The International Young Researchers' Conference was founded in 2018 as a platform for high school students to share their research projects with the community. Since then, the organization has expanded to include not only research, but also community projects, global health narratives, case study competitions, and student-led programming. The IYRC is an independent public benefit incorporation in Japan, but we work with students from over twenty countries. Our program would not be possible without the generous support of our university partners, high school leaders, and reviewers.
IYRC Founder and Director
Paul M. LewisHarvard College | A.B.
Columbia University VP&S | MD,MS Candidate |
Paul M. Lewis is a Medical Student at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons pursuing a dual M.D., M.S. degree. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College where he concentrated in Neurobiology with a secondary in Global Health and Health Policy. He has experience in diverse areas of global and public health having served as the Director of a program for underprivileged Native American youth, the President of a peer education group to promote holistic wellness, and the Community Education Chair of a drug and alcohol education group. Paul is the Founder of Harvard College VISION Global Health Society and the Global Health and Leadership Conference. He was a recipient of the Finley Fellowship from Harvard to spend a postgraduate year in Japan to learn about end-of-life care. While there, he helped found the International Young Researchers' Conference. Afterwards, he worked as a TMS Therapy Clinician at Dignity Brain Health to treat patients with Major Depressive Disorder. At Columbia University, he is the founder of the Medicine and Research Summer Program, the International Young Researchers' Conference (IYRC) , and the ACComPLISHED CHW program. He is currently on a research year as a Dean’s Research Fellow and Rubin Scholar working with Dr. James Noble and Dr. Olajide Williams on the ACComPLISHED CHW program. He has been teaching and mentoring students for 8 years, some of whom are PTFs for the program. He looks forward to teaching you. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmatthewlewis Columbia ACComPLISHED Presentations Columbia VP&S Student Research Day 2nd place https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/vp-s-students-honored-research-achievements-0 ACComPLISHED Community Health Program www.neurology.columbia.edu/education/additional-educational-programs/adolescents-caring-community-promoting-literacy-insurance-stroke-health-education-emergencies-and-dementia-accomplished/leadership-team Dr. James Noble: https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/research/research-labs/james-m-noble-md-ms-cph-faan#:~:text=2023%2D24%20Adolescents,4th%20year%20student American Medical Student Association Honorable Mention Building Trust: https://buildingtrust.org/author/paullewis/ www.vagelos.columbia.edu/about-us/columbia-medicine-magazine/web-extras/fall-2022-e-news-about-and-alumni Student Research Day 2022: https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/columbia-medical-students-recognized-research#:~:text=Medical%20student%20Paul%20Lewis Columbia Global Health IYRC Conference: https://www.pgh.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/2021-international-young-researchers-conference Harvard Transcript Project winner: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/04/theres-more-to-harvard-than-grades-transcript-project-shows/ Harvard Flu Vaccines and Berry Breaks https://www.thecrimson.com/image/2016/10/26/berry-study-break/ Harvard Livingstone Lab https://livingstone.hms.harvard.edu/people/paul-lewis |
The team
Paul LewisDIRECTOR AND FOUNDER 2018-Present Harvard College A.B. Columbia VP&S M.D., M.S. Candidate Paul Lewis is the Founder and Director of the IYRC. He designs, plans, and coordinates all of IYRC's initiatives. |
Neil NguyenDIRECTOR AND FOUNDER 2018-Present U.C. Berkely B.S. The University of Tokyo M.A. Neil Nguyen is the Founder and Director of the IYRC. He organizes operations and finances. |
Hannah pescaruCOORDINATOR 2019-Present Stanford University B.S. Candidate Hannah Pescaru (she/her/hers) is a sophomore at Stanford University planning on majoring in Biomedical Computation with a minor in Chemistry. Originally from the Chicago area, Hannah is interested in pursuing a career in medicine and research as a pediatric physician-scientist to study manifestations and progressions of neurological disorders. Outside of school, Hannah enjoys baking, crocheting, and going on long walks while listening to Taylor Swift. She is very excited to work with you this summer! |
Vu Duc CanhCOORDINATOR 2023-Present University of Tokyo Ph.D. |
Kate FallaCOMMUNITY FELLOW 2024-Present Columbia College B.A. Candidate Kate Falla is a sophomore at Columbia University and is on the premedical track. She has experience working with neurotech such as reading brainmaps and setting up EEG biofeedback and spent the past year as part of the Columbia University Science Journal. In her free time, Kate is a wheel ceramicist and loves visiting the MET for inspiration. She hopes to be a doctor specializing in neurogenetics or women's health. |
Onyinyechi OwoHEAD PEER TEACHING FELLOW 2020-Present Dartmouth College B.A. Candidate Onyinyechi Owo is a junior at Dartmouth University, pursuing majors in History and Neuroscience, with a minor in Global Health. She revitalized the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students on her campus and has actively contributed as its president and a source of support for fellow students. In her free time, she enjoys immersing herself in nature, discovering hidden study spaces on campus, and getting to know people. Inspired by Grey's Anatomy, she advocates for dance party breaks during group study sessions with her friends. She is eagerly looking forward to connecting with each and every one of you! |
Emma Van PraaghCOMMUNITY FELLOW 2024-Present Columbia SEAS B.S. Candidate Emma Van Praagh is a first-year undergraduate student studying biomedical engineering at Columbia University. As an Egleston Scholar, she has been recognized for her enthusiasm and accomplishments in engineering and applied science research. Emma studied spinal cord MRI and quantitative sensorimotor impairment in multiple sclerosis at the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science as a high school student. In fall 2023, Emma joined the MR SCIENCE Laboratory at Columbia University, where she conducts research in magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the brain. Emma also has an interest in public health. Since 2021, she has served in various volunteer and leadership roles at the BroadStreet Institute, a global non-profit organization, to address disparities in publicly available public health data and organize research-focused workshops and events. She currently serves as a Peer Teaching Fellow in the ACComPLISHED CHW Program with the Columbia VP&S Neurology Department. |
Jasmine PosnerCOMMUNITY FELLOW 2024-Present Columbia College B.A. Candidate Born and raised in Washington Heights, NYC, Jasmine Posner is a third-year undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University, where she is majoring in Cognitive Science with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience. Passionate about research, Jasmine is co-author on two journal articles and one international conference proceeding following work in Dr. Manu Jain’s lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center studying multiphoton microscopy as a tool for the non-invasive diagnosis of Basal Cell Carcinoma. She also completed a summer project in Dr. Utpal Pajvani’s lab at Columbia University Irving Medical Center highlighting the potential mechanistic link between Jag1-driven Notch activity and NASH-induced liver fibrosis. In addition to her research pursuits, Jasmine engages in volunteer work and mentorship, with some of her efforts including working shifts at Department of Emergency Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, coaching underserved high school students through Sci-Inspire, administering weekly free blood pressure screenings at a local East Harlem shelter with Hearts for the Homeless, and advising high school seniors with the college admissions process as a liaison at her alma mater Bronx Science. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys boxing, modeling, reading, and dancing bachata. |
Fairuz Alfadia IrmansyahMARKETING AND EXPLORE 2022-Present Fairuz (Fifi), is responsible for managing social media and overseeing the Explore programs at IYRC. Originally from Indonesia, she has lived and studied in multiple countries, including France, Turkey, and Malaysia. Outside of her work at IYRC, Fifi delights in tutoring English to young learners. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and karaoke. |
Lorraine DumanonADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 2024-Present Lorraine Eve Cabaneros-Dumanon is a Certified Industrial Engineer passionate about continuous improvement (Kaizen). Lorraine is committed to positively impacting her community through actively supporting the International Young Researchers' Conference (IYRC) on its mission to build an international network of driven students, mentors, and leaders in research. She holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan and has worked in various roles at Del Monte Phil. Inc., where she focused on export supply chain planning and inventory. In her free time, she enjoys nature trips, reading, calligraphy, and food. |
Tomoyo Isoyama
