The Simons STEM Symposium brought together current Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholars and prospective students for an event focused on research, representation and collaboration.

During the symposium, held January 31 and February 7 in the Student Activities Center, current scholars presented their research to incoming prospective students, spotlighting what undergraduate research at Stony Brook University can look like across different specializations.

Projects varied from short-term, summer projects to year-long, in-depth research. Students spoke about the vulnerability of irrigators in hurricanes, oyster immunity and associations that can affect medical attention.

While mentorship is a pillar of the program, this event placed a particular emphasis on sharing research and promoting scientific communication.

"This symposium is really the culmination of our current scholars' research being presented to our prospective scholars," said Brady Brick, lead recruitment and program coordinator for the Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholars Program. "The goal is to help students who are unfamiliar with research envision what they might be doing here at Stony Brook in a few years and see themselves in those roles."

This year marks the first time the Simons STEM Scholars Program includes four cohorts, spanning from first-year students to seniors, reflecting the program's growth since its founding.

Brick explained that the presence of all four cohorts represents the program reaching its intended capacity for the first time. As students progress through the program, their roles evolve alongside their research experience. First-year students are introduced to research environments and lab culture, sophomores begin building foundational skills in their labs, juniors become more established in their research groups and seniors turn their focus toward graduate school and PhD preparation.

For prospective students, seeing that progression firsthand helps demystify what research actually means. "A lot of students are excited about science, but I think it's actually putting together what that excitement will look like in the undergraduate space," Brick said. "Then also having those discussions of, where does this research carry me?"

Among the presenters was Jaylynn Elias, a junior majoring in chemical and molecular engineering and a member of the program's first cohort. Elias presented research on poly lactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable plastic used in applications ranging from 3D printing to medicine.

Her work examines how different surface structures of PLA interact with bacteria and proteins, with implications for biomedical and material science research.

Elias said presenting her work to younger students might inspire them. "It's just really exciting to me to kind of show them what our major and what science can look like outside of the confines of the classroom," she said.

Elias added that the program has provided a strong sense of community throughout her college experience. "Coming to Simons has just been a really strong home base," she said. "They help you every step along the way."

Mathematics major Sean Andrade, also a junior from the program's first cohort, presented a summer research project focused on modeling the spread of C. diff, an intestinal infection increasingly found outside hospital settings. "We want to try and figure out why, but without people dying," Andrade said. "So we are simulating how the disease would spread out in the world."

For Andrade, the symposium was also an opportunity to represent research in pure mathematics. "Pure math majors here are going to be a small bunch," he said. "I want to encourage younger pure math majors to come to this school and join my community."

Simons STEM Scholars Executive Director Erwin Cabrera said the symposium reflects the heart of the program's mission by helping students envision themselves as scientists in the making. "It's important for prospective scholars to see themselves reflected, not only in the interview process, but also see themselves doing research," Cabrera said.

He added that early engagement in research helps students develop inquiry and critical thinking skills, while also emphasizing the program's values-driven approach. "We can teach you algorithms, I can teach you virology, but I can't teach you to care about other people," Cabrera said. "It's bringing humanity back to the forefront of our science."

According to Cabrera, presenting research early in an academic career prepares students for future conferences, collaborations and graduate study. Just as importantly, the symposium offers a supportive environment where students can practice those skills, learn from mistakes and grow more confident in their work.

"At the core of this is community-based research," Cabrera said, describing the event as a space for students to share their passion with others who share similar goals.

As prospective scholars were invited to listen, ask questions and find themselves represented, the symposium offered a glimpse into not only the current research at Stony Brook, but into their own futures in STEM.

- Lily Miller