Why should you become an ASMP mentor?

Young people who have the opportunity to meet real scientists and engineers — and who are exposed to science through active inquiry-based learning — are more likely to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Yet many children have never met or interacted with a “real” scientist, particularly in the most underserved neighborhoods. By being students’ positive role model as a real-world scientist or engineer, you can inspire curiosity and excitement about STEM topics, and positively influence the career aspirations of young minds in NYC.

Need more incentive? Accepted participants also receive a stipend and a yearlong Membership to the New York Academy of Sciences!

Frequently Asked Questions

"Chat with a Scientist" Events

During the school year, the Academy holds virtual “Chat with a Scientist” events in an effort to create a space for middle and high school students (and their families) to engage with real scientists, live.

These Chats are hour-long interactive webinars that give scientists the opportunity to talk to students in our programs about their paths into science, the work they currently do, and answer live questions. Our main goal is to provide students with the opportunity to “meet” and engage with scientists, and hopefully to spark their interest in learning more or even considering science in their own futures.

Through this one-time commitment, scientists who participate will have the opportunity to:

• Inspire curiosity and excitement about STEM
• Positively influence the career aspirations of students from underserved communities
• Make a difference in the lives of budding young scientists

If you are a graduate student, post-doc or STEM professional and are interested in being featured in a Chat with a Scientist event, please email asmp@nyas.org

Chat with a Scientist has wrapped up for the school year. Check out the on demand library of Chat with a Scientist '21-'22 event recordings at events.nyas.org/scientistchat and tune in again live in the fall!

Past Events:

The Impact of Climate Change

April 21st, 2022 5-6pm ET

• Caroline Juang, PhD Candidate of Earth & Environmental Environmental Sciences, Columbia University
• Jose Rafael Guarin, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University; NASA GISS

Materials Science and Sustainability

April 14th, 2022 5-6pm ET

• Alana Guzzetta, P.E., U.S. Concrete National Research Laboratory Manager
• Neel S. Joshi, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University

The Science of Environmental Policy

March 17th, 2022 5-6pm ET

• Mahmoud Abouelnaga, Solutions Fellow, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)
• Sonia Wang, Policy Analyst, Co-owner and Student

Water and Sustainability

March 3rd, 2022 5-6pm ET

• Shah Selbe, Founder, FieldKit and Conservify
• Haydee Salmun, Associate Professor, Hunter College & The Graduate Center, CUNY

Sustainable Fashion

February 10th, 2022 5-6pm ET

• Theanne Schiros, PhD, Associate Professor, Fashion Institute of Technology
• Yuly Fuentes, MIT the Future of Fabrics

Environmental Justice and Technology

February 3, 2022 5-6pm ET

• Behruz Mahmudov, Independent Researcher and Activist, Teens Take Charge
• Joseph Kerski, MD, Geographer, Manager, Esri Education

Building Sustainably

January 13th, 2022 5-6pm ET

• Suman Gidwani, Co-Founder, EnergyGrade
• Jonathan Lane, Vice President of Infrastructure Innovation, NYC Economic Development Corporation

Sustainable Transport and Mobility

January 6th, 2022 5-6pm ET

• Stacey Matlen, Director of Innovation Programs, Partnership for NYC
• Lauren Rennee, Senior Project Manager, NYC DOT's Bicycle Unit"

The Science of Air Quality

December 16, 2021 5-6pm ET

• Madee Ku, PE, Product Advocate, Temboo
• Darren Riley, CEO & Founder, JustAir

Afterlife of Waste

December 2, 2021 5-6pm ET

• Dr. Samantha MacBride, Section Chief, Research and Optimization, Bureau of Wastewater Treatment, NYC Department of Environmental Protection
• Sashti Balasundaram, Founder, WeRadiate

Sustainable Food Production

November 18, 2021 5-6pm ET

• Tinia Pina, Founder & CEO, Re-Nuble
• Reilly Cooper, Microbial Ecologist, Upward Farm

Renewable Energy

November 11, 2021 5-6pm ET

• Amanda Colombo, Project Development Analyst, Safari Energy
• Obste Therasme, Assistant Professor, SUNY ESF

The role of robotics and automation in vaccine development

May 11, 2021, 4-5PM ET

• Alexi Palmer, MHSc, Senior Associate Scientist, Pfizer
• Dominique Prophete, Associate Scientist, Pfizer

How research in cells and animals lead can lead to therapeutics for humans

March 31, 2021, 4-5PM ET

• Jian An, PhD, Senior Scientist, Pfizer
• Cyndi Pinkus, Scientist, Pfizer

Drug Development for Metabolic and Rare Diseases

February 25, 2021; 4-5PM ET

• Allan Reyes, Principal Scientist, Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer
• Alexandra Srnka, Senior Associate Scientist working in the Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer

How Drug Development and Clinical Trials Really Work

December 16, 2020; 4-5PM ET

• Jyoti Ramakrisha, MD, MPH, Director of Clinical Research, Pfizer
• Aarti Sawant Basak, PhD, Associate Director of Clinical Pharmacology, Pfizer

Journeys to Working in the Pharmaceutical Industry

December 1, 2020; 4-5PM ET

• Seng H. Cheng, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of the Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer
• Monica Schenone, PhD, Lead for the East Coast Chemical Biology Group, Pfizer