With time and thought, every problem has a solution. It’s this way of thinking that led Derek  Peterson ’88, CEO and Founder of Soter Technologies, to create his Digital Fly product line, which includes a transformative innovation that detects and prevents bullying in public schools worldwide.

Thanks in part to the heavy impact of this product, Derek’s work has gained global attention, making him and his work the subject of features on ABC’s Good Morning America, Fox 5 New York, and numerous media outlets throughout the country and around the world.

Derek Peterson ’88

“I’m a graduate of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. This gave me a strong foundation for the start of my professional career in IT, software and product development,” said Derek. “I am pleased to be actively involved with Stony Brook and look forward to being involved with projects, competitions and more in the years to come.”

Derek has developed Public Computer Management Systems for libraries and universities, tax software for accounting firms, security products for airlines and more. Still, no matter how far Derek’s success takes him, he remains connected to Stony Brook University, where he earned his BS in Computer Science.

As a repeat sponsor and judge of Stony Brook’s “Wolfie Tank,” a student competition based on ABC’s Shark Tank, he is committed to fostering the entrepreneurial spirits of students who aspire to follow in his footsteps.

Read more: https://news.stonybrook.edu/alumni/alumnus-uses-technology-to-prevent-bullying-in-schools/

Faculty and students from Stony Brook University’s School of Health Technology and Management, along with staff and volunteers from Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, co-hosted a successful “Connect to Your Health” Senior Citizen Health Fair at the Hampton Bays Senior Center on September 27.

The fair provided seniors with information about tick disease as well as community resources and preventative health and patient portals. Seniors also received free blood pressure screenings and massages.

Volunteer Team for Senior Health Fair in Southampton

School of Nursing students provided blood pressure screenings under the leadership of Professor Giselle Gerardi, a registered nurse and professor in the Applied Health Informatics program. Volunteers from Southampton Hospital and Stony Brook Medicine also took part in the event.

The Applied Health Informatics progam was awarded a grant by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine to conduct this health-technology wellness fair for the senior population in the Town of Southampton.

“We are so proud of our students,” said Carmen McCoy, Program Director for Applied Health Informatics. “We plan to continue educational activities in the Town of Southampton with the senior population with the technology purchased from the grant.”

Read more: https://news.stonybrook.edu/sbsouthampton/students-faculty-host-successful-senior-health-fair-in-southampton/

Mackenzie Deng, a graduating senior receiving his degree in Business Management, developed and implemented College Thursdays, a post-secondary education and preparation program for the Boys and Girls Club of Bellport (BGC).

Every Thursday from October 12, 2017 to April 13, 2018, he hosted presentations, workshops and college campus visits for the club with the goal to prepare high school students in an underprivileged area for post-secondary education.

The college/career fair

Some of the topics and presentations of the events included scholarship research, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) workshop, Stony Brook University student presentation, and a Farmingdale State College visit.

“I really enjoy Mac coming here to the Boys and Girls Club of the Bellport Area,” said Shyniece Mosley, a student in the College Thursdays Program. “The college fair gave me the opportunity to meet and greet different people.”

Mackenzie previously worked with BGC as part of the Business Honors Program during his junior year. For his senior year, the creation of College Thursdays and partnership with BGC not only had great impact, but fulfilled a requirement for his Honors Program.

Read more: https://news.stonybrook.edu/student-spotlight/graduating-senior-makes-impact-on-local-community-club-with-college-thursdays/#prettyPhoto