ASSISTANT 2018-Present Born and raised in Washington Heights, NYC, Jasmine Posner is a third-year undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University, where she is majoring in Cognitive Science with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience. Passionate about research, Jasmine is co-author on two journal articles and one international conference proceeding following work in Dr. Manu Jain’s lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center studying multiphoton microscopy as a tool for the non-invasive diagnosis of Basal Cell Carcinoma. She also completed a summer project in Dr. Utpal Pajvani’s lab at Columbia University Irving Medical Center highlighting the potential mechanistic link between Jag1-driven Notch activity and NASH-induced liver fibrosis. In addition to her research pursuits, Jasmine engages in volunteer work and mentorship, with some of her efforts including working shifts at Department of Emergency Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, coaching underserved high school students through Sci-Inspire, administering weekly free blood pressure screenings at a local East Harlem shelter with Hearts for the Homeless, and advising high school seniors with the college admissions process as a liaison at her alma mater Bronx Science. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys boxing, modeling, reading, and dancing bachata. |
Adhana AsfawTEACHING FELLOW 2023-Present Harvard College A.B. Columbia VP&S M.D. Candidate Adhana Asfaw is a 4th year medical student at Columbia University Medical School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University where she majored in Molecular and Cellular Biology. A few extracurricular activities she has become involved in while medical school include mentoring high school students in the Black and Latinx Students organization, research in racial disparities and participating in a student run free clinic for under-insured patients in the Harlem area. During her free time, Adhana enjoys watching movies with friends, going to hip-hop classes and watching Tik Tok |
Bree ZhangTEACHING FELLOW 2023-Present Brown University B.A. Columbia VP&S D.M.D. Candidate Bree Zhang (she/hers) is a second year dental student at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Brown University where she majored in Psychology. Bree is currently the class president for Columbia Dental and has experience in educational curriculum as the lead author of Module 7 of Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s Global Health Starter Kit. She has given presentations on oral health access and equity, and she has also articulated her journey to falling in love with dentistry in a TedXBrownU talk. Her hobbies include painting, composing music, playing the 古筝 (21-stringed Chinese zither), calligraphy, writing short stories, and trying out new sports like ice skating, frisbee, ballroom dancing while attempting not to fall in her face in the process! |
Evan HaleTEACHING FELLOW 2023-Present Columbia University B.S. Columbia VP&S M.D. Candidate Evan (he/him/his) is a fourth-year medical student at Columbia. He grew up in the NYC suburbs. He went on to attend Columbia for undergrad, where he studied Biochemistry and Japanese, and where one of his work-study jobs was getting in costume as the Columbia Lions mascot, Roar-ee the Lion. He is planning on specializing in neurology, and is particularly interested in sleep medicine, stroke, and movement disorders. He is a proud first-generation Italian-American and second-generation Japanese-American, as well as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. He enjoys cooking, learning foreign languages, gaming, and spending time outdoors. |
Julian ZuluetaTEACHING FELLOW 2023-Present MIT A.B. Columbia VP&S M.D. Candidate My name is Julian Zulueta, and I am a biological engineer and current medical student at Columbia VP&S. My research interests are in immunology, where I have previously worked with different organizations that focus on cancer, infectious diseases, and Parkinson’s disease. I’ve specifically enjoyed research in immunology because it can provide medical professionals the resources to detect diseases earlier and have more targeted therapeutics for patients. This is valuable since early detection and treatments can prevent diseases from developing into severe stages; thus, improving patient outcomes and quality of care. |
Karen ChenTEACHING FELLOW 2023-Present Stanford University B.S. Columbia VP&S M.D. Candidate Karen Chen is a 1st year Medical Student at Columbia University VP&S. She graduated from Stanford University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and minor in Human Rights. She spent a year before medical school doing a Fulbright Research Fellowship in Seoul, South Korea at Yonsei University, where she worked on developing a contact lens-based hydrogel for stem cell transplantation to the wounded cornea, targeted for treating corneal blindness in the low-resource settings. She also focuses on conducting computational research in ophthalmology, to apply AI and data science to expand access to care. In her free time, Karen loves going to cafes, testing new recipes, learning languages, and attending yoga and meditation sessions! |
