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STEM Perspectives

The K-12 STEM Center follows all University guidelines for protecting students, families, teachers, and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and USC reopening attempts. Learn More.

***STEM Perspectives will no longer be offered and future updates will be posted on the page.***

STEM Perspectives is a USC student-led 6-8 week program that provides high school students with the opportunity to explore different “perspectives” in STEM not usually taught in their classrooms. Outside of the subject taught, the program features guest speakers who expose students to other STEM-related fields and careers. The leadership, team work, communication, and research skills taught in this program help students apply these skills to formulate a better plan for their future goals and careers.

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Program Design

    • Discontinued until further notice.


    The program was piloted in the Fall of 2020 and encourages participants from any high school through a fully virtual environment by using Zoom as the main platform for
    communication.

    Students attend weekly sessions and complete projects that teach them skills in scientific research and public speaking.

    This program provides the unique opportunity for close mentorship among USC Neuroscience student instructors and collaboration among students.

    Students gain access to various guest speaker presentations with different backgrounds in STEM related fields.


    • “My favorite part about the program was exploring careers in STEM, having a better
      understanding of neuroscience, and learning information I didn't know about the brain
      before”

    • “I liked that it was made to feel like a little family and it really opened my eyes to a possible career in the future that I had never even thought of.”

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    Founder and Previous Director

    Program Creator and Director

    Hi I’m Rojan,
    I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with a minor in Piano Performance. I created STEM Perspectives to provide students the opportunity to explore topics not normally accessible in a classroom setting, and to collaborate with professionals in the STEM field. I encourage students to learn about research methodology since it is an important aspect of any career. My current research is focused on Alzheimer’s Disease at Gerontology Pike Lab to identify risk factors in relation to sex differences and genotypes. In my free time, I enjoy performing in piano festivals, reading, and painting.

    Rojan Javaheri

    Our Staff

    Program Coordinator (naksi@usc.edu)

    Hi I’m Sumiya,
    I’m a junior majoring in Neuroscience. I’m involved in Trojan Event Services, Trojan Adventuring Party, and STEM Perspectives on campus. Fun fact, I used to be a student in the STEM Perspectives Neuroscience program when I was in high school. I was a TA for this program last year and enjoyed teaching what I have learned and got promoted to Coordinator.

    Sumiya Naksi

    Past Volunteers

    hnmurray@usc.edu

    Hi I'm Haylie! I am a freshman at USC majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in German. I am passionate about research and aim to get my PhD in the future. Developmental disorders are particularly interesting to me and I have experience working in the lab researching fetal hydrocephalus. In my free time, I enjoy painting, going for picnics, and cooking/baking. ”

    Haylie Murray
    ireed@usc.edu

    Isabel is from Portland and hopes to become a doctor. She is a senior at USC studying neuroscience with a minor in forensics and criminality. Her research studies motor development and examines early intervention for infants with or at risk for developmental delays. She loves reading, trying out new recipes, and searching for the best cafe in Los Angeles.

    Isabel Reed
    avdejesu@usc.edu

    Hi I’m Alethea de Jesus,
    I’m a senior majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in The Dynamics of Early Childhood. I joined the STEM Perspectives program because it grants me the opportunity to serve others through my two passions–science and teaching! My current research focuses on air pollution effects on adolescent brain development with the Herting Lab at USC

    ALETHEA DE JESUS