Research Of Fair Lawn Professor, BCC Students Published

PARAMUS, NJ - A Bergen Community College professor and 13 of his students recently had their research published in two journals, according to the school.

After their work appeared in American Pharmaceutical Review this summer and Bios this month, Professor Luis Jimenez, biology professor and researcher, said, “The recent publications by STEM students demonstrate that Bergen Community College is a leader among community colleges not only in New Jersey but across the nation fostering and promoting innovative approaches in STEM education."

In one research group, Jimenez and his students, Arianna Pinto, of Kearny, Adelajda Turku, of Elmwood Park, Stephanie Perez, of Englewood, and Vanesa Molina, of Maywood, focused on the rapid detection of bacteria in pharmaceutical products. The pharmaceutical testing conducted by the students demonstrated a new procedure to determine drug quality faster and more efficiently, thereby saving time and money and enhancing consumer’ safety, according to the school.

The other group, featuring Jimenez and students Matthew Gardner, of Ridgewood, Joy Bochis, of Woodland Park, Theranda Jashari, of Garfield, Victoria Ellman, of Dumont, Jenifer Vasquez, of Lyndhurst, Stephanie Zapata, of West New York, Victorya Ramos, of Englewood, Tina Choe, of Clifton, and Mahtab Tazehabadi, of Edgewater, examined mold cloning in soils – important for nutrient recycling and soil fertility, according to the school.

Jimenez, a Fair Lawn resident, also had personal research published in American Pharmaceutical Review this fall.

By analyzing seven years of FDA reports and drug recalls, Jimenez provided a unique survey on the reasons for the lack of quality control during drug production and the types of microorganisms present in contaminated products. His individual research work, “Analysis of FDA Enforcement Reports (2012-2019) to Determine the Microbial Diversity in Contaminated Non-Sterile and Sterile Drugs,” was published in the October issue of American Pharmaceutical Review. Jimenez previously worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 20 years.

Research opportunities at Bergen are made available through grant funding by the National Science Foundation, the current 3SP STEMATICS program and previously by the STEM GPS Graduate Path for Success program. Bergen’s biology and science laboratories focus on first-hand research opportunities for community college students.

Click here to see Bergen's research in American Pharmaceutical Review and Bio.