Local Students Explore Science, Health Careers at STEMQuest
Over 900 New York City students gathered at CUIMC’s STEMQuest 2026 for a day of hands-on exploration into STEM careers and envisioning their own futures in science and medicine. The event on Saturday, June 20, filled all 14 floors of the Vagelos Education Center with students from middle school to college, along with dozens of volunteers from across CUIMC who organized activities and information sessions.
“We want young people from all backgrounds to realize that they can find success in a STEM field of their choice,” says Clara Leon, director of the Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, which hosts the annual event.
Students could choose from an array of activities and information sessions, each illustrating a career in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or medicine. For example, Mailman student Kuriko Masuda presented “Influencers for Good: Designing the Future of Public Health,” and Kay Rivera presented “Game Design Decoded: The Art of Iteration.”
There was also “Intro to Surgery: A Hands-On Suturing Workshop for Students,” led by surgery resident Angel Rosario; “Mic Check! How to Make Your Own Science Podcast,” led by Columbia College student Celine Cotran; and “Computing in the Cloud: The Future of Data Engineering,” led by Humna Sultan, a graduate student at Cornell.
“I love how STEMQuest draws volunteers from across CUIMC,” says Monica Lypson, vice dean of education at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and a STEMQuest presenter. “There were sessions dedicated to many of the healthcare professions, not to mention sessions dedicated to AI and website design!”
At “Pulse Check: A Hands-On Emergency Medicine Experience and Panel,” a three-hour session organized by Jimmy Truong, associate professor of emergency medicine, students could apply a tourniquet to a (simulated) bleeding leg and take each other’s vital signs.
“There is so much to emergency medicine. We wanted to give students time to really experience different facets of the work,” Truong says. “With enthusiastic volunteers and some simulation equipment, we can give young people a real sense of what it’s like to live and breathe emergency medicine.”
STEMQuest is one of many enrichment programs at CUIMC for students from surrounding schools, all of which are designed to stimulate interest in STEM careers. “I am so grateful for the participation of our terrific volunteers, giving their time and sharing their expertise and career wisdom,” Leon says. “It was a great day, and I hope they all got some of the free ice cream!”