Cure Logo

October 25, 2024

Article

Second Annual Life Sciences Day Inspires NYC High School Students

View all topics

The second annual Life Sciences Day, including events at Cure, brought 250 high school students from across New York City the opportunity to explore the world of life science innovation on Oct. 24, 2024.

Overview

The second annual Life Sciences Day, including events at Cure, brought 250 high school students from across New York City the opportunity to explore the world of life science innovation.

The second annual Life Sciences Day, which included events at Cure, brought 250 high school students from across New York City the opportunity to explore the world of life science innovation on Oct. 24, 2024.

Organized by Life Science Cares New York in collaboration with the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the event immersed students in the diversity of the growing life sciences sector at six prominent healthcare innovation and research hubs in New York City.

“Life Sciences Day provides a deep dive for students into how scientists and entrepreneurs develop ideas into new drugs, medical tests and technologies that help improve everyone's health and wellbeing," said Elizabeth Fassberg, Executive Director of Life Science Cares New York.

Fassberg noted that Life Science Cares believes it's important to expose students to science in their high school years to get them excited about future careers in life sciences.

"Meeting experts in their own NYC 'backyard,' like those at Cure's healthcare innovation hub, also helps open doors to students who typically don't have a way into the field," Fassberg added.

The event kicked off with virtual opening remarks delivered from Cure. Speakers included Seema Kumar, CEO of Cure and member of the Life Science Cares New York Board of Managers; Pablo Legorreta, CEO of Royalty Pharma; Mark Veich, CEO of Advancium Health Network; and Viq Pervaaz, Senior Vice President of Life Sciences and Healthcare at NYCEDC.

"At Cure, we believe that the future of healthcare innovation lies in the hands of the next generation. Events like Life Sciences Day provide students with the invaluable opportunity to see firsthand how science can transform lives and how their passion and creativity can shape the future," said Kumar.

"By opening our doors and fostering curiosity, we aim to inspire these young minds to pursue careers in life sciences and continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in medicine and healthcare," she added.

The students then participated in hands-on workshops and interactive tours. They also had networking sessions with industry professionals, which provided an in-depth look at career paths in biotechnology, healthcare, and medical technology.

In addition to Cure, the students visited research hubs such as Alexandria LaunchLabs, Biolabs@NYU Langone, SOSV/IndieBio, Taystee Lab Building, and West End Labs, where they experienced the innovative work happening in life sciences today.

Students explored cutting-edge labs through interactive tours at and engaged in hands-on experiments to spark their curiosity. The events included:

  • Interactive Tours

    Students explored cutting-edge facilities and technologies through visits to industry-leading companies including MeiraGTx, Kallyope, Graviton Bioscience, Quorum Bio, Onco Precision, XYone Therapeutics, Humane Genomics, Deerfield Catalyst, Excelsior Sciences, Wandercraft, Lexeo Therapeutics, and Volastra Therapeutics. Students in Harlem also visited BioBus’ brick and mortar lab at Columbia University and the Mink Building – both in Innovation Triangle-West Harlem.

  • Hands-On Experiment Workshops

    Students participated in experiments involving strawberry DNA hosted by Lime Therapeutics; liver viewing and talks with Ochre Bio; bacterial glowing at Quorum Bio; BioArt led by Karen Ingram at IndieBio; LEGO and breathing apparatus demonstrations at Deerfield Catalyst; a safety experiment using shaving cream and gloves with Safety Partners; and Thermo Fisher will get the kids excited with some of their equipment.

  • Hands-On Startup Workshops

    Students learned about building life science companies and pitching ideas at IndieBio; startup finances by Baker Tilly; career paths from Kersten Small from Selah Therapeutics and Juvenescence and Andra Stevenson from Merck. Haystack Medical and Bioworkshop discussed their journies starting from academia and moving into the startup space.

  • Networking Luncheons

    Students met additional professionals in all fields that deal with life sciences at all six hubs including founders and starts ups at Harlem BioSpace and CUNY and companies such as,Loxo at Lilly, Cellectis, Astr Partners, ZenasBio, Royalty Pharma, RSM US LLP, Evommune, Sciex, Cytiva, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, Lexeo Therapeutics, Envisagenics, Thermo Fisher, Freshfields, Humane Genomics, XYone Therapeutics, and Onco Precision, a 2024 NYCEDC Golden Ticket winner.

“This initiative not only showcased career opportunities but also empowered the next generation of innovators,” said Andrew Kimball, President and CEO of NYCEDC. Life Sciences Day is part of a broader effort to strengthen New York City’s role as a global leader in life sciences while fostering equitable career pathways.

Students from 10 NYC high schools participated in the event.

Life Science Cares activates the financial and human capital of the life sciences industry and partners with nonprofits to disrupt the cycle of poverty and inequality in our communities. Currently operating in five industry hubs (Boston, Philadelphia, New York, San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area), Life Science Cares builds deep and meaningful partnerships with community-based organizations providing access to basic needs, access to education and access to opportunity.

More Stories