What is a Study Group Leader?
Our study group leaders are trained in facilitating effective study groups. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a facilitator as one that helps to bring about an outcome (as learning, productivity, or communication) by providing indirect or unobtrusive assistance, guidance, or supervision. Employing cooperative learning strategies, study group leaders assist students in viewing and using each other as valuable resources. Leaders also help students develop more effective studying and test-taking techniques.

Our Student Leaders

• Sarah Bernards '12 from Seattle, Washington is a member of BSP and leads Comparative Physiology (BioG 1440). Sarah is a junior in the college of Arts and Sciences double majoring in French and Biology, with a concentration in Genetics and Development. After graduation she plans to attend an MD or MD/PhD program. Her favorite classes at Cornell have been French through Film (FREN 3050) and Plagues and People (ENTOM 2100). In her free time, she enjoys reading, swimming, and spending time with friends and family. She says, "One important aspect of doing well in class is keeping up with the material. Having a friend or group of friends to study with can help you maintain a regular study schedule. BSP’s study groups are a great way to do this."

• Ida Bernstein '12  from Spring, Texas is a member of BSP and leads Biochemistry (BioMG 3300).  She is a student in the College of Arts and Sciences and plans to complete the Nutrition Program of Study as well as a minor in Global Health.  Ida hopes to attend an MD/MPH (Masters of Public Health) program after Cornell.  Her favorite course so far would probably be a tie between BioMG 3300 (Autotutorial Biochem) and NS 2600 (Intro to Global Health).  In her spare time, Ida loves to bake, read, run, and spend as much time outside as possible (except in the winter of course)! She also volunteers at the Ithaca Free Clinic.  She thinks one of the most important strategies for success is really spending some time finding out what study strategies work best for you, whether it's working alone, in groups, recopying notes, going to office hours, etc.  It's important to remember that different classes require different approaches!  If something isn't working, recognize that some changes need to be made to your study habits. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help and take advantage of all the different support groups available to you if you need some help finding out what you could change or about different study strategies!

• Bryan Botti '11 from Livingston, New Jersey leads General Chemistry (CHEM 2207-2208) and Physics (2207-2208).  Bryan is a Biology Major concentrating in Neurobiology and Behavior. His favorite class is BIONB 2210 Introduction to Animal Behavior. In his spare time, he loves to act and sing, and is involved with Cornell’s Melodramatics. In the future, Bryan plans to attend medical school and be a doctor.  He adds, "One strategy for success in science courses is to take excellent notes and review them daily."

• Ashley Brown '12 from Jupiter, Florida is a member of BSP and leads Principles of Cell and Developmental Biology BioMG 1350.  She is in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences doing a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.  Ashley plans to attend medical school after graduation.  So far, her favorite class is Genetics BioMG 2810.  She says, "While the course material is difficult, I love how many ways genetics can be used and applied in various areas of biology, and it was incredibly useful to me."  In her spare time she likes being outdoors, cooking, spending time with friends, and (when not land-locked and cold!) scuba diving and snorkeling.  Ashley's advice for doing well is "to prepare for a career that you can't wait to get out of college for and to take the classes that really make you excited. Doing what you love is the most powerful motivation. Also, take time to have fun.  Your grades are important, but your happiness and sanity is even more important."
• Eda Dou '12  from San Dimas, California leads Organic Chemistry CHEM 3570-3580.  She is a Biology major and member of BSP in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.  Eda is interested in both research and medicine. Her favorite course, so far, has been organic chemistry (Chem 3570-3580). In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and watching documentaries of all types. To succeed in your studies, Eda recommends having a balance between studying and having fun by efficiently using your time. When studying, she suggests doing so without any form of distraction (ie. facebook).
• Amarilys Fernandez '13 from Miramar, Puerto Rico is a member of BSP and leads General Chemistry (CHEM 2207-2208).  She plans on attending medical school after graduation.

