Diversity was essential to the formation and success of our team. Through connecting students from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, we were able to form a body of highly motivated students each with unique contributions. Our different disciplines and skill sets promoted our creativity, innovation, and offered multiple ways to tackle problems at hand.
Our team had an open application, welcoming all students to apply for our team. Through informational sessions and detailed descriptions in the application, transparency ensured that all applicants were aware of expectations. Our selection process included initial written applications with the same questions to learn more about student academic backgrounds and research interests. The criteria used to select potential candidates were holistic, to ensure that every participant had an opportunity to join. Interviews for potential candidates were conducted by our preceding team, who hand selected candidates based on their skill sets, eagerness to contribute, and overall ability to work with others collaboratively. During interviews, the same set of questions were used for consistency. Overall, the aim was to assess every student on an equal basis.
Our team includes rising sophomores to rising seniors at the time our members were accepted. We had a wide array of research experiences, ranging from no research experience to years of experience in computational biology, bioinformatics, and clinical research labs. To highlight our varied academic backgrounds, members are majoring in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Biology (Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary, and Quantitative), Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, Environmental Studies, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, and Computer Science and Engineering. Some members are minoring in Women Studies, Health, Medicine, and Society, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, and Physics. Members of our team are also in specialized programs such as the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), University Scholars Honors, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Honors, and the BS/MD Program.
Just as our team comprises an expansive range of research experience and majors, it includes members from different cultural backgrounds, religions, gender identities, and sexualities. Members are primarily first-generation and second-generation immigrants from various parts of the world (Pakistan, Botswana, Sri Lanka, China, India, and Nigeria) and come from different regions of the US, ranging from the Midwest and Deep South to New England. Our team is primarily composed of racial minority populations and individuals who identify as female, and includes several members who identify as LGBTQ+. In the same way our vastly different academic backgrounds provide a wide range of skills to aid us in the completion of our research project, our demographic diversity has provided us with different life experiences which expand the perspective of our team and make us stronger.
Our iGEM Team participated in meeting with other iGEM teams to foster international collaboration and exchange knowledge within the synthetic biology community. By engaging with teams from diverse cultural, academic, and technical backgrounds, we expanded our understanding of how synthetic biology is applied worldwide and identified potential areas for future collaboration. The thematic focuses (SDGs and industrial translation) allowed participants to connect real-world impact, reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary problem-solving and global awareness in synthetic biology education. It was a great opportunity for members of our team to understand the pressing issues in other nations which student researchers are inspired to find solutions for.
As a team representing many identities and interests, we strive to engage with communities we support and belong to. Several of our members identify as LGBTQ+, and this year, five of our teammates participated in the 2025 New York City Pride Parade, joining over two million attendees who filled the streets of Manhattan in celebration of a history of efforts for love, diversity, and equality.
Throughout the parade, our team members spoke with over 100 attendees to promote HIV awareness and open conversations about the importance of education and scientific innovation in public health. To further engage with the community, we designed a Pride-themed photo frame for attendees to take pictures with, which was featured in a social media post celebrating Pride Month and reaffirming our team’s commitment to inclusivity and advocacy within science.
Our team strove to make science accessible to everyone regardless of age, background, or prior experience. We believe that fostering inclusivity in STEM begins with education, and that every individual deserves the opportunity to understand, question, and contribute to scientific progress.
To achieve this, we engaged with audiences spanning all stages of education: from preschoolers to elementary and high school students, to university peers and beyond. For each group, we developed tailored lessons, presentations, and activities that aligned with their level of understanding. When introducing complex ideas such as gene expression or molecular biology to younger audiences, we used storytelling and analogies to make abstract processes relevant and understandable. For example, our children’s book, ACTG’s of Biology, explained the central dogma through simple language and illustrations that preschool and elementary students could relate to.
We also worked to ensure that our outreach extended beyond the classroom. Through community events such as Bethpage High School Research Symposia, introductory research programs at Brentwood High School, university welcome events, and Makers Faire, we created opportunities for students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds to learn about synthetic biology and its real-world applications. For each event, we adapted our materials and language to meet the needs of our audience, whether that meant simplifying technical terms for beginners or emphasizing interdisciplinary connections and real-world applications for advanced students.
Our social media presence further expanded our educational reach to a national and international audience. Educational short videos and infographics created by our team reached over 135,000 viewers, sparking curiosity and engagement across age groups and regions. Through these efforts, we aimed not only to share knowledge but to empower people to engage with the scientific community.
We recognize that inclusivity in science means more than just participation, it means creating a welcoming environment where all voices are heard and valued. By broadening access to scientific education and communication, we hope to reduce barriers to entry and inspire the next generation of scientists, innovators, and thinkers who reflect the diversity of our world.
To further our commitment to inclusivity, our team sought to expand access to research for students from underrepresented backgrounds. We partnered with the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), a State Education Department funded program that aims to support economically disadvantaged and underserved students whose passion aligns in the STEM field. Through this collaboration, we hoped to provide every student, regardless of their background, the opportunity to explore science and recognize that we are here to guide and support them as they pursue their future careers. We also strived to create a supportive environment where students can connect with our team, ask questions, and learn about science without feeling out of place. By fostering a safe space that welcomes all open-minded individuals, we hope to show that diversity is essential to shaping a more inclusive future.
As a predominantly female-identifying team, we partnered with the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Honors Program to promote inclusivity and accessibility in scientific research. Together, we aimed to empower university students, particularly women and underrepresented minorities in STEM, by introducing them to essential lab safety practices, experimental procedures, and fundamental research techniques.
Through this collaboration, we also shared pathways for students to engage with iGEM and explore the field of synthetic biology, many for the first time. The WISE program’s mission to create equitable opportunities in STEM aligns closely with our team’s commitment to making research environments welcoming and inclusive. By encouraging students from all backgrounds to participate in research, we strive to foster a community where diversity of experience and identity strengthens innovation and scientific discovery.