Student Groups and Initiatives

The Art and Craft Club is a vibrant, creative community dedicated to fostering artistic expression and nurturing individual talent. Our mission is to provide a welcoming space where members can explore diverse art forms, from painting and sculpture to handmade crafts and design, in a supportive, inclusive environment. We aim to inspire creativity, promote skill development, and encourage collaboration through workshops, exhibitions, and hands-on projects. By engaging with both traditional and contemporary techniques, the club helps individuals of all levels discover their artistic potential while cultivating a sense of belonging and connection. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, the Art and Craft Club is a place where imagination thrives, and artistic exploration is celebrated. Together, we create, learn, and grow, sharing the joy and fulfillment that come from bringing ideas to life through art.

Contact Information:
Chandrima Bhattacharya: chb4004@med.cornell.edu 

WCM Badminton Club is a space for badminton enthusiasts to come together and enjoy badminton. We meet in Olin Gym (basement of 445 East 69 St) every week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 6-8PM to play badminton. Skill levels range from beginner to advanced.

Join our group chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J9APigJwxDR8DLb8PRNUa1?mode=ems_copy_c

The Tri-Institutional Biotech Club (TRIBC) is a student organization in operation for over 20 years, with global members in academia, biotech, non-profits, and venture capital. We are on a mission to bridge the gap between industry and academia and provide the education, skills, and network for students to become future leaders in biotech. We strive to foster a community of members with a shared interest in biotechnology and healthcare within the Tri-I Area (Memorial Sloan Kettering, Rockefeller University, and Weill Cornell Medicine). Through our events, we engage discussions on various cutting-edge biotechnologies and the future trends of the healthcare system.

Contact Information:
Annalisa Ferrotta: anf4005@med.cornell.edu 
Website: www.tribiotech.org

Birdwatching Club seeks to foster an appreciation of wildlife in our back yard: Central Park and other local settings. Our mission is to inspire curiosity and cultivate a sense of wonder among our members in the diverse bird species that exist within our own surroundings.

We lead birdwatching tours during fall and spring migrations that can be appreciated by first-timers and experienced birdwatchers alike. Club-owned binoculars will be available to club members on birdwatching tours. We hope to build an inclusive and welcoming community through regular group outings and excursions where everyone can learn, share, and grow together as we appreciate nature.

Contact Information:
Cameron Swope: cas4022@med.cornell.edu
Brandon Cuevas: bmc4004@med.cornell.edu

The Board Games Club seeks to promote student welfare and foster inclusiveness among the Tri-I community. The organization achieves this by creating a platform for students of different programs to interact over a common interest in board games, thereby providing regular entertainment to the diverse Tri-I student population.

Contact Information:
Aristotle Lau: acl4001@med.cornell.edu
Juan Sebastian Andrade Martinez: jsa3002@med.cornell.edu 

The goal of the Weill Cornell book club is to create a community around individuals that like to read. We aim to connect students together who may not have the opportunity to meet otherwise, and provide a space for conversation. Additionally, we want to give students the opportunity to read something other than scientific papers, to give ourselves a much needed break from lab and the rigors of graduate school and relax. Many students tell us that they’ve been meaning to read more, and so our mission is to motivate these students to do so. Lastly, in recent years we have expanded our mission to also include hosting events that are not just a more traditional book discussion, such as our book swap, which is a more social even that includes donations to the local library. 

Contact information:
Samatha Regan: sar3006@med.cornell.edu

The mission of the Cultural Learning Club (CLC) is to create a vibrant community where individuals passionate about learning and sharing languages come together to foster intercultural understanding, appreciation, and exchange. Our goal is to give back to the community by offering language resources, hosting cultural events, and promoting diversity through language learning. We aim to develop and enhance our members' linguistic skills while deepening their understanding of global cultures.

Contact Information:
Peyton Carpen: cas4022@med.cornell.edu

Our club is a vibrant community of amateur chefs and enthusiastic foodies united by a shared love for discovering and savoring diverse cuisines from around the world. We seek to cultivate an environment that fosters culinary curiosity, cultural appreciation, and meaningful connections through food. We invite individuals who are eager to expand their culinary horizons and explore the rich tapestry of global flavors. Through monthly gatherings on the last Sunday of each month, we come together to celebrate the art of cooking and the joy of sharing a meal. Our gatherings are inclusive and open to all, encouraging active participation and contributions from every member. Join us as we get together, socialize, and talk about life, science, and food.