• Rahini Kadle leads Introductory Biology (BIOG 1101-1102). I live and grew up in Buffalo, NY. I am pre-med, and, since I love working with children, I hope to be a pediatrician. I have not decided on my biology concentration as of yet, but I am leaning towards either molecular and cell biology or neurobiology. My favorite class, not only last year, but also throughout high school, was chemistry. I love the combination of problem solving and science that chemistry presents. For fun, I love to paint, draw, etc. I have taken many classes in art, and now do it on my own. In science courses, I believe that understanding is the key to doing well. While it may sometimes seem easier to blindly memorize, true comprehension of the subject matter is what will lead to success.

• Moira Scaperotti '12 from Patterson, NY is a member of BSP and leads Organic Chemistry (Chem 3570-3580).   She is a Biological Sciences major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, with a concentration in Neurobiology and Behavior. After graduating from Cornell, Moira plans to attend medical school or an MD/PhD program. Her favorite courses at Cornell thus far have been Medical Parasitology (BioMS/MI 4310) and Organic Chemistry (3570-3580).  In her spare time she loves to go to the movies, work out, and relax with friends and family; she also enjoys trying new things!  She says, "I think that the best strategy for academic success is staying on top of one’s course work by dedicating a few minutes each day to every subject. Allowing yourself a few minutes to rework the latest material on a daily basis really makes studying for prelims and finals much easier!"
• Sergio Veliz '11 from Brooklyn, NY is a member of BSP and leads Biochemistry (BioMG 3310-3320).  He is in CALS studying Biological Sciences with a concentration in nutrition.  Sergio plans to attend medical school.  Before that he may do a little bit of traveling outside the country, somewhere far away.  His favorite course is NS 1150 Nutrition, Health, & Society with Professor Levitsky. He says, "This class is great because anyone can take it, even non-biology majors."  In his leisure time he enjoys lifting weights.   He adds, "Being physically active is a great way to relieve stress and feel good about yourself."  One piece of advice to succeed at Cornell:  "Start strong and finish strong. Thats my motto. Don't start slacking off from the beginning because it is going to be a lot harder to do well in the end."
• Linda Wu '12 from Boynton Beach, Florida leads Genetics BioMG 2810.  She is in the College of Arts and Sciences, concentrating in Neurobiology and Behavior. After graduation, Linda hopes to attend medical school. Her favorite class so far has been autotutorial biology. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and watching TV. One of the keys to achieving success in your courses is to not let yourself fall behind; learn to manage your time efficiently. It's important to really understand the material and ask for help if you don't!  

• Stephanie Zimmerman '12 from Fairbury, Illinois is a member of BSP and leads General Chemistry (CHEM 2207-2208) and Organic Chemistry (CHEM 3570-3580).  She is in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in biology with a minor in global health.  After graduating from Cornell, Stephanie plans to attend medical school and hopefully enter an MD/MPH program.  In the future, she would like to play a role in shaping health care policy, either on a domestic or international level.  Her favorite course so far at Cornell has been Intro to Linguistics LING 1101. She adds, "Take it in the spring semester--the professor is very entertaining."  When she's not in class or working, she likes to go to the Ithaca Commons with her friends and eat at different restaurants ("Taste of Thai is amazing!").  Her advice for success at Cornell is to remain positive, go to study centers if a course offers them, keep on top of your course work (cramming causes a lot of stress) and to not become too obsessed with individual test scores.

Our Staff

• Bonnie Comella is the Associate Director of the Office of Undergraduate Biology and Director of Advising and Operations. She initiated the Biology Scholars Program, acquired Cornell support for it, and is looking forward with much anticipation and continued hands-on guidance to its growth, potential and member contributions.
• Jeff McCaffrey is Coordinator of the Biology Scholars Program and also helps train student leaders to run effective study groups. He is from Oswego, NY. His favorite class was BIOEE 2650, Field Ecology, because, "you learn how to ask good questions and to collect, interpret, and present data (i.e. how to do biology) in settings like: a field of goldenrod, an old-growth forest, and a mountain in the Catskills. It sure beats a seat in Call auditorium!" He suggests to students, "Remember to make time in your schedule for fun and relaxation."