BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY

Throughout his time as a Charger, Brendan Straut '24 has had exciting experiences across campus. He's made connections and cultivated a network that includes classmates, mentors, teammates, and friends while also becoming a researcher.

A biology major, Straut is a member of the University's Honors program. He's been working on his thesis under the mentorship of Anna Kloc, Ph.D., examining human heart inflammation and how it could be related to viral infections.

Straut is now looking forward to accepting his bachelor's degree as part of the University's 2024 Commencement, a three-day event that will be held at the University's West Haven campus. As he completed his degree, he gained laboratory experience both on and off campus. While interning for Takasago International Corporation, a fragrance company, he explored new laboratory techniques and cultivated his networking skills.

ESMA FERA ’24
College of Arts and Sciences
Biology, B.S.

Whether her research is focused on rare diseases or cancer, Esma Fera ’24, a native of Kosovo, is committed to improving the lives of patients. She’s grateful for the impactful and hands-on opportunities she had in the lab as a research intern for AstraZeneca/Alexion Pharmaceuticals.

Mansi Udhwani ’21

"Conducting research is a dynamic experience with a lot of nuances. Therefore, it demands one to be resilient. There are times when experiments do not go as planned, and there is a lot of trial and error involved in the process. It is an experience that requires us to overcome challenges, and it also entails critiques in order for a research article to be published after the project is completed.

"My internship helped me learn a variety of new skills, boosted my confidence, and helped me learn the ethics of conducting research with live subjects. Not only was I be able to learn from experts, but I will also be able to stand out among thousands of applications because I have broadened my range of knowledge in the STEM sector."

This program is STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)-designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, designed to instill in our students the technical expertise that employers told us they are looking for in their future hires.

STEM-designation also enables international graduates to remain in the United States for an additional 24 months after graduation to receive training through work experience.

We are proud to be a university that's continuously growing and making positive changes for our students and the community. Our achievements are a testament to our dedicated faculty and staff and the cutting-edge programs they develop; our talented students, who continue to be engaged members of the community; and our alumni, who consistently become leaders in their chosen fields.

In 2026, the University of New Haven was ranked a top-tier university in the North region by U.S. News & World Report in its annual "Best Colleges" rankings. And, for the 10th year in a row, we have been recognized as one of the nation's best institutions for undergraduate education by The Princeton Review. In addition, our Tagliatela College of Engineering is rated among the top third in the country in our category in U.S. News' rankings of the best undergraduate engineering programs.

Our Pompea College of Business is accredited by AACSB International, placing it among the Top 6 Percent Worldwide. We are also a proud member of The New American Colleges and Universities (NAC&U), an exclusive national consortium of selective, small to mid-size (2,000-7,500 students) independent colleges and universities that are dedicated to the purposeful integration of liberal education, professional studies, and civic engagement.

“I cried when I left the U.S. because I was scared,” confessed computer science major Isaura Franco ’26. “And, I cried again when I had to leave Italy because I didn’t want to leave.” It was clear that returning home brought a bit of reverse culture shock. Things were quieter and less connected in comparison to Italy’s lively, social atmosphere. Summing up her experience in three words, she smiled and said, “beautiful, life-changing, and fun."

Spend a semester at the University’s satellite campus in Prato, Italy, or participate in hundreds of opportunities that enable you to learn about and immerse yourself in cultures, customs, and traditions from around the globe.

William Adams, an emeritus professor of computer science, led a program for many years that brought students to our campus in in Tuscany, Italy, in the cradle of the Renaissance.

"I tell parents that their son or daughter will be standing taller when they see them again after their European experience," said Adams. "Upon their return, parents often attest to this fact."