Science and Technology Come to Life for NYSCF’s Summer Interns
NewsEach year, NYSCF interns are exposed to innovative and cutting-edge science through our ten-week intensive curriculum and one-on-one mentorship program. These budding STEM leaders discover how teams across the organization work together to achieve the goals of a mission-driven scientific nonprofit.
“This internship really highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of science,” said Sarah Frances (Columbia University), a Parkinson’s Disease Research Intern, who defined markers of inflammation in Parkinson’s Disease brain cells with and without genetic mutations.
“My past lab experiences were focused on my own discipline, neuroscience. At NYSCF, we get to interact with the engineers, clinical researchers, business, and legal sides of NYSCF’s mission which has made my internship experience even more interesting and fulfilling.”
Interns’ individualized projects with their mentors are supplemented by lectures, panels, workshops, and networking opportunities to create an immersive learning experience. Through our internship program, NYSCF is building a diverse STEM education pipeline to seed the next generation of scientists and changemakers.
“Internships matter. Students, particularly from less privileged backgrounds, are often intimidated by the concept of going into a laboratory,” said NYSCF President & CEO Jennifer J. Raab. “Through engagement activities where interns work alongside our scientists and STEM professionals, they know they can do it, and that they can make a difference.”
“The most rewarding aspect of this internship has been applying my knowledge from the classroom to a real-life setting,” shared Ava Thompson (Macaulay Honors College at the College of Staten Island, CUNY), a Research & Development Engineering Intern who developed a hardware sensor to measure and control an ideal environment for stem cell production. “I’m learning all the different applications of engineering, and I know my work here makes a real difference.”
Over the course of their internship, interns discover how they can translate their passion for science into careers in and outside of the lab. “I am currently pre-law, and planning to attend law school in the future. My work at NYSCF is related to technology and intellectual property, which I hadn’t considered before, but found I really enjoyed,” remarked Yingrong Yang (Macaulay Honors College at City College, CUNY), a Legal Intern, who conducted an analysis of the patentability of NYSCF’s stem cell technology.
In August, the 2024 class of interns presented their work to the NYSCF community, elected officials and city officials, education partners, family, and friends.
NYSCF is grateful to the New York City Council for its support of our education programs. Speaking at the event, New York City Council Member Rita Joseph, Chair of the Committee on Education, said “The Council’s support underscores our commitment to developing a robust life sciences pipeline in our city. The projects and achievements on display today are testament to the importance of investing in our young minds and their bright futures.”
NYSCF’s City Council Member Gale Brewer highlighted the diverse and multifaceted nature of the program, “it’s important to have a place like NYSCF in New York City”.
We would like to extend a special thank you to our key partners who make this internship program possible:
- NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (Ladders for Leaders)
- NYCEDC (LifeSci Internship Program)
- McNulty Foundation
- Pace University (Community Impact Program)
- City College of New York (S Jay Levy Fellows)
- Prep for Prep
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
- NYC Council Members Gale Brewer and Eric Dinowitz
- NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams