 2023 summer working as a physiotherapist for the Latvian National Basketball under-20 team, traveling to Poland and Lithuania, as well as accompanying the team to the European championship in North Macedonia. Mikelis was responsible for prepping players to play in games and practices, and also dealt with on-court injuries during their busy stretch of seven games in 10 days. 

Benjamin Kurani (’26) - Major: Finance

Benjamin spent his summer studying in Dublin as part of the ASPIRE Business program. He was awarded a merit scholarship by the School of Management and took three courses over six weeks in Ireland, while also touring businesses within the globally-influential financial center. The program was led by Professor Brian Haughey, and also included trips to see local sites and the Irish countryside. Benjamin called it a "transformative experience that created everlasting memories."

Lillian McPadden ('25) - Major: Computer Science

Lillian interned at the Marist-IBM Joint Study Program, where she spent the summer on-campus completing research on what is called Precision Time Control — an essential protocol used to synchronize clocks throughout a computer network. She also was invited to a conference in New Orleans, where she presented on how her experience improved her technical skills, and how companies can tap into partnerships like the Marist-IBM Joint Study Program to find talented and motivated workers. 

Caleb Davis ('24) - Major: Political Science

Caleb’s work at Marist’s Physical Plant and Marist Votes helped prepare him for two roles he took on this summer. First, Caleb worked in the office of New York State Senator Lea Webb (image above, Caleb on right) through the Albany Internship Program, which Caleb called a “life-changing chance to work toward influencing New York State policy” alongside staff, government officials, advocates, and fellow interns. After completing this internship, he also worked in the office of Chicago Alderman Bill Conway on zoning, development, and constituent services in the city’s downtown. 

Frederick Berberich III ('25) - Major: Computer Science

Frederick spent the summer working alongside Marist computing technology professor Dominick Foti to do research on Bluetooth Low Energy — a technology common to mobile phones, headphones, smartwatches, and portable speakers. Frederick’s research uncovered ways that this technology can be tracked and laid the groundwork for security enhancements in the future. Frederick enjoyed “learning real cybersecurity tools and skills that [he] can implement in the industry."