STEM Summit: Where Science Gets Personal

On May 1st, students from across Los Angeles came together with Math and Science College Preparatory for the STEM Summit, hosted by BCLA in partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific. From the morning through the afternoon, the space was filled with curiosity, honest conversation, and the kind of energy that only happens when young people realize the path ahead of them is wider than they thought.

The day brought together researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals who came not just to present their work, but to share themselves, their detours, their doubts, and the moments that changed everything. What emerged was less a formal program and more a series of real conversations about what it actually looks like to build a life in science.

The summit opened with a keynote presentation from Dr. D'Juan Farmer, Assistant Professor at UCLA, whose story deeply resonated with students throughout the room.

Raised in Compton and a product of the California Academy of Mathematics and Science, Dr. Farmer arrived at UCLA by way of an admissions rejection and then a successful appeal. He commuted two hours each way by bus. He was one of two Latino bioengineering students in his class. And he walked into his first year already convinced he would become an oncologist.What changed him was research. Once he joined a lab, he found something he had not expected: joy. The daily process of designing experiments, sitting with questions, and slowly building knowledge from the ground up turned out to be exactly what he was looking for, even though he had not known to look for it. His path moved from UCLA to the National Institutes of Health, then to UCSF for his PhD, then to USC for his postdoctoral work, and finally back home to a faculty position at UCLA, where he now studies how the bones of the skull develop and grow, using zebrafish as a model.

His message was not that students should follow his exact route. It was the opposite. "Find inspiration in others," he told the room, "but don't compare yourself to others and run your own race." He encouraged students to stay flexible, to pay attention to what actually gives them energy, and to understand that the version of success they imagine at seventeen is often a placeholder for something richer they have not yet discovered.

Martín Alcaraz Jr., Ph.D. (Cedars-Sinai), spoke about his research on sex differences in cancer and how personal experiences helped shape his passion for scientific research and discovery. Growing up in East Los Angeles, he encouraged students to pursue opportunities confidently Martín Alcaraz Jr., Ph.D. (Cedars-Sinai), spoke about his research on sex differences in cancer and how personal experiences helped shape his passion for scientific research and discovery. Growing up in East Los Angeles, he encouraged students to pursue opportunities confidently and reminded them that mentorship and representation in STEM truly matter.

Mykel Barrett, a researcher and dedicated mentor at UCLA, shared how early mentorship played a major role in shaping his interest in biology and science. He encouraged students to stay curious, seek out mentors, and remain open to learning experiences both inside and Mykel Barrett, a researcher and dedicated mentor at UCLA, shared how early mentorship played a major role in shaping his interest in biology and science. He encouraged students to stay curious, seek out mentors, and remain open to learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

Dr. Arissa Young (UCLA), a rheumatologist and PhD student, offered students insight into balancing clinical medicine with scientific research. She discussed her passion for understanding autoimmune diseases through both patient care and research, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and lifelong learning within medicine.

Sarah McLeod (Thermo Fisher Scientific), Director of Customer Experience, shared her journey through industry and highlighted the value of adaptability, persistence, and professional growth across different career stages. Drawing from decades of experience, she encouraged students to stay open to unexpected opportunities and continue developing skills that can transfer across multiple career paths.

Throughout the discussion, students heard honest conversations about mentorship, representation in STEM, navigating career pathways, and the many different ways a future in science can take shape.

During the Q&A session, students asked thoughtful questions about the many different paths within STEM — from careers that combine sports and biology to the importance of wet lab skills, mentorship, and finding research opportunities while still in high school.

Rather than offering broad advice, the speakers shared practical and personal guidance rooted in their own experiences. Dr. Alcaraz encouraged students to actively search for local research programs at institutions such as USC, UCLA, Caltech, and City of Hope, emphasizing that opportunities often begin with simply reaching out. He reminded students not to be afraid to introduce themselves, ask questions, and advocate for their goals, especially as first-generation or underrepresented students pursuing careers in science.

Dr. Farmer reinforced a similar message throughout the day, sharing how persistence and initiative played a major role in shaping his own journey. From cold-emailing professors to seeking out opportunities beyond the classroom, he emphasized that even a single connection or opportunity can completely change the trajectory of a career.

Across every conversation, several themes consistently emerged: the importance of mentorship, the value of transferable skills, and the power of community. Speakers highlighted that skills developed through research — such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and persistence — extend far beyond any single discipline or career path. Just as importantly, many reflected on the mentors, teachers, and communities that helped open doors for them along the way.

For many students in the room, seeing professionals who shared similar backgrounds and experiences made the conversations especially meaningful. The panel reinforced an important message throughout the summit: identity, background, and lived experiences are not barriers to success in STEM, but often part of what makes each perspective valuable within these spaces.

The afternoon ended with lunch, a group photo, and a workshop led by Zach Kowzic, giving students even more opportunities to connect with both professionals and peers beyond the panel discussions.More than anything, the STEM Summit was designed not only to inspire students, but to help them envision tangible pathways into science, medicine, research, and biotechnology.

BCLA extends its sincere thanks to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening so engaging and impactful. We are especially grateful to our core sponsors, Amgen, Teknova, LA BioSpace, and Magnify at CNSI, and to our main event sponsor, Thermo Fisher Scientific, for their support in making this event possible.

We look forward to continuing to create spaces where the next generation of scientists can connect, learn, and see themselves in the work.