June 15, 2011
In
a small reception held in the D’Angelo Center on the Queens campus
on Monday, June 13, Jessica Placido, a St. John’s University
graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a
specialization in Toxicology was formally presented with the
prestigious J. Edgar Hoover Foundation Scientific Scholarship
award. The event was attended by just over 40 well-wishers
consisting of family members, members of faculty and staff of the
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, as well as her
mentor, Dr. S. William Zito, Associate Dean and Professor of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Dean of the College of Pharmacy and
Allied Health Professions, Robert Mangione, Ed.D.
Joseph D’Angelo Vice President and Director of the J. Edgar
Hoover Foundation and St. John’s Alumnus was on hand to honor the
University and Jessica through his presentation of a check for
$25,000 which she intends to use “toward the greater good of
research,” as she continues to pursue her doctorate degree.
Jessica Placido won the 2011 award after standing out amongst an
elite pool of applicants from prestigious universities throughout
the United States.
The foundation since 1965 has bestowed some 2,000 grants and
scholarships to the value of over $3.5M to needy, young, minority
students and law enforcement officers throughout the US who are in
academic programs that are meant to benefit the wider
community.
Dean Robert Mangione also rendered a few congratulatory words to
Jessica, commending her on her persistence and courage in applying
for the award and her commitment to pursuing her graduate studies
at St. John’s.
A humbled Jessica Placido was very thankful to everyone for all
the support that she has received throughout her academic journey
and to the J. Edgar Hoover Foundation for their continued support
to scientific research and academic excellence.
For media inquiries, please contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant
Vice President for Media Relations at St. John’s University at
(718) 990-6185 or e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu.