New generation explores careers in medicine, research

The development of the next generation of scientists, physicians, and health care professionals is an important focus of UB’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). To that end, the CTSI Community Engagement Core recently hosted a group of students from Buffalo Health Sciences Charter School for an educational and fun visit to the Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC) on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. 

Timothy F. Murphy, SUNY Distinguished Professor and CTSI director, moderated a panel of clinical and translational research professionals, including a nurse, a public health expert, a physician, a pharmacist and a communications specialist. The panelists discussed their career journeys and answered questions.

“The students were completely engaged and asked insightful questions about panelists’ motivations, their frustrations, their training and what drew them to their career choices,” Murphy says. “The experience left me encouraged for our prospects to develop and grow our health care and research workforce from our community. Events like these can be influential and motivate students to choose career paths in research.”

Following the panel, the students worked on hands-on activities while also taking a tour of the CTRC. Diamonique Pettway, a work-based learning teacher at the charter school, says the visit provided real insights into the different types of jobs available in medical research.

“Many of our scholars have shown great interest in careers in medicine and health care,” Pettway says. “That is why it is so important to connect them with opportunities like this one with UB.”

Pettway says the students were greatly impacted by the visit. “Our scholars loved the event. They left with so much information and insight on what is being offered, and even made some wonderful connections.”