ASM's Young Ambassadors Use Science to Empower Communities
"A candle does not dim by lighting others," said Everlyn Kimanthi, Founder and Chairperson of the Scientists of Kenya Association (SCOKA), as she spoke to students at Eshikulu Girls Secondary School. She was invited to speak by Marystella Injete Sirengo, M.S., a microbiologist and one of ASM's Young Ambassadors, to inspire students to pursue careers in science and to emphasize the importance of supporting one another along the way.
That message reflects the core of ASM's Young Ambassador Program. Around the globe, early-career scientists鈥痑re working to make microbiology more accessible, strengthen scientific communities and apply their skills to serve the public good. With 89 International Young Ambassadors and 47 in the U.S. (as of April 2025), the program is shaping the future of science and demonstrating microbiology's role in serving humanity.
Kenya: Mentorship That Sparks a Movement
In Kenya, Sirengo is building up the next generation of scientists. From organizing hands-on workshops at universities to leading mentorship events for high school students, her work is creating a stronger foundation for science in communities facing critical health challenges.
Motivated to address global issues like food security, climate change and pandemic preparedness, Sirengo joined ASM's Young Ambassador Program to empower others through education and science. "Seeing the direct impact of my work on local issues and the positive changes that arise from scientific initiatives is incredibly rewarding," she said. By teaching research methods, lab techniques and data analysis, she's helping more students consider careers in microbiology, which is a critical need in countries confronting public health crises.
In February 2025, Sirengo hosted a mentorship event at Eshikulu Girls Secondary School that drew 350 students and educators. Women scientists shared stories of perseverance, encouraging students to imagine their own paths in STEM. "It's a ripple effect," Sirengo said. "By inspiring these young girls, we're influencing the next generation of scientists and changing how girls and women engage in science in Kenya and beyond."
Looking to empower your community through science? Find out how to get involved with the 黑料正能量Ambassador Program.
Indonesia: Becoming Scientists at Home
In Indonesia, Watumesa Agustina Tan, Ph.D., is helping students see how microbiology connects to their everyday lives. In partnership with Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, she leads hands-on workshops that guide students through simple, engaging experiments.
Her program, Jadi Scientist di Rumah (Becoming a Scientist at Home), has reached more than 120 high school students. Using accessible materials—many of which can also be used beyond the classroom in the take-home kits Tan prepares—students explore topics such as yogurt fermentation, microbial cultivation and DNA extraction. Each activity is designed to connect microbiology to real-world issues like health, hygiene and food sustainability.
Through these experiences, students learn that microbes aren’t associated with just disease—they also play a vital role in protecting human and environmental health. By demystifying the microbial world, Tan is