Bergen Community College: Bergen Student A Governor's STEM Scholar

Press release from Bergen Community College:

May 8, 2024

Hopkins, of Secaucus, directed “The Microbial Fuel Cell” project, which used microbial fuel cell prototypes to produce bioremediation and clean energy in samples collected from the Hackensack River. The team will present their theory, prototype and results at a Kean University conference this month.

“This experience pushed me to be a better leader, mentor and scientist,” Hopkins said. “I am so grateful I got to work with a team of talented and hardworking students. I am excited to help them share the data we worked so hard for, and more importantly, to see them experience the thrilling culmination of an intensive research project.”

While enrolled at Bergen, Hopkins served as the treasurer for the STEM Student Union, mentored students with intellectual disabilities and even published a scientific paper on the method development of plant DNA-barcodes. She plans to study microbiology and biotechnology at Rutgers University before pursuing a Ph.D. and a career in science policy.

Hopkins former mentor, Bergen Professor Luis Jimenez, Ph.D., raved about her work.

Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 13,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.

This press release was produced by Bergen Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.