Students and staff from the College of Staten Island’s Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP/STEP) joined peers from across the region at the 2026 Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island (BQS) Regional CSTEP Student Research Conference, held on April 25 at Kingsborough Community College.

Centered on the theme “Ignite Your Spark: Strengthening Community, Expanding Opportunities, & Advancing STEM Leadership,” the annual conference brought together more than 300 students, educators, and program leaders for a full day of research presentations, academic exchange, and professional development. The event featured keynote speaker Dr. Keron Matthew, alongside a series of career-focused workshops spanning STEM, healthcare, law, and public service fields.

CSI’s presence was strongly felt throughout the conference, with STEP/CSTEP administrators, instructors, and students actively participating in both presentations and panel discussions. Among the standout moments were research presentations from two CSI CSTEP scholars whose work exemplified the depth and rigor of undergraduate inquiry.

Abdoulaye Diop. a sophomore Biology-Pre Med track major and Macaulay Honors College student, presented “The Future of Surgery: A Systematic Review of Artificial Intelligence in Cardiothoracic Surgery,” exploring how emerging technologies are reshaping surgical practices and patient outcomes. Denise Boadi, a graduate study pursuing Biotechnology, delivered her research on “Investigating the Role of Collagen Genes in the Lung Cancer Tumor Microenvironment,” contributing to a growing body of knowledge aimed at understanding and combating cancer at the molecular level.

“The BQS regional conference is always a powerful reminder of what happens when students are given the space to explore, lead, and share their curiosity,” said Dianni Alston, Program Coordinator of CSI’s Science & Technology Entry Program, who has also served as Chair of the Conference for the past two years. “It makes me especially proud to see our students display their brilliance and I am incredibly proud of our CSI CSTEP scholars whose research reflects the dedication, discipline, and commitment that define our students, not only across our region, but throughout the statewide STEP and CSTEP network.”

Together, Abdoulaye and Denise’s work highlighted not only the academic excellence of CSI students, but also the broader mission of the CSTEP program, to expand access to higher education and professional pathways for economically disadvantaged students in STEM and licensed professions.

“Conferences like this are truly transformative; they not only showcase academic excellence but also help students see themselves as scholars and future professionals while building confidence and community,” said Alston. “We are looking forward to seeing even more research and innovation from our CSI STEP and CSTEP students in the years to come.”

For more information on CSI STEP and CSTEP, visit their respective Websites here: STEP | CSTEP