YES in THE HEIGHTS: tomorrow’s health equity leaders

Training the next generation of scientists begins early at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC). Each summer, HICCC’s YES in THE HEIGHTS (Youth Enjoy Science Training in Health Equity, Highlighting Environmental Inequities, & Growing neighborHood Teachers and Students) internship program welcomes high school and undergraduate students from across New York and New Jersey. Collaborating with top health experts, shadowing oncologists, and discussing critical issues like cancer health disparities, the program provides students with opportunities to explore careers in cancer research.

“Pathway programs like YES in THE HEIGHTS offer students spaces where they feel they belong, which is essential to diversifying the workforce,” says Jasmine McDonald, PhD, co-associate director for education and training and YES in THE HEIGHTS faculty lead. “Mentoring these students ensures they gain career experience early and see themselves thriving in spaces like Columbia.”

Nicole Foto

At just 17, Nicole Foto published her research study “Pictures4Prevention” on ResearchGate with the guidance of her YES in THE HEIGHTS mentor, Parisa Tehranifar, DrPH. Her published work seeks to improve scientific visuals to communicate complex messages about disease prevention, breaking down language barriers. Working with HICCC staff members on Project Sun Safe, Foto advocates for sun safety policies at high schools across New York, including her own. Foto is currently pursuing her education at the Sophie B. Davis CUNY School of Medicine, and helps younger students publish their own research through her nonprofit, EnvisionSTEM.

Oriana Parsa

During her summer with YES Scientific Enrichment Month program, Oriana Parsa cofounded EndHPVNYC, a public health Instagram campaign to advocate for HPV vaccination. After completing the program, she stayed on at the HICCC as an intern under her mentor, pediatrician Ashley B. Stephens, MD, and continues to work closely with the Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) office to grow the initiative and share her work among her peers. Parsa, an upper Manhattan native, is now in her second year at Princeton University, continuing to realize her dream of becoming a physician.

Emanuel Leclerc

High school senior Emanuel Leclerc was surprised to learn that he would be able to observe oncology rotations firsthand alongside his internship mentor, Luqman Dad, MD, MBA, a head and neck radiation oncologist. Inspired by the experience, Leclerc implemented a visual learning tool called MYCAREGORITHM at Columbia to help patients navigate their initial care appointments and went on to present the results at this year’s Head and Neck Cancer Symposium at Columbia. While research remains his passion, Leclerc has a newfound love of working with patients after getting hands-on experience in the hospital and hopes to pursue a combined MD/PhD program.

Back to Report