ASPiRE encompasses experiential and didactic research education, professional development coaching, academic success coaching and tiered mentorship to produce future scientists and physician scientists who will thrive and persist in academia. ASPiRE is an educational grant awarded by the National Institute of Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health.
Message from the Program Directors of ASPiRE:
Welcome to the ASPiRE Program at Weill Cornell Medicine. At the heart of our mission is recognizing that access to scientific careers in biomedicine are not uniform for different communities across our society. We are delighted to utilized this platform available to enhance access to the biomedical sciences to aspiring scientists and physician scientists from all backgrounds including those who are the first in their family to attend college, have faced socioeconomic disadvantages, come from under-resourced educational backgrounds, or bring lived/chosen experiences that reflect a strong commitment to underserved communities. We also value the resilience of individuals who have overcome significant challenges in pursuit of higher education. All candidates who identify with these experiences are encouraged to apply. We are passionate about promoting science identity and professional self-efficacy. This program aligns well with our personal and professional goals, as well as our commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists and physician-scientists. It is with great enthusiasm that we lead this impactful program, working alongside established and future biomedical researchers who will shape the landscape of scientific discovery. We extend a warm welcome to those who share our commitment and encourage you to explore the possibilities within the ASPiRE Program. Your interest and application are vital to the success of our mission, and we express heartfelt gratitude to everyone working to ensure the program's continued success.
Joy Howell, MD, PD/PI (Contact)
Dr. Howell is a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Department of Pediatrics at the Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM). In Addition, she serves as the Vice Chair for Academic Opportunity and Engagement Pediatrics and Assistant Dean for Access, Belonging and Student Success at the WCM. In this latter role she is the Director of the WCM Summer Research Fellowship, the institution’s first and oldest pipeline program. She is uniquely suited to serve as the lead PD/PI for this project as she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience undergraduate and graduate medical education (UME and GME) education and professional development to this project.
Genevieve Fouda, MD, PhD, PD/PI and Mentor
Dr. Fouda is a Professor of Pediatrics with tenure at the Department of Pediatrics at the Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM). In Addition, she is the Director for Basic Science Mentoring, within the Department of Pediatrics, and the Assistant Dean of Faculty at WCM. Dr. Fouda is a well-established, NIH funded researcher with long-standing interest and expertise in mentoring and professional development of junior investigators. She collaborates with the rest of the team and is also one of the Mentors. Her area of scientific inquiry is virology, specifically HIV.
Dr. Carrasco is the Assistant Dean for Access, Belonging and Student Success at the Weill Cornell Graduate School, Co-Director of the Weill Cornell Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD), and the Director of the Advancing Cornell Career Experiences for Science Students (ACCESS) undergraduate summer program. Dr. Carrasco brings many years of experience designing, developing, implementing and supporting educational programs at the undergraduate, postbaccalaureate and graduate level, including recruitment.
