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About 2025

About

Initiated in 2016, The Giles T. Brown Student Project and Research Symposium was conceived by a group of faculty, staff and Deans who believe in the value of the relationship formed between a student and mentor when they explore their academic discipline together beyond the classroom.   The Symposium group provides a venue for all students from any field at OCC to showcase work they've done in class or independently.   We recognize that disciplines showcase work in different ways, so we have created a safe and supportive way for students to share posters, oral presentations, or exhibitions of work to their peers.   We hope the Symposium can simulate a professional conference, but also recognize that students need a first step into their profession.   More than just a day of presentations, we provide support throughout the academic year in the form of faculty-led workshops to identify a research idea, develop an abstract and prepare a poster or oral presentation.  At the event, our OCC community provides constructive feedback and selects the top participants for a scholarship award.  The entire activity is made possible by the many hours of volunteer work put forth by our faculty and staff driven committee who see the value in mentoring students to build community and a sense of connection to the OCC campus.  In the last 9 years, more than 500 students have showcased their work and some have gone on to receive local and regional awards for the work they’ve conducted at OCC. As an attendee shared, the symposium  "helps you gain knowledge in something you might not have looked into on your own."

2025 Committee Members

Jerome Fang
Jerome Fang
Faculty | Astronomy
Chair
Workshops
Abstract Review
Kelli Elliott
Faculty | Biology
Co-Chair
Workshops
Abstract Review
Logistics
Mansour Abdoli
Mansour Abdoli

mabdoli@gwc.cccd.edu
Faculty | Mathematics
Workshops

Melissa Archibald
Melissa Archibald
Faculty | Social Science
Canvas & Student Outreach
Marketing/Advertising
Mentor Support
Abstract Review
Ellen Bistline
Faculty | Literature & Language
Workshops
Abstract Review
Diane Brown
Diane Brown
Faculty | Public Health
Marketing/Advertising
Abstract Review
Melissa Ferguson
Faculty | Psychology
Student Volunteers
Logistics
Abstract Review
Ulrike Green
Ulrike Green
Faculty | Anthropology
Workshops
Student Volunteers
Abstract Review
Daniel Goya-Lane
Daniel Goya-Lane
Faculty | Polysomnography
Workshops
Abstract Review
Amy Hellman
Amy Hellman
Faculty | Chemistry
Logistics
Workshops
Surveys
Abstract Review
Erin Gratz
Erin Gratz
Librarian | Library
Library Liaison
Abstract Review
Workshops
Jon Mochizuki
Jon Mochizuki
Faculty | History
Evaluator Support
Rubric & Evaluations
Abstract Review
Workshops
Duy Pham
Duy Pham
Lab Coordinator | Biology
Website Development
Project Archival
Outreach
Workshops
Abstract Review
Brent Rudmann
Brent Rudmann
Faculty | History
Social Media
Abstract Review
Kevin Scianni
Faculty| Visual & Performing Arts
Rubric & Evaluations
Evaluator Support
Abstract Review
Philip Simpkin
Philip Simpkin

psimpkin@occ.cccd.edu
Faculty | Philosophy
Abstract Review

Michael Sutliff
Michael Sutliff
Dean | Kinesiology & Athletics
Rubric & Evaluations
Abstract Review
Arlene Vargas
Faculty| Counseling
Advertising
Workshops
Abstract Review