Science Outreach

Tri-Institutional Outreach Committee – a culture of science outreach

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Committee Leadership

Brittney Bobowski, TORC Co-Chair
Brittney Bobowski, Co-Chair

Yanina Guerra, TORC Co-Chair
Yanina Guerra, Co-Chair

Mia Haraguchi, TORC Co-Chair
Mia Haraguchi, Co-Chair

Divya Koyyalagunta, TORC Co-Chair
Divya Koyyalagunta, Co-Chair

Leandro Pimentel Marcelino, TORC Co-Chair
Leandro Pimentel
Marcelino, Co-Chair

Marina Shi, TORC Co-Chair
Marina Shi, Co-Chair

Jaina Wollowitz, TORC Co-Chair
Jaina Wollowitz, Co-Chair

TPCB students are engaged in a wide range of outreach programs to bring the wonder and power of science to all communities and to support the next generation of scientists.

The Tri-Institutional Outreach Committee (TOrC) is led by Leandro Pimental Marcelino (TPCB), Marina Shi (TPCB), Jaina Wollowitz (TPCB), Brittney Bobowski (WCM Pharmacology), Yanira Guerra (WCM BCMB), Mia Haraguchi (RU), and Divya Koyyalagunta (CBM). TOrC aims to make science more accessible by spreading awareness about careers in science, inspiring others to follow their passion in STEM, and providing them with resources to help them excel. In parallel, we strive to bridge Weill Cornell Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and The Rockefeller University by connecting members of the Tri-I with a common passion for outreach and mentorship.

To increase the visibility of STEM outreach opportunities in NYC, TOrC launched the Tri-Institutional Outreach Fair in February 2022. Nearly 70 members of the Tri-I community came together virtually to hear presentations from 12 professional and trainee-run outreach organizations, including the New York Academy of Sciences Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program, RockEDU, Weill Cornell Graduate School Advancing Cornell Career Experiences for Science Students (ACCESS), and more. Attendees were also able to connect directly with outreach representatives in breakout sessions. A survey revealed that 90% of participants learned about at least one new outreach group and 50% signed up for a new volunteer opportunity. The Outreach Fair is now an annual event held each spring.

TPCB students have also taken on leadership roles in the High School Catalyst Program, a partnership between the Weill Cornell Graduate School and MSK Postdoctoral Association. The program offers hands-on biomedical research experience to New York high school students from all backgrounds. This rigorous 7-week program pairs mentees with mentors who are current graduate students, and includes an extensive program of seminars, workshops, journal clubs, and discussions, culminating in an NSF-style research proposal. The current Co-Presidents are Charles Warren (TPCB, Geri Lab) and Noah Yardeny (TPCB, Geri Lab), and other TPCB students participate on the leadership team.

TPCB students have recently expanded our science outreach efforts outward into the greater NYC area by organizing lab visits for aspiring young scientists to Tri-I labs. In collaboration with Genspace, a community biology lab in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, TPCB students lead tours of the labs for groups of high school and early college students, who learn more about the scientific opportunities here and what it is like to be a researcher. The program is led by TPCB student Jaina Wollowitz (Heller lab).

See the Tri-I Outreach Committee website for the latest information!

For more information about TOrC or TIMI, or for general questions about getting involved in outreach, please contact: tri.i.outreach.committee@gmail.com

For more information about the High School Catalyst Program, please contact: hscatalystprogram@gmail.com