Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE)

One-of-a-kind science research program

In our RISE program, science students study with star researchers like Drew Fellow and 2015 Nobel Prize Winner William Campbell, as well as other industrial scientists who come to Drew from industry leaders like Lucent Technologies, Merck and Schering-Plough. With decades of leadership in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics, these researchers work one-on-one with Drew undergraduate students, mentoring and guiding them as they perform hands-on research.

In my first foray into independent research through Drew's RISE program, I was able to work collaboratively with Bell Labs, a prestigious research and development institution. My project led to a journal publication, IEEE conference paper and presentation—and a patent. ”

Prize-winning faculty

As a student, you may do work that gets you named in a scientific paper with a RISE Fellow. Working with our faculty—some of whom have as many as 200 patents to their names—puts you out in front of the professional scientific community.

Meet our fellows and associates.

How did RISE arise?

Drew Professor Emeritus, James Miller, when he was Chair of the Chemistry Department, had the initial inspiration. Jim observed that Northern New Jersey has a plentiful supply of research-oriented companies, especially in the pharmaceutical and telecommunications industries. He realized that Drew was strategically located to attract talented researchers from these companies when they retired.

In 1979, George deStevens, who had been Executive Vice President and Director of Research at Ciba-Geigy, joined the Drew faculty and later became the Founding Director of RISE. He was instrumental in raising over $1,000,000 for construction of office and laboratory space for RISE.

Who are the RISE students?

RISE has mentored well over 350 undergraduate science students since its inception. Some are able to begin research as early as their freshman year. Others may start by participating in Drew’s popular Summer Science Institute. Many are able to turn their research into Honors Theses in their senior year. Whenever possible, students present their research results at professional meetings and publish them in peer-reviewed journals. RISE students have an enviable record of being admitted to top-notch Ph.D. programs and medical, dental, and veterinary schools.

How does RISE interact with industry?

Members of RISE not only maintain their natural ties with former employers but also cultivate new ones as opportunities present themselves. We encourage students to undertake internships with local companies, and we welcome the chance to collaborate on research where it would be mutually advantageous. Historically, RISE has benefited enormously from corporate donations of surplus equipment for our laboratories. Other examples include visitor exchanges and shared seminars. For the past 30 years we have organized and hosted the Residential School on Medicinal Chemistry for professionals from the pharmaceutical industry. About 4,000 people from around the world have attended during this long period.

History

The Early History of RISE

1971 The seed is planted
1976 An adjunct research professorship is established
First holder William Moran, retired Director of Chemical Manufacturing at CIBA
Five students mentored in three years
Program named RISE (Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti)
1979 Program approved by Board of Trustees
First director: George deStevens, former Executive VP and Research Director, Pharma Division of CIBA-Geigy. Dr. deStevens was internationally known for his discovery of the two most widely prescribed drugs for high blood pressure. He founded the institute and directed it until his death in 1995.
Fundraising campaign begins

Initial Funding and Developments

Naming grant from Charles A. Dana Foundation ($250,000)
Pew Memorial Trust Grant ($250,000)
Smaller grants from pharmaceutical firms
Total pledges received by 1982: $1.25 million
Construction of offices and laboratories begin on third floor of the Hall of Sciences
Formal Dedication on April 23, 1986
Full recruitment begins

Second Phase of Development

Laboratory space constructed for biologists
Grants totaling $250,000 received from Mellon Foundation,
CIBA-Geigy, Hoechst Celanese, Merck, and Schering-Plough
Formal Dedication of new laboratory on March 30, 1992 (Keynote address by Walter Massey, director of NSF)

RISE Directors

Jon R. Kettenring, former Executive Director, Bellcore and Telcordia Technologies, 2008–present
Ashley H. Carter, former Department Head and Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, Bell Laboratories, 1999–2008
Sydney Udenfriend, former Founding Director of the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, 1996–1999
George deStevens, former Executive Vice President and Director of Research, CIBA-Geigy Corporation, 1979–1995

RISE Student Awards

Lissette Lundono
May 2015, 2nd place
RISE mentor: Dr. Ronald J. Doll
The Synthesis and Chiral Separation of Positive Allosteric Modulators of Glutamic Acid Receptors for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

Randa Barsoom
May 2014, 2nd place
RISE mentor: Dr. Ronald J. Doll
Discovery efforts targeting mutant p53 for the treatment of glioblastoma

Megan McAleavy
May 2013, 1st place
RISE mentor: Dr. Ronald J. Doll
Drug discovery efforts in the reactivation of mutant p53

Tharani Theivakumar
RISE mentor: Dr. Ronald J. Doll
May 2012, 1st place
Discovery of anti-tumor agents targeting mutant p53

Annual RISE-Sponsored Special Programs

The George deStevens Award

Supporting students doing research with RISE Fellows

Dr. George deStevens, Director of RISE, 1979–1995

Dr. deStevens retired from the Pharmaceutical Division of CIBA-Geigy Corporation as Executive Vice President and Director of Research in 1979. The Dr. George deStevens Award for RISE Research aas established by Mrs. Ruby deStevens in loving memory of her husband. Awarded annually to a student or students who conducted research under the tutelage of RISE Fellows

Awardees

2017 – Matthew Owen
2016 – Austin Larocca and Ian Pavlak
2015 – Drew Stenger
2014 – Elizabeth Regedanz
2013 – Antonios Apostolidis and Steven Ketchum
2012 – Maria Falzone
2011 – Yasmine Mourad
2010 – Yang Yang

The Sidney Udenfriend Prize

Dr. Sidney Udenfriend, Director of RISE, 1996–1999

Awarded annually to one or more students majoring in science who demonstrate exceptional promise for fundamental or applied research. Dr. Udenfriend was the Founding Director of the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology. In 1996 he retired as Director Emeritus of the Institute.

Established in 2000 by family and friends of Sidney Udenfriend, second director of theCharles A. Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti. Awarded annually to one or more students majoring in science who demonstrate exceptional promise for fundamental or applied research.

Awardees

2017 – Erin Connors and Diana Lourenco
2016 – Victoria Korn
2015 – Lissette Londono
2014- Randa Barsoom
2013 – Brittany Barreto
2012 – Gregory Hunt & Rachel Masia
2011 – Heather Tynan
2010 – Christian Maggio
2009 – Amanda Driesse & Kimy Yeung
2008 – No Prize Awarded
2007 – Kellie Joyce & Doria Tsatsos
2006 – Daniel Riccio
2005 – Elena Tartaglia
2004 – Anthony Miller
2003 – Lauren Campbell
2002 – Katherine Fish
2001 – Carmen Drahl

Student Information Form

Current RISE Students, please fill out a Student Information Form. If you are a current RISE Research Student and have filled out a Student Information Form in the past, please do so again. Thank you!

Name

Student ID #

Email Address

Phone Number

Campus Address

Class Standing

Year of Graduation

Name/s of RISE Fellow/s you are working with

Semester/s you will be working with RISE

Are you going to be receiving credit for your research with RISE?

Project Title

Major

Minor

Name of Advisor

Papers presented and/or published

Honors/Awards

Have you worked with RISE in the past? If so, what Semester/Year, Name of RISE Fellow

Drew

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