Stony Brook’s Department of Anesthesiology sponsored the 17th Annual Science and Research Awareness Series (SARAS) — a three-week lecture and workshop series that took place July 5-23 for high school and undergraduate students that is designed to heighten awareness of basic, clinical and translational sciences and associated specialties in the biomedical field.
Every year 130 students from all over the country and some international students attend SARAS. This year, following COVID safety guidelines, 65 students were accepted into the program. Most of the students were from Suffolk and Nassau, with a few from Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan. Also, some out-of-state students stayed in local hotels and attended SARAS.
Scientists, physicians, allied health professionals, health administrators and other experts — mainly from Stony Brook Medicine — taught students about different topics, specialties and also laboratory and clinical techniques. Interaction between these experts and the students enhanced the educational experience and gave the students insights into topics and careers in biomedical science.
Every possible precaution was taken to organize this year’s in-person SARAS following COVID safety guidelines. Students were divided into cohorts and all successfully completed the program.
“It was extremely challenging to organize an in-person program this year due to COVID restrictions,” said SARAS Coordinator Srinivas Pentyala, Professor and Director of Translational Research in Anesthesiology. “It is the commitment of the faculty and staff that made 2021 SARAS a reality. We are receiving feedback from students and parents informing us about how enriching and exciting the in-person 2021 SARAS experience was, even though several restrictions were imposed. As far as we know, our SBU-SARAS was the only in-person biomedical summer program that was organized in the country.”
SARAS program details, feedback, photos and videos can be found on the SARAS website.
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