As eleventh-graders at Brooklyn International High School, Nibh Uddin and Gradjola “Gladi” Hazizaj have studied Nobel Laureates, and earlier this month, they had the chance to interview one.
The students were selected by the World Science Festival to participate in its annual Pioneers of Science Event, at which teens are asked to study the work of well-known scientists and then interview them on a stage in front of science enthusiasts.
Uddin and Hazizaj interviewed Dr. Harold Varmus, a cancer researcher and president of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. On a stage at the New School’s Tishman Auditorium, the aspiring scientists asked Dr. Varmus about his research and his predictions for the future.
“What can genetics do or what do you expect science to do in the next three to four decades?” Uddin asked.
Dr. Varmus said geneticists always try to expand their knowledge, and said he is looking to the next generation of scientists to build on what he has discovered.
“I wasn’t nervous once I walked out on the stage,” Uddin said of the experience.
“I had so much fun,” Hazizaj added.
The duo (pictured above: photo by Paul Reuter) came to the New School well prepared. They studied Dr. Varmus’ research at school and they visited the Dolan Harlem DNA Lab where they performed a bacterial transformation experiment to better understand Dr. Varmus’ lab techniques. The students also conducted practice interviews with peers from Brooklyn Technical High School and the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics.
“My favorite part of all was when the other students and I were sitting in the green room back stage waiting for the show to begin,” Uddin said. “I think one of the best things about being a Pioneer participant is that I found some really good friends.”