HICCC Summer Programs Spotlight

August 30, 2024

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This summer, the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) hosted students from preschool to college in a series of outreach programs, offering essential cancer education and resources to the community.

On behalf of University Heights High School, principal Hazel Joseph Roseboro and guidance counselor Esmeralda Pelaez, expressed their gratitude and gave a special shoutout to HICCC staff members who led the Scientific Enrichment Month and YES in the HEIGHTS programs.

"We deeply appreciate your dedication and the positive influence you've had on our students," they said. "These opportunities have enriched their educational experience and personal growth. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and building on the success of these programs to further support and inspire our students."

YES in the HEIGHTS 

2024 YES in the HEIGHTS participants, Lorraine Benn (left) and Raven Herring (right)

The YES in the HEIGHTS program is a summer internship for high school and undergraduate students aiming to increase the pool of under-represented and under-resourced youth entering STEM fields. This year, YES in THE HEIGHTS welcomed 17 new interns and four returning interns, with 19 being from the New York City / New Jersey area and three coming from Spelman College. Over the course of eight weeks, the interns participated in research experiences with faculty mentors, shadowed oncologists at Herbert Irving Pavilion and Millstein Hospital, and engaged in weekly cancer-related research discussions at the HICCC Cancer Biology Journal Club. 

Scientific Enrichment Month speakers and public health experts present to over 1,200 students joining from around the world. From left to right: Mary Beth Terry, PhD, Jasmine McDonald, PhD, Robert A. Winn, MD (Director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center), and Peter Monsivais (Huntsman Cancer Institute).

Scientific Enrichment Month  

The Scientific Enrichment Month program (SEM) is a free, month-long virtual program for high school and undergraduate students that takes place every July. This year, SEM had over 1,200 registrants, with each session ranging from 500 to 700 participants. Programing included four public health working groups that focused on peer-to-peer education: Anti-tobacco, Sun Safety, Genetics, and HPV Prevention. SEM sessions focused on cancer education, scientific enrichment, and professional development with topics ranging from Skin Cancer Prevention to a Public Health Professionals Panel. 

Cancer Prevention in Action team teaching young participants how to properly apply sunscreen at Head Start Family Day.

Head Start Family Day  

This past July, the HICCC Cancer Prevention in Action team attended a Staten Island Head Start chapter's family day. Parents and preschool aged children from four Head Start sites attended the event for resources and a day of fun. Participants were given free sunscreen, SPF lip balm, sun safety coloring books, and simple demonstrations geared towards the children. Various demonstrations involved putting sunscreen on a ball and putting it in water to show how sunscreen needs to be reapplied after swimming or sweating, and using a flashlight and a ball to show how a shorter shadow means more intense sun. 

2024 LAGCC interns, Suborna Singha (left) and Jonathan Machado (right)

LAGCC & HICCC Internship Program  

This past June, the HICCC and LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC) launched a new internship program aimed at helping LAGCC students jump-start careers in clinical research. This program provides students with hands-on experience within the HICCC, not only building their skillset, but also building a pipeline of experienced research assistants coming from a variety of different backgrounds. The two inaugural interns, Jonathan Machado and Suborna Singha, spent time in labs throughout the HICCC, delving behind the scenes from basic science to public health research.