High school students from New York, Ohio, and Connecticut ignited their future in STEM during a week-long camp hosted by Niagara University’s Biomedical Research Institute, Aug. 3-9, 2025.
Campers performed hands-on research and collaborated with NU faculty, researchers, and other special guests during the week as they immersed themselves in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and computer science; learned how scientific research is performed; and networked with industry experts.
In addition to professors from Niagara University, instructors from Learning Undefeated, the Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research, Daemen University, and the University at Buffalo presented workshops. Dr. Alexandra Lion, a postdoctoral research fellow from the lab of Dr. Jessica Lehoczky at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard University, also gave a presentation on marine invertebrates and how they are used in different fields of biological research. The campers learned more about marine biology, ecology, and environment at the Niagara Aquarium, and traveled to the Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve in Hamburg, N.Y., for a lesson on paleontology. Evening activities included a guided hike along the Niagara River gorge.
“The hands-on, inquiry-driven learning our campers engaged in not only ignited their curiosity, but also helped them see themselves as future scientists and innovators,” said Dr. Mary McCourt, the Michael J., ’60 and Aimee Rusinko Kakos Endowed Chair of Chemistry. “We’re proud to provide opportunities that spark passion for STEM and build the next generation of problem solvers.”
