Nassau teen cancer survivor and Stony Brook University researcher search for cancer treatment
News 12 spoke with a Nassau teenager who is a cancer survivor and Stony Brook University professor about the bond they formed working together on a cancer research project.
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Emma Wen, 17, says she doesn't remember much from her time in the hospital as a 6-year-old cancer patient.
But what she does remember, inspired her to pursue a career in medicine.
"I use that as experience to want to help other people," said Wen.
Emma, whose cancer is in remission, is a senior at Great Neck North High School, a junior volunteer EMT, a hospital volunteer, a ballet dancer and a cancer researcher.
"It was really crazy when I first joined in the summer because it was my first time in an actual lab," said Wen.
"It was like the most amazing thing when she joined the lab in the summer, I mean first, she came prepared, she read all the papers, she came prepared to do research," said Agnieszka B. Bialkowska, PhD with Stony Brook Renaissance School of Medicine.
Wen joined the lab at Stony Brook University after reaching out to Bialkowska.
The two worked together on Emma's pancreatic cancer research project for the Regeneron Science Talent Search.
The connection paid off: Wen was chosen as one of the top 40 finalists.
"When you see this in young people, you're like yes! You know you see the passion, you know the self-motivation," said Bialkowska.
Wen made such an impact during her time at the lab, Bialkowska said that she is the only high school student who has ever been invited back to do research at the lab.
Emma said she hopes her research helps more people beat cancer and pursue their dreams.
"Just follow what you're passionate about and not being afraid of failure is a really big thing," said Wen.
