Our Purpose

Elizabeth and Rashad, two first-generation students, came together with the idea to create a platform that will take mentorship to the next level. We understand how intimidating finding the right mentor can be, so we are bringing them to you. The purpose of Trailblazers In Stem Progam (TISP) is to provide a collaborative network of professional/graduate students across the country to undergraduate students nationwide. We recognized the disparity gap between fields of study and resources that we needed at the undergraduate stage and are actively making the change. This program is not limited to the field of STEM as we have mentors from several practices. This is the first student-founded organization that will provide mentoring services, Zoom rooms/office hours, student and director-led workshops, teaching opportunities, and wellness events to students looking for their “fit”. Undergraduate students will no longer need to “search” for a mentor, as we are the first platform established to choose a mentor that best fits their goals and interests. Choose from several mentors from backgrounds such as: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacogenomics, Psychology, Health Sciences, General Biology, Computer Science, Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Law Practice in International Trade and Government Relations, and more (as we continue to expand). We look forward to receiving your Mentee/Mentor Interest form soon!

Elizabeth volunteered with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Delta Zeta Omega, and Eta Sigma Chapters for our "We Are One" AKA Day of Service during MLK day!

Recent Outreach

Elizabeth volunteered with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Delta Zeta Omega, and Eta Sigma Chapters for our "We Are One" AKA Day of Service during MLK day in partnership with Sister Circle Women's Support of San Francisco.
Together we packed over 100+ hygiene packs to support women in need while strengthening our collective impact!

Meet The Founders

Elizabeth Hardy

Founder

About Me

I completed my undergraduate degree at Rutgers University where I obtained a B.S. in Biology, a B.A. in Health Sciences, and a B.A. in Psychology. I am a committed first-year doctoral student in the Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics (PSPG) Ph.D. program at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). As a current National Institutes of Health NIGMS IMSD Fellow, I strive to foster an inclusive environment. As a first-year PSPG student at UCSF, I am passionate about exploring the intersections of neuroscience and pharmacology. As a former NIH MARC U-STAR Fellow, I recognize the gap between fields in the professional/academic community and I am here to close it. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, I propose to use my platform on a larger scale to close this disparity gap as we strive and do.

What does being First-Gen mean to me?

Being First Gen is special, there is no one like me. Despite coming from a disadvantaged background, I am filled with grit, determination, and excitement to excel in my academic career here at UCSF. This is something that NO ONE can take from us, I also love to mentor undergraduate students and encourage them to be resilient.

Rashad Reid

Co-Founder

About Me

I earned my bachelor’s degree from Temple University where I obtained a B.S. in Biology, a minor in Chemistry, and a certificate in Genomics Medicine. I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) in the Biological and Medical Informatics (BMI) program. As a first-year UCSF student, I was honored to be a recipient of the National Institutes of Health NIGMS IMSD Fellowship. As a current IMSD Fellow, a former NIH MARC Fellow, and a first-generation student, I am extremely passionate about using my platform to create opportunities for mentoring people from traditionally underrepresented communities in STEM. My journey so far has only reinforced the importance of mentorship, and career development in fostering successful young scientists. Through mentorship I strive to empower aspiring scientists by providing guidance and access to resources to support their growth.

What does being First-Gen mean to me?

As a first-generation student, I'm constantly reminded of the significance of my journey and the impact of my work, even during moments when I lose sight of the broader picture. Although being first-generation sometimes makes me feel different from many of my peers and presents challenges, I find strength in my unique perspective and identity as a scientist. My status as a first-generation student isn't a hurdle to overcome; rather, it's a pivotal factor in my success and ongoing growth.

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