Stony Brook EOP Students Showcase Summer STEM Research at Statewide SUNY Symposium

Stony Brook University is celebrating the achievements of students in the SUNY Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) who participated in the STEM Summer Research Program. The experience culminated in a statewide symposium at SUNY System Administration in Albany, where students presented the results of faculty-mentored research conducted throughout the summer.

As one of eight SUNY campuses selected to host the STEM Summer Research Program, Stony Brook welcomed EOP students for an immersive summer research experience designed to expand access to hands-on learning and prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.

"SUNY is committed to expanding access to internships that empower our students to explore career paths that interest them," said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. "The Educational Opportunity Program has made higher education more accessible for thousands of New Yorkers, and we are proud to continue to open the doors to upward mobility and success through initiatives like our undergraduate summer research programs. These programs provide our EOP students with vital opportunities to work with SUNY's outstanding faculty to advance our research excellence while also preparing them for their future careers."

The STEM Summer Research Program targets students pursuing or exploring careers in science, technology, engineering and math. This year's program involved 42 students - up from 19 students last summer - 17 faculty and eight different SUNY campuses including the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

The program consists of three different areas, including a six-week STEM research program in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and psychology, a nine-week STEM research program in computer science, information technology, and imaging, and a 10-week STEM research program for students interested in pre-med. Students enrolled in the STEM research programs participated in daily lab or field work with faculty and research staff, as well as community building and professional development activities.

"The SUNY Summer Research Program for EOP scholars exemplifies the power of collaboration across the SUNY system," said Pamela Matzner, director of the Educational Opportunity Program at Stony Brook University. "It was incredibly rewarding to see our Stony Brook EOP students gain hands-on research experience at other SUNY campuses while also welcoming EOP students from across the state to conduct research at Stony Brook. We love showcasing the talent, curiosity, and potential of our students, and access to these opportunities broaden perspectives, build confidence and foster meaningful collaborations that prepare the next generation of researchers and leaders."

The STEM Summer Research Program is one of two undergraduate summer research initiatives offered through SUNY's Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program. It has been one of the nation's leading college access initiatives since its founding in 1967, providing academic support, mentoring, and financial assistance to students from low-income backgrounds, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. Together with the Liberal Arts Summer Research Program, the initiatives provide EOP students with meaningful opportunities to explore careers in research while developing critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills.

The symposium brought together more than 60 student researchers from across New York State to present projects completed during the summer under the mentorship of SUNY faculty and research staff.

SUNY's long-term goal is for every undergraduate student to complete a paid internship or other experiential learning opportunity before graduation. These summer research experiences help advance that vision by providing EOP students with high-impact learning opportunities that strengthen academic achievement and career readiness.

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "The Educational Opportunity Program has enabled students throughout New York State to pursue their dreams. Thanks to the support of Governor Hochul and the State Legislature, SUNY can invest in programs that provide our EOP students with vital opportunities to participate in hands-on learning opportunities and gain real-world career skills."

Stony Brook's participation reflects the University's longstanding commitment to expanding access to experiential learning and research opportunities for students from historically underrepresented and first-generation backgrounds.