Celebrating Youth Contributions

In honour of International Youth Day, we are highlighting how four UHN summer students are contributing to the future of research and health care.   

At UHN, investing in the next generation is more than a commitment; it is an important part of advancing research. Through the UHN STEM Pathways summer research program, 37 high school students had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working alongside researchers, clinicians, and research staff while exploring various research fields and developing the skills and confidence to support their future STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) aspirations. This summer program seeks to support students who experience socioeconomic disadvantages, systemic racism, and barriers to participation in STEM.  

This year’s International Youth Day theme, Different Contexts, Common Aspirations, recognizes how today's youth often share common goals for the future despite being shaped by diverse experiences. Learn about the unique experiences of four UHN summer research students and discover the aspirations driving their work.  

My interest in STEM began with psychology and a curiosity about how thoughts, emotions, and behaviours work. Through UHN STEM Pathways, I had the opportunity to join the lab of Dr. Jason Fish at UHN’s Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. Here, I worked on a project focused on activating a KRAS genetic mutation in an advanced preclinical model using blue light.  

Working alongside scientists at UHN showed me what research is like beyond the classroom. This experience taught me the importance of patience, problem-solving, and attention to detail. Research does not always go as planned, but every challenge is an opportunity to learn and ask questions. 

In the future, my aspiration is to become a clinical researcher who combines both patient care and scientific discovery. Being at UHN has reinforced my ambitions by showing me how discoveries can make an impact. 

My advice for future summer research students is to take advantage of every opportunity, whether it is attending the tours or presentations or introducing yourself to those around you. Everyone has a unique story and valuable advice to share. These experiences helped me understand many different career paths in research and made my placement much more rewarding than I expected. 

My passion for STEM started with learning about the immune system and how our bodies protect us. Through UHN STEM Pathways, I had the opportunity to be a summer research student in Dr. Ralph DaCosta’s lab at UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. I participated in literature reviews and cell culture work, while contributing to projects involving pancreatic cancer cell research. My experience at UHN has taught me that innovation starts with creative problem-solving and requires finding new ways to make research more efficient and effective. 

My STEM aspiration is to pursue a career as a nursing researcher. My time at UHN has helped me better understand how research and patient care work closely together to improve lives. If you are interested in STEM, my advice is to ask a lot of questions, take advantage of every opportunity, and understand that mistakes can happen, but to take them as part of the learning experience. 

Throughout my life, I have always been fascinated by the human body and inspired by family members working in health care. This summer, in the Swallowing Rehabilitation Research lab at UHN’s KITE Research Institute, I supported research activities ranging from analyzing resources for chronic lung disease to knowledge translation projects and clinical X-ray observations. 

What stood out most about my experience was the opportunity to learn from a variety of experts across UHN. Through STEM Pathways’ hospital tours, shadowing experiences, and conversations with researchers, I gained valuable insights, including the importance of paying attention to detail and communicating effectively with team members.  

Despite being in a new environment, I felt supported by passionate people who genuinely wanted to support my learning and growth. Their encouragement gave me confidence to step out of my comfort zone, making this experience positive and rewarding. Seeing how UHN research advances patient care motivates me to contribute to meaningful work and strengthens my aspiration to pursue a career in radiology.  

My advice to future youth in STEM is to make the most of every opportunity, seek feedback, and take initiative when you can. The skills you develop and the connections you make are just as valuable as the experience you gain from the work itself. 

My interest in STEM grew through hands-on experiences at school that gave me insight into a variety of careers and ultimately helped me discover my interest in biomedical engineering. This summer, I joined UHN’s Department of Research Analytics, where I worked with large research datasets and explored integrating artificial intelligence to improve team workflows. 

This opportunity has expanded my understanding of research and data analysis, while helping me develop practical skills that will support my academic and professional goals in STEM. I have learned that working with artificial intelligence requires patience and problem-solving because finding effective solutions often involves trial and error. 

These experiences at UHN reinforced my aspiration to develop innovative and accessible scientific technologies that can improve patient outcomes around the world. My advice for future students is to stay curious, be open to new experiences, and not be afraid to ask for help. 

The experiences of Yusrah, Illia, Selena, and Adam highlight the impact of providing the next generation with meaningful opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow. Through programs like STEM Pathways, UHN is helping students explore career opportunities in STEM, build confidence, and gain a strong foundation in research and health care.