Kevin YangTEACHING FELLOW 2023-Present Reed College B.S. Columbia VP&S D.M.D. Candidate Kevin Yang is a 1st year Dental Student at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Reed College where he majored in Biochemistry. During his time at Reed, he worked as a tutor and TA for various STEM courses and had done research work in biochemistry and organic synthesis. He also worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor for kids during his gap year. He has an interest in learning more about the human body and mind, in exploring different philosophies and religions, and in improving his social skills. In his free time, he likes spending time with friends and strangers through activities like games, sports, cooking, and volunteering events. He dislikes onions and peppers. |
Lotanna EzenekweTEACHING FELLOW 2023-Present University of Illinois A.B. Columbia VP&S M.D. Candidate Lotanna Ezenekwe is a fourth year medical student at Columbia University VP&S. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she majored in Molecular and Cellular Biology. She served as the Outreach Board Chair for Q Clinic, a student run free clinic dedicated to the care of unhoused and/or uninsured LGBTQ patients in NY, CT, and NJ. She continues to serve this community as a supervising clinical student. She is also involved as a Senior Advising Student for the internal medicine clerkship and a student tutor for the SSN. In her free time, she enjoys running, working out, learning foreign languages (Spanish, Japanese, Igbo), trying new foods, exploring NYC, and crocheting. |
Sherry YangTEACHING FELLOW 2023-Present Peking University Ph.D. Columbia VP&S D.M.D. Candidate I completed my undergraduate training at Peking University in China, majoring in Basic Medical Science. I then earned my PhD degree with a thesis focused on cardiovascular dysfunction from the same university. After graduating, I moved to the United States and received Postdoc training at the University of South Florida. Subsequently, I worked at the same institution as a researcher with a research interest focused on vascular injury during inflammation. I have published 24 research papers in highly reputable journals. Additionally, I have served as Reviewer for more than 10 research journals, including Circulation Research and the American Journal of Physiology. In 2023, I joined Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. I continue to conduct research while attending dental school. My aspiration is that after completing dental school, I can engage in clinical work, teaching, and dental research. I hope that through these efforts, I can make contribution to the advancement of dental clinical care. |
Yoyo WangTEACHING FELLOW 2023-Present NYU B.A. Columbia VP&S D.M.D. Candidate Yoyo Wang is a first-year Dental Student at Columbia College of Dental Medicine. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University, where she majored in Applied Psychology. She is passionate about applying both her natural and social backgrounds to further oral healthcare for people with disabilities. During her undergraduate years, she served as the Community Service Chair, leading volunteer events that focused on the food insecurity and isolation of New York City's homebound elderly. Additionally, she volunteered at a music therapy center, gaining insights into how to provide humanistic and individualized care for the development of special-needs clients. Outside of school, Yoyo enjoys playing her cello, going to escape rooms, running long distances, and attending rock concerts on weekends! |
Stacey DaiTEACHING FELLOW 2024-Present Columbia Mailman MPH Candidate My name is Stacey Dai, and I am a first-year masters of public health student at the Mailman School of Public Health. I received my bachelor's in psychology at the University of Minnesota. Prior to attending Columbia, I worked as a research assistant at Georgetown University studying cancer survivorship. My academic and professional interests include chronic disease and racial and ethnic health disparities. If you have any questions or are curious about anything, please do not hesitate to reach out! |
