About 

The Mount Sinai Summer Research Program for Science Teachers was founded in 1990 by Dr. Samuel C. Silverstein and has traditionally been housed at Columbia University. In 2023, the program expanded to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and is currently accepting applications for the summer of 2026.

The program provides hands-on laboratory and didactic professional development experiences for experienced (2-3+ years of teaching middle or high school) science teachers of all areas of the life and physical sciences (e.g., biology, AP biology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, genetics, health, chemistry, computer science, earth science, physics, AP chemistry, AP physics, etc.). Participants of the program spend 7-8 weeks per summer, for two consecutive summers, interning in a scientific laboratory at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Participants gain hands-on research experience, mentored by Mount Sinai faculty members, and the opportunity to fully immerse oneself in the research enterprise by attending lab meetings, department seminars, and internal conferences.

Additionally, the program includes professional development exercises led by scientists across several NYC academic institutions on topics of broad general interest (biomedical research discoveries, youth mental health, technology in the classroom, data driven instruction, construction and classroom use of virtual and physical models, field trips, etc.). In the Program’s final week, Fellows present the results of their research in poster and short talk formats.

Compensation includes $4,500 per summer, with an additional $1000 stipend for classroom supplies.

The program and its impact on teachers and their students is described in detail in the Science Magazine report “Teachers’ Participation in Research Programs Improves Their Students’ Achievement in Science

Read about how the Friedman Brain Institute’s labs hosted three New York City teachers.

Program Directors

Carol Gregorio, PhD
carol.gregorio@mssm.edu

Denise Croote, PhD
denise.croote@mssm.edu

Mentoring labs

Dong Lab

Goosens Lab

Horton Lab

Rajbhandari Lab

Past Mentoring Labs

Blanchard Lab

Hurd Lab

Program Outline

Laboratory Experiences

Teachers spend the majority their summer experiences interning in a scientific laboratory at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, conducting cutting edge biomedical research alongside Mount Sinai faculty members and trainees. At the end of the summer, first year teachers present their work via a poster presentation and second year teachers present their research via a verbal presentation at the program’s End of Summer Symposium.

Professional Development Days

The program includes professional development exercises led by scientists across several NYC academic institutions on topics of broad general interest (biomedical research discoveries, youth mental health, technology in the classroom, data driven instruction, construction and classroom use of virtual and physical models, field trips, etc.).

View the 2026 program

View the 2025 program

View the 2024 program

Teacher Cohorts

2026 – 2027 Cohort 

Bryan Oyuela Middle and High School Science Teacher (All City Leadership Secondary School) Lab placement: Goosens Lab

Kevin Siegel High School Teacher (KIPP NYC College Prep) Lab placement: Rajbhandari Lab

Geraldo Medor Middle School Science Teacher (JHS 291 Roland Hayes) Lab placement: Horton Lab

2025 – 2026 Cohort 

Mariya Collins Middle School Science Teacher (The Clinton School) Lab placement: Kim Lab

Jonathan Bekoe High School Chemistry Teacher (Marie Curie High School) Lab placement: Dong Lab

2024 – 2025 Cohort

Christine Chan (ReStart Academy) Lab placement: Hurd Lab

Elsa Rosario (Rachel Carson Intermediate School 237Q) Lab placement: Blanchard Lab

2023 – 2024 Cohort

Kathy Pham (Bard High School Early College Queens) Lab placement: Dong Lab

FEATURED ARTICLE |
How Did These New York City Teachers Spend Their Summer? In Mount Sinai Labs, Improving Their Science and Teaching Skills

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