Congratulations to student James Mercado on being selected to receive the Con Edison STEM Scholarship! The Bronx native is a junior at Lehman, majoring in chemistry and specializing in biochemistry.

Mercado developed his laboratory skills and learned highly detailed processes for experimentation and organic synthesis while working as a student research assistant under the guidance of Professor Andrei Jitianu, his mentor at Lehman.

Only halfway through his undergraduate career, Mercado's résumé now includes detailed subject presentations, science conferences, and, most excitedly, his first peer-reviewed publication, due out this fall. In addition, he served a two-year stint as president of the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) at Lehman.

This summer, Mercado received a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) grant to work as a research assistant at Colby College in Waterville, Maine— "a life-changing experience and a real boost to my confidence," he said.

Remarked Professor Jitianu: "James is a trustworthy and proactive student, always doing things before he is asked. Observing him, I've been impressed with his ability to articulate the scope of his work with different people who have varying degrees of understanding. It's an ability that will help him in his future career."

Mercado, admittedly the only one in his family with an affinity for the sciences, looks forward to pursuing a doctorate and hopes to become eventually a professor with a lab of his own and students to mentor.