Layla Quinones

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Hospital for Special Surgery, Imaging Core

Supervisor: Rhima Coleman, Ph.D

“Since my sophomore year in college, I have been participating in exciting research and contributing to the scientific community. As a research assistant in the Imaging Core at the Hospital for Special Surgery’s Margaret Caspary Research Facility, my team and I have characterized tissue level properties of mouse bone with different types of Osteogenesis Imperfecta. We then related tissue level properties to possible pathways to fracture that would help the scientific community understand the relationship between the structural and molecular contributors in any bone. I feel privileged to be a part of a research team at such an early stage in my academic career. The experience of conducting research has certainly influenced my drive to excel in college, and has helped me make the decision to further my education by pursuing a Ph.D. I have acquired specialized experimental skills, as well as enhanced my ability to analyze data and discover knowledge through my direct participation with the research study. The idea of discovering new things that could help advance the scientific community makes me thrilled to continue to do research and explore other areas of study.”

— Layla Quinones

David Osayande 

Northeast Regional Alliance (NERA) Medprep Program

SUNY CSTEP Optometry Program

“I am planning to enter my second year of the Medprep program this summer at Mt. Sinai SOM. In my first year of the program, at Columbia University, I was exposed to some tough pre-med science courses, namely, organic chemistry and biology. The preparation made those courses much easier during the school year. I also took the histology and narrative medicine courses, which gave a glimpse into the first year of medical school. This summer, in the second year, I will begin shadowing opportunities within Mt. Sinai, along with intense MCAT preparation.”

“I participated in SUNY Optometry’s CSTEP Program last winter and loved it! I shadowed optometrists and optometry students throughout numerous departments such as vision therapy, ocular disease, and pediatrics. The optometrists were very welcoming and informative in the field of optometry and its differences from medicine. While I am still interested in medical school, optometry is certainly another strong option.” — David Osayande