Contact Information:
Stephen Ruiz: sbr4001@med.cornell.edu

The High School Catalyst Program is a partnership between the Weill Cornell Graduate School and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Postdoctoral Association. The High School Catalyst Program is designed to provide high school students with a hands-on biomedical research experience, guided by a mentor in the field, in addition to scientific enrichment workshops, a journal club, and career-building discussions.

Contact information:
Clare Cahir: cwc4001@med.cornell.edu
Victoria Rasmussen Saca: vir4003@med.cornell.edu

The Cornell Isotopes Soccer Club is an athletic club where members of the Tri-I community play as a team to compete in city-wide coed recreational soccer leagues all year round. We currently have two teams and games are usually at night once a week either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday (for the weekday team) or Sundays (for the Sunday team). We decide as a team what league we sign up for based on preference (e.g. weekday vs. weekend games, location of games, number of players on the field at once, etc.)

Contact Information:
Nicholas Bartelo: nib4003@med.cornell.edu 

The Jewish Students Organization of Cornell (JSOC) is dedicated to celebrating Jewish culture and strengthening the Jewish community at Weill Cornell. JSOC hosts communal Shabbat dinners (both catered and potluck!), as well as celebrations for Chanukah, Purim, Lag Ba’Omer, and other Jewish festivities. Additionally, JSOC connects Weill Cornell students to opportunities and resources throughout New York’s Jewish Community.  

Contact information:
Rebecca Nadler: ren4003@med.cornell.edu

WCM Music & Medicine Initiative was created to allow medical students, physicians, graduate students, and staff to find a community of musicians amid their academic and medical lives. WCM Music and Medicine welcomes musicians from the Tri-Institutions (WCM, Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering), other medical institutions across NYC, and non-medically inclined friends of the Music and Medicine program.

We have a large presence across the Tri-I campuses. We estimate that 20% of the students in each incoming class have a musical background. You might see us perform at graduation ceremonies, award dinners, and department-wide events. We feature jazz ensembles, classical chamber groups, vocalists, and other bands.

One of the most meaningful aspects of Music and Medicine is performing for patients and staff at NewYork-Presbyterian. We hold monthly patient performances in many hospital units and weekly performances at the Cofer Memorial Chapel at NewYork-Presbyterian. We also occasionally host special events for hospital units, such as the Oncology Infusion Center Day of Music. A physician once told us that our music “elevates the happiness quotient” at WCM. We are so grateful we can share our music and positively impact NYP staff and patients through these experiences.

Our largest student group is the Music and Medicine Orchestra. Under the baton of our conductor, Adrian Rogers, a conducting student at Juilliard, we have quickly established ourselves as the largest and most active medical orchestra in New York City. The WCM Music and Medicine Orchestra is a distinguished ensemble comprising over 70 talented musicians. Remarkably, 75% of our members are students, faculty, or staff from Cornell-affiliated institutions and other medical colleges in New York City. We are proud to collaborate with conservatory students from prestigious institutions such as The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, and NYU Steinhardt, as well as skilled freelance musicians and dedicated community members who share our passion for music.

We welcome all who are interested in music to join our community.

Contact Information:
Molly Monge:  4005@med.cornell.edu 

The Muslim Students Association (MSA) at Weill Cornell is a vibrant community dedicated to fostering spiritual growth, cultural understanding, and mutual support among Muslim students. Our mission is to create a welcoming space where students can connect with one another, share their diverse experiences, and strengthen their faith. Through a variety of events, discussions, and activities, we aim to enrich the spiritual lives of our members while providing a supportive network to help navigate the challenges of higher education. Additionally, we advocate for the unique needs of Muslim students, ensuring there are spaces to observe prayer and celebrate Muslim holidays.

Contact Information:
Naira Abou-Ghali: naa4014@med.cornell.edu
Sakila Nazia: san2025@med.cornell.edu

The Weill Cornell Outdoor Adventure Club organizes outdoor adventures ranging from hiking in the Hudson Valley, to canoeing in the Adirondacks, to climbing, to cycling, even occasionally skiing. We are always looking for new adventure ideas! We also maintain a library of camping and climbing gear for the use of all Tri-I affiliates. We also have a WhatsApp group and listserv where you can share your ideas and find other outdoor enthusiasts to join you for your next adventure.

Contact information:
Ben Allwein: bta4001@med.cornell.edu

Prism Club was founded to support the queer community at Weill Cornell Medical College and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. All students, administrators, researchers, postdocs, and faculty members are welcome! Our mission is to create a safe LGBTIQA+ community and engage in activities to share our interests and identities.

