Students & Scientists
getting students DEEP in the science
Introduction
HBCAC’s Students and Scientists Environmental Research Scholarship Program is a place for discovery, awareness and the exchange of ideas. Enter a bold and exciting new classroom and take an unprecedented journey, working beside world-renowned researchers and inspiring change among their peers. Initiated by Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition, The Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition program focuses on the importance of environmental research and the causation of diseases; providing a wealth of scientific knowledge related to the causation of all cancers and chronic diseases, promoting environmental health literacy and advocacy among youth.
To date over 70 students have graduated from our Students & Scientists Environmental Program. They have been valedictorians, salutatorians, and continued advancing their knowledge at Universities such as Columbia, Brown, Cornell, John Hopkins, and UC Davis. Our program helped to get them there as they worked with researchers and medical professionals to develop and implement projects, participated in national conferences, and been in published papers.
The Students & Scientists Environmental Research Scholarship Program internships are specially designed programs for young adults. They are oriented for the highly motivated, independent-minded student with academic strength in science and communication.
Students who participate gain environmental health literacy, confidence, and real-world experience with leadership and teamwork. They build valuable skillsets that include critical thinking, communication strategies, social media marketing, time management, and an understanding of policy. The projects students work can be a variety of formats based on their skills and interest, but regardless their role is to translate science-based information in an easy to understand format to increase capacity in environmental health literacy and advocacy. The program is broken up into three parts; learn the science, explore through placements and projects, and share knowledge with the community.
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Students engage in communication training with guest alumni and professionals in the spring over a 6 week period where they are required to attend weekly meetings.
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Through the summer, students are placed at labs or on community projects where they explore areas of interest and to contribute to the science or develop tools to share with the community.
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Throughout the school year, students share this environmental health information in dynamic ways from outreaches to videos or even app development, becoming agents for change in their community.
Testimonials
from our Alumni high school Ambassadors
My experiences with HBCAC were instrumental in my pursuit of a career path that prioritizes advancing health justice by recognizing that advocacy for patients and community health overall is an intrinsic part of my practice as a physician. I am grateful for the guidance I received from HBCAC leadership and the scientists whose lab I worked in, especially with respect to developing my understanding of social responsibility and how effective grassroots activism can be in enacting real change for people and communities.
— Tehreem Rehman
“As an intern at HBCAC for 5 years, I have had several eye-opening opportunities in which I have used my voice and platform as a youth environmental and public health activist to educate anyone and everyone about the risks associated with our polluted environment. I am proud to be a guardian of the future and continue to influence the community and policy makers in regards to making a safer and healthier environment for tomorrow generations.”
— Subhana Zafar
“Working with HBCAC has provided me with so many unforgettable memories and life-changing experiences. My time as an intern showed me how important understanding environmental health is in today's world and is one of the main reasons as to why I am currently studying environmental health, pre-med, at the University of Rochester.”
— Sam Roberts