Editor’s Note: Through an ASCB COMPASS Outreach Grant, Stanford University’s Cancer Center Outreach Program expanded opportunities for community college students to explore biomedical research careers and connect with scientists. The grant helped support educational activities, including a field trip to Stanford and an end-of-session symposium. The following article was adapted from Stanford’s Cancer Center Outreach Program and highlights the experiences of participating students.
This spring session, CCOP hosted two events to conclude another successful quarter of research internships. First, CCOP welcomed students from across California for the Belonging in Science: Stanford-ASCB Field Trip on Friday May 1. One week later, on Friday May 8, CCOP Opportunities in Research Engagement (CCOP-CORE) interns celebrated research interns in the End-of-Session Symposium.
Lab Tours
To kick off the field trip, participants toured six different labs kindly hosted by CCOP leadership and CORE internship labs. Although students learn about science concepts and lab techniques in science lectures and lab courses, the layout and organization of a full time research lab can look very different. CCOP-CORE interns and mentors prepared specimens and experiments to show field trip attendees what lab life entails (including: worms, fish, plants, mice, flies, and cells)
Panel with lunch: Casey Decosto, Jerry Hnin, Teni Anbarchian, Reva Siu-Masset
Community College alumni-Stanford researchers answered student questions over the lunch panel. Moderated by CCOP Director Rachel Wyetzner, the panelists discussed their paths to research, imposter syndrome, and community at Stanford. Panelists urged students to find their community and support systems, keeping in touch with former mentors, and to take any and all opportunities — even just by cold emailing professors about their research.
Stanford-CCOP research talks: Samira Vera, Jerry Hnin, Sarah Borja
Following the lunch and panel, CCOP interns and alumni presented about their research and paths to scientific research. Samira is a current San Jose City College student and CCOP Intern getting ready for an exciting summer of research. Jerry is a CCOP-CORE internship alumnus and UC Berkeley graduate, who recently returned to Stanford for a post-baccalaureate research experience. Finally, Sarah Borja was the keynote speaker, who is also a CCOP-CORE internship alumna currently conducting research at San Jose State University.
Mixer in LKSC Herb Garden
Students refueled after an exciting day over pizza, snacks, and drinks, while getting to know attendees from other schools better. Students from five community colleges played games together and created new connections in STEM. CCOP interns attended this mixer, and shared wise advice and experience with the field trip attendees.
Thank you to ASCB’s COMPASS Committee for support in making this field trip happen. Thank you to our attendees from partner colleges, and our new friends from across California from Santiago Canyon College in Orange County and Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo.
About the Author:
This post was collaboratively written by several ASCB staff members.
