Celebrating STEM Excellence: The 3rd Annual Cuono Engineering STEM Scholarship Award

CE STEM Scholarship recipient, Sophiana Simone with CE Principal and Founder, Ciro Cuono at Ursuline's Graduation Liturgy and Awards Ceremony.

A Milestone Event in STEM Education

Last week, Cuono Engineering proudly awarded its 3rd Annual STEM Scholarship to Sophiana Simone, a senior at the Ursuline School in New Rochelle, New York. Ciro Cuono, the Principal and Founder of Cuono Engineering, presented this esteemed award during the school's Graduation Liturgy on Tuesday, May 20th.

Sophiana's Inspiring Journey

Sophiana is headed to Boston University this fall to study Cellular and Molecular Biology. She has a clear goal in mind: to pursue a career in orthopedic medicine. This field allows her to merge her passions for anatomy, structure, and engineering while providing direct care to patients.

Her impressive portfolio includes participation in various science-centered programs and extracurricular activities. Notably, she has been a part of Ursuline's multi-year Science Research Scholar Program, the Urban Barcoding Project, Einstein-Montefiore's Summer High School Program, and Mount Sinai's Internship Program. These experiences have given her a solid foundation in genetics, cancer biology, and environmental science, starting from her freshman year.

Through hands-on experiences, Sophiana has gained insights into the systemic inequities in patient care. She recognizes the critical need to bridge the STEM gender gap.

The Importance of Diversity in STEM

"These moments have shaped how I see the STEM gender gap as a personal and structural issue. In lab environments where women are underrepresented, I've experienced the pressure to constantly prove my place. And yet, I've also seen how much more vibrant, collaborative, and creative science becomes when diverse voices are empowered."

These words from Sophiana highlight the significance of diversity in science and technology. The Cuono Engineering STEM Scholarship aims to promote this vital aspect of the STEM fields. It supports young women who are passionate about their careers and strives to tackle the challenges women face in STEM, from gender bias to the lack of representation in leadership positions.

A Vision for the Future

We are proud to award this year's scholarship to Sophiana, who truly embodies its essence. Her dedication and achievements inspire others to follow in her footsteps. Cuono Engineering is committed to fostering an environment where young women can thrive and make a difference in STEM.

As we look to the future, we are hopeful for a world where more empowered young women lead in the STEM fields. The scholarship is a step towards realizing this vision.

Previous Scholarship Recipients

We invite you to view our past scholarship recipients and their remarkable journeys:

• 2024 - Nabhia Metla

• 2023 - Claire Caltabiano

  
  

In conclusion, let's continue to celebrate and support the next generation of female leaders in STEM. Their voices will undoubtedly shape the future of science and technology for the better.