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Simons STEM Scholars Program
HomeSimons Scholar ProfileSimons Scholars Profile - Samara Hayes

SamaraHayes

Image of Samara Hayes

Cohort 1

Hometown: Sunnyside Queens, NY

Major: Biology

Year: Sophomore

High School: NYC iSchool

Biography:

Samara plans on studying marine biology, immunology and cell biology, anthropology, neuroscience, evolution and ecology in their time at Stony Brook. In their free time, Samara likes to learn new hobbies, crochet for friends and family, watch nature documentaries, play video games, read thriller or sci-fi fiction books and color. Before becoming a Simons STEM Scholar, Samara participated in the Cooper Union Summer STEM Program where they worked on Medicine and Machine Learning while learning the basics of engineering and design. Samara is most excited about learning new things and finding a community and projects that they are passionate about.

Leading the Future:

“I envision myself being a leader in helping with solving the discrimination of minority groups, specifically hispanics and latinos, in medical fields and helping developing countries with medical care. I also envision myself being a leader in assisting the climate crisis, especially more focused on how we could help the damage that has been done to our oceans due to pollution, which will ultimately help with the climate crisis.”

Why did you become a Simons STEM Scholar?:

“I chose to become a Simons STEM Scholar because I want future mixed-raced children to know that they have the ability to change our society and help the people in our communities be heard and seen, I also became a Simons STEM Scholar to learn and gain knowledge from other scholars who I look up to.”

What would you say to someone who is applying?:

“You have to be willing to accept change, development, and help from others. Be willing to fail and get up as many times as you need to, to reach your goals and get the most out of what is given to you and your cohort.”

Research Experiences:

Summer 2024 -  Stony Brook University under Dr. Robert Thatcher on "Microbiome Divergence among Three Species of Amphimedon (Porifera)"