“Mount Sinai offered the opportunity to grow as both a scientist and a future physician while being part of a community deeply committed to patient care,” says Alexander Forrest, a first-year student in the Master of Science in Biomedical Science program. “And as a New Yorker at heart, it felt like the right place for me both professionally and personally.”
Alexander Forrest is a first-year student in Track 1 of the Master of Science in Biomedical Science program at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai with a concentration in Immunology.
In this Q&A, he discusses how the mentorship, community engagement, and translational research at Mount Sinai are building the foundation for his future career as a physician-scientist.
“Mount Sinai offered the opportunity to grow as both a scientist and a future physician while being part of a community deeply committed to patient care,” he says. “And as a New Yorker at heart, it felt like the right place for me both professionally and personally.”
What is your academic and career background?
I graduated from Hunter College in 2023, where I majored in biochemistry. During my time there, my professors emphasized the importance of research in deepening our understanding of biological systems. This led me to participate in several summer research programs, where I developed both technical skills and a strong foundation in asking and answering scientific questions. I also served as a neuroscience instructor for high school seniors. I later returned to one of my summer programs as a research mentor, which deepened my interest in both science and education. After graduating, I worked as a research technician at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, studying metabolic pathways in thyroid cancer.
What first attracted you to this field?
I grew up primarily in the Caribbean, on the island of Antigua, where research and laboratory science were not always widely visible career paths. I’ve always been driven by curiosity and a desire to understand how things work. Additionally, seeing family members navigate illness motivated my interest in contributing to the development of new treatments and cures. Over time, through my experiences in research, I realized that this was something I could see myself pursuing long-term.
Why did you choose to study at Mount Sinai?
During my gap years, I was looking for an environment where I could take greater ownership of my work while also gaining more exposure to clinical care and community engagement. At the same time, I wanted to be in a place pushing forward impactful, translational research. Mount Sinai stood out as a place where all these elements intersect. It offered the opportunity to grow as both a scientist and a future physician while being part of a community deeply committed to patient care. And as a New Yorker at heart, it felt like the right place for me both professionally and personally.
Who are your mentors, and what is the focus of your research?
At Mount Sinai, I work under the mentorship of Brian Brown, PhD, alongside Alessia Baccarini, PhD, and Xiao Han, PhD. The lab environment is highly collaborative and driven by a shared commitment to tackling complex biological questions. Our research focuses on understanding how the immune system influences the proliferation and persistence of ovarian cancer, with the goal of developing therapeutic strategies to overcome immune evasion.
What has been your greatest accomplishment in the program so far?
One of my biggest accomplishments has been successfully transitioning back into an academic environment after time away from school. Beyond that, I serve as co-chair of Access to Care Team Resources within the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership, where I help address barriers to care for patients, including transportation and food access. This work has been especially meaningful, as it allows me to directly support patients navigating the health care system. I also had the opportunity to speak with high school students about careers in science earlier this year, which was a full-circle moment given my own path.
How have the resources at Mount Sinai contributed to your success in the program?
Mount Sinai provides an incredibly supportive environment, both academically and personally. The administration has been helpful in navigating the program, and my lab has been a major source of mentorship and growth. Equally important is the sense of community among students and trainees. There’s a shared drive to succeed, but also a genuine willingness to support one another. That balance has made a big difference in my experience here.
What are your plans after you complete your MSBS?
After completing the program, I plan to apply to medical school, with a particular interest in MD/PhD programs. I hope to build on the skills I’ve developed at Mount Sinai to become a physician-scientist who can bridge patient care and research, contributing to both improved treatments and a deeper