Suffolk Reporter

Two departments within the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Physics and Astronomy, collaborated for a new event on December 9. The inaugural Chemistry and P&A 5K Challenge saw participation from about 60 individuals who completed the race despite some wet weather conditions. The race commenced between LaValle Stadium and the Dubin Family Athletic Performance Center, with smooth operations credited to volunteers from both departments.

David Wrobel, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, remarked, “Congratulations to the Department of Physics and Astronomy on their victory in this exciting inaugural 5K competitive event with the Department of Chemistry. Really, though, it’s a victory for both departments, as well as for the College of Arts and Sciences and for Stony Brook as a whole when our academic departments nurture good relations and strong partnerships through healthy and fun competition. On behalf of the College, thanks to all the faculty, postdocs, and student participants, and to the event organizers for spearheading such an event.”

Chang Kee Jung, distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy stated that “This event is meant to promote inter-departmental collaboration and socialization, and to contribute to the positive campus atmosphere. I hope that this will become a wonderful tradition on the Stony Brook campus.”

Post-race celebrations included medal presentations at The Bench.

The results were as follows:

1st Place Female – Jennifer Cano (P&A)

2nd Place Female – Melanie Cragan (Chemistry)

3rd Place Female – Roxanne Brockner (Chemistry)

1st Place Male & non-binary – Josh Martin (P&A)

2nd Place Male & non-binary – Sergey Syristin (P&A)

3rd Place Male & non-binary – Andrea Palermo (P&A)

Fastest Female Faculty Under 40 was Jen Cano from P&A; Fastest Male & non-binary Faculty Under 40 was Felix Ringer from P&A; Fastest Female Faculty aged 40-60 was Marivi Fernandez Serra from P&A; Fastest Male & non-binary Faculty aged 40-60 was Sergey Syritsin from P&A; Fastest Male & non-binary Faculty over 60 was Dale Drueckhammer from Chemistry.

Roxanne Brockner received recognition as Fastest Staff Female while Donald Sheehan was named Fastest Staff Male & non-binary. Andrea Palermo achieved Fastest Postdoc Male & non-binary.

In graduate student categories:

1st Place GS Female went to Melanie Cragan (Chemistry), followed by Megan Hott (P&A) in second place, with Ngozi Ohagwa (Chemistry) in third place.

Josh Martin (P&A) secured first place among GS Male & non-binary participants. Dominic Picca (Chemistry) came second while Jan Hoffman (Chemistry) finished third.