Emily DavisTEACHING FELLOW 2024-Present Columbia Mailman MPH Candidate Emily Davis is a 2nd year Master of Public Health Student at Mailman School of Public Health. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Duke University where she majored in Political Science. She has conducted research related to neurological epidemiology for more than three years and currently is an Associate Program Manager for a grant to bridge the childhood epilepsy treatment gap in Nigeria. She previously worked in a clinical capacity in Tennessee and Kentucky and has a significant interest in understanding barriers to care in rural settings and exploring the potential of community health workers to improve care in lower-resourced settings. For fun, Emily is a songwriter and a member of an Olympic lifting team in New York. |
Jiayi LiTEACHING FELLOW 2024-Present Columbia Mailman MPH Candidate Jiayi (Yaya) Li is a first-year Master's student in the Biostatistics program at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston College, where she majored in neuroscience. During her undergraduate studies, she conducted research on the role of serotonin in rats' social behavior in Dr. John Christianson’s lab. Her aspiration is to apply statistical techniques and methods to conduct research on topics related to neuroscience. Outside of school, she enjoys engaging in various activities, such as hiking, drawing, and cooking. |
Archita RoutTEACHING FELLOW 2024-Present Columbia Mailman MPH Candidate Archita Rout is a current Master of Public Health candidate at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, specializing in Infectious Disease Epidemiology. She recently graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Microbiology and minors in Epidemiology and Arabic, cultivating her passion for communicable disease, global health, and health equity. Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys photography, exploring New York, and the gym. She is very excited for this collaborative experience in sharing healthcare knowledge. |
Quinn AndersonTEACHING FELLOW 2024-Present Columbia Mailman MS Candidate Quinn is a first year MS in Epidemiology candidate at the Mailman School of Public Health. She received her BS in Public Health from American University in Washington, DC. Previously, she conducted research regarding sexual minority adolescent (SMA) behavioral health outcomes related to familial support. Most recently, she worked at the Yale Center for Outcomes and Research Evaluation coordinating health outcomes research. Her research interests are chronic disease epidemiology and psychiatric epidemiology. |
Ruotong WangTEACHING FELLOW 2024-Present Columbia VP&S DMD Candidate Hi everyone! My name is Ruotong Wang, and I am a first-year dental student from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. I am from China and took my undergraduate at the University of Rochester. My undergraduate major was genetics biology, with a minor in Japanese. I have participated in research labs focusing on bioinformatics, DNA damage repair mechanisms, and human microbiomes. I love reading, swimming, cooking, and playing badminton. It is my pleasure to join IYRC, and I am looking forward to studying with you all this spring and summer! |
Lynelle WeisTEACHING FELLOW 2024-Present Columbia Human Nutrition MSc Candidate Lynelle Weis is a graduate student at the Institute of Human Nutrition at Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, completing her master's in Human Nutrition. She graduated from Fordham University with a bachelor's in Biological Sciences and International Studies in 2022. On campus, Lynelle is actively involved with the IHN Food Coop's nutrition education in action initiatives, including the Chinese Heritage and Identity Through Food And Nutrition (CHIFAN) Project. She is conducting her thesis at Weill Cornell's Comprehensive Weight Control Center, researching the intersection of lifestyle intervention and pharmacotherapies. Lynelle intends to pursue a career as a physician, and is passionate about lifestyle and dietary interventions through nutrition advocacy. She is excited to work with this year's class as a teaching fellow. |
Emily AvisadoTEACHING FELLOW 2024-Present Columbia Occupational Therapy Candidate Emily Avisado (she/her/hers) is a first year Master's Student at Columbia University VP&S Programs in Occupational Therapy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Rutgers University. Her career goals involve working with the pediatric and neuro populations. Outside of school, she enjoys dancing and exploring new places. |
Ronelle ReyesTEACHING FELLOW 2024-Present Columbia Occupational Therapy Candidate Ronelle Reyes "Ronie" is a first year Master's Student at Columbia University VP&S School of Occupational Therapy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington where she majored in Political Science. A previous teachers assistant, marketing coordinator, and support group volunteer. Her hobbies include reading, exploring NYC, and watching movies |
Feel free to get in touch with us if you have other concerns.
一般社団法人 IYRC
〒106-0032 東京都港区六本木７丁目２番２８－６０５号
電話番号: 03-3527-9323
