RIT biomedical sciences students launch new community club
Carlos Ortiz/RIT
The Biomedical Sciences Student Association is creating a new community at RIT. Club president Marissa Abramson, left, is shown here with Josh Bennigsohn, center, and treasurer Grace Lee.
Biomedical sciences at RIT is more than a major—it’s a pathway to medical school and future careers. Recognizing the need for connection beyond the classroom, students Marissa Abramson and Grace Lee founded the Biomedical Sciences Student Association (BSSA) to create a strong peer network and collaborative environment.
What is BSSA?
The BSSA welcomes students from all years in the biomedical sciences program and any RIT student interested in medicine or health sciences. Club activities begin in January and will include:
- Peer mentoring and networking
- Hands-on training sessions (e.g., Narcan administration, CPR)
- Guest speakers and professional development events
- Stress-relief activities for students in demanding programs
Why it matters
Abramson, a third-year accelerated BS/MS student and club president, emphasizes that RIT’s biomedical sciences culture is collaborative—not competitive. “At other universities, premed students often race against each other. At RIT, it’s a relay—and we’re all running together,” she said.
Student leadership and support
Abramson is deeply involved on campus as a tour guide, teaching assistant, and a leader in her sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha. She knows the challenges of the program and wants the club to provide academic and emotional support.
Faculty agree. Todd Camenisch, director of biomedical sciences, calls the club “vital for building community and supporting students interested in biomedical sciences and research.”
Early members and mentorship
Third-year student Josh Bennigsohn, an RIT Honors student, highlights the value of upperclassmen mentoring first-year students: “I think it’s important to give feedback to younger students.”
Grace Lee, a second-year honors student in the accelerated BS/MS program, hopes the club will raise awareness of the biomedical sciences major across campus. Lee balances rigorous coursework with a Chinese minor and psychology immersion and assists with mouse dissections in the biology department.
To learn more about biomedical sciences or the BSSA club, contact Todd Camenisch or Ashley Jackson.
Tips for first-year biomedical sciences majors
- Complete homework early and stay organized
- Use tools like Google Calendar to track assignments
- Attend office hours—professors are approachable and eager to help
- Build relationships with faculty and peers
- Start strong; the second year gets harder
- Network with other students for shared knowledge