Contact information:
Ana C. Codo: anc4046@med.cornell.edu
WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GZDTEHLOCYiCkmmjme8Sgm 

Science Illustrators offers a collaborative environment to develop graphic design skills, receive constructive feedback, and exchange ideas. Members create digital and print scientific content for the Tri-I and the general public to enhance science literacy. Our mission is to use visual storytelling to make science more engaging and understandable for all audiences. We believe effective science visualizations simplify complex information to promote interdisciplinary learning and bridge gaps in understanding. We aim to encourage dialogue between experts and cultivate a deeper appreciation for science within the public.

Contact Information:
Carolyn Ton cat4010@med.cornell.edu 
Jennifer Yavid jey4007@med.cornell.edu 

We are a casual co-ed summer softball team great for both seasoned players and new players alike. During the summer, we host practices and play in a league allowing us to compete against people throughout Manhattan.

Contact information:
Nicole Walker: nsw4001@med.cornell.edu
Brandon Cuevas: bmc4004@med.cornell.edu

Our mission is to educate students and postdocs about the many roles they can take in an entrepreneurial and venture capital career. We work to connect our members with the entrepreneurial ecosystems in NYC. As the city continues to expand their interest and funding in biotech, we hope to accelerate the growth of NYC into an exciting biotech hub by providing a networking platform of scientists focused on the production of new biological innovations.

We hold a fireside chat every month (usually the last Wednesday of every month) at the Bioventure elab (1157 York Ave) to feature someone in the nyc entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Contact information:
Nick Bartelo: nib4003@med.cornell.edu
Thasin Peyear: thp2007@med.cornell.edu
Aazam Ghelani: aag4006@med.cornell.edu
Website: https://www.trii-svg.com/

The Student Disability Association (SDA) is a group for medical and graduate students at Weill Cornell who self-identify as having a disability (including but not limited to physical, neurodevelopmental, and mental health). We serve as a community to support one another in navigating the complex issues faced in medical/graduate school while having a disability. We aim to improve accessibility, resources and visibility on campus through discussions at all levels of the Weill Cornell community.

Contact information:
Gabrielle Peterson: gmp4001@med.cornell.edu
KT Tsang: kst4001@med.cornell.edu

Hi everyone, thanks for joining the club! We want to use this space to connect players and also host social pick-up games. To do this, please join the whatsapp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HFve8Slu76REbtn3fruH60 

The Tri-Institutional Consulting Club aims to further awareness and understanding of the consulting profession among Tri-I community members. Additionally, we educate members about the application process, facilitate interview practice, and provide recruitment opportunities that strengthen the quality of Tri-I job candidates and provide invaluable career development assistance. Over the years we have helped members of the Tri-I community secure jobs in the top generalist and boutique life science consulting companies and build an extensive alumni network.

Contact information:
Emma Johnsson: emj4003@med.cornell.edu 
Patric Wallisch: paw4007@med.cornell.edu 

TIMS brings together students, administrators, researchers and faculty members from the Rockefeller University, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City to make scientific opportunities available to all underrepresented bring together all members of our scientific tri-institutional community. Our activities include organizing educational outreach, professional development and networking programs. We also provide social opportunities to foster community across all three campuses.

Contact Information:
Yasmine Issah: yai4001@med.cornell.edu

The mission of the Student Volleyball Club is to provide students in the Tri-I area with the opportunity to play volleyball. 

The club organizes co-ed indoor volleyball matches in Olin Hall Gym Court (York Avenue & 69th Street) on a weekly basis. We go directly from warmups to playing games non-stop! We meet on Sundays from 4-7pm and are open to all levels. The more experienced players will be more than happy to help you improve and learn some technique! We also have an Intermediate+ Day for more skilled players on Wednesday evenings from 8:30-11pm. Come and check out the team’s level on Sunday if you are not sure!

Contact information:
Caitlin Unkenholz: ccu4001@med.cornell.edu

Watering My Garden is a support group/sister circle for self-identified women of color and allies in medical and graduate school. We host events that aid students in navigating medical and graduate school including student panels, discussions about a wide variety of topics that intersect with science and medicine, and social and networking events. Our goal is to provide a safe space to be in community with one another as we navigate our paths in medical and graduate school.

Contact information:
Nicole Walker: nsw4001@med.cornell.edu

Yoga enthusiasts of all skill levels are welcome to join us in Yoga Club. In our weekly vinyasa-style yoga classes, you will coordinate your breath and movement while maintaining proper body alignment and building strength, endurance, flexibility, and body awareness. Our weekly yoga classes provide a supportive environment for the student community where we can connect, relax, and reduce stress through the practice of yoga.

Contact information:
Nicole Politowska: nim3001@med.cornell.edu
Steph Tam: swt4002@med.cornell.edu