MAKING THEIR MARK IN STEM

From in-class experiments to independent lab work to the annual science fair, our rigorous and engaging science curriculum teaches students to understand and apply the scientific method while also drawing connections between concepts and different career paths. The result? Graduates who are well-equipped to read, write, and think like scientists — many of them with dreams of pursuing a career in a STEM-related field. We caught up with a few alumni to hear how they are making their mark in STEM.

Jade Morton-Alexander ’16

Now in her junior year at Tufts University, biology major Jade Morton-Alexander ’16 is happily diving into more intensive courses. “Junior year is hard and hectic, but it’s really fun,” she says. “I’m starting to take smaller, more difficult classes for my major that go into depth on topics that interest me. Endocrinology was one of my favorites. I learned about hormones and the way they work in the body.”

Jade first discovered her love of science at Harlem Academy. “Going to school there made me more confident in myself as a learner and thinker,” says Jade. Class experiments, challenging lab work, and field trips that let her work alongside professional scientists piqued Jade’s interest and nurtured her innate curiosity.

It wasn’t surprising that she arrived at college ready to take on a variety of science-based roles. Jade has been a member of a Tufts lab team for two years and is currently working on an independent project researching chemotherapy delivery systems. “The project tests silk microneedle patches intended to selfadminister cancer drugs, and I get to work on it on my own for the entire year,” she says.

In addition to her lab work, Jade volunteers at Tufts Medical Center, shadows doctors at Tufts Nephrology Center, and is a member of the Tufts Biology Research Club. She’s also a consultant with Project HEAR, a youth activism project that helps refugees and immigrants access healthcare. “Giving back is important to me because I have been given so many opportunities, and I want to do that for others.”

Jade’s goal of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon is still on track, but she plans to take a gap year before pursuing an M.D. “I think I’ll take a bit of a break and work as a medical scribe or in a lab before going to med school,” she says. In the meantime, she’s in prep mode, studying hard for the MCAT and researching different medical schools — with New York University at the top of her list. “There aren’t many African American cardiovascular surgeons. Even fewer are Black women. I want to add to those numbers.”

Joel Mentor ’13

Since graduating from Salve Regina University in 2021, Joel Mentor ’13 has been pursuing a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA) at his alma mater. ABA uses observation, data collection, and analysis to inform treatment. “The goal of ABA is to promote independence and autonomy for people with developmental disabilities,” says Joel. “It’s work that is necessary to change lives for the better. I’ve always felt a desire to help people, and this work does that.”

With his graduate studies coming to an end this summer, Joel is looking forward to what lies ahead: becoming licensed as a board-certified behavior analyst and helping children with developmental disabilities, such as autism and ADHD, lead productive lives.

He’s well on his way. In addition to attending graduate school, Joel is also a supervising ABA therapist at Manhattan Psychology Group, which provides services to children, adolescents, and adults in New York City. “Part of my job involves working one-on-one with clients in their homes,” says Joel, whose role also enables him to earn hours toward his state licensure. “I feel the most fulfilled when a client understands something they struggled with previously or when they are able to do something we’ve been working on without a prompt from me. The changes are often small, but they can be revolutionary for the client.”

Joel’s journey to a career in behavioral science is rooted in his experiences at Harlem Academy. Our challenging curriculum readied him for secondary school, college, and beyond, and the values he learned as a student here nurtured his empathetic nature. “Harlem Academy was a great base for me to continue building my education and my character,” says Joel. “The pillar of determination, especially, reminds me to keep going and to have grit in the face of life’s obstacles.” Now, he helps to foster that same resolve in others.

Malcolm Urena ’20

Last summer, Malcolm Urena ’20, a junior at Brookline High School, worked as a youth crew member at The Food Project, a nonprofit in Massachusetts that helps to alleviate hunger by growing and distributing produce. “Our current food system is failing lower-income communities, and I wanted to learn more about it,” says Malcolm, whose family moved to the state three years ago.

Malcolm spent most of his time weeding, planting seeds, and harvesting crops and got to see the science behind agriculture firsthand. He also experienced the rewards of helping his community. The combination of science and helping others is what spurred him to participate in the Boston Children’s Hospital STEM program.

Although held virtually due to COVID-19, the weeklong program offered a snapshot into STEM fields. “I joined the program because I wanted to learn about different careers in STEM, such as nursing and computer science,” says Malcolm, who was immediately drawn to nursing. “In that particular workshop, we learned what a normal day looks like. Nurses can work 12-hour shifts taking care of patients, collecting blood, and much more. That aspect of taking care of people is what really interests me.”

With college right around the corner, Malcolm is focused on preparing for that next step. Front of mind now is continuing to excel in his current classes, serving as director of finance for his high school’s Black Student Union, and volunteering at Brookline Thrives, a nonprofit that provides food to children in need. “Harlem Academy prepared me to take on challenges, and the support I gained there allowed me to push myself in high school,” he says. He plans to do the same in college. And thanks to his experience in the STEM program, he’s now considering nursing as his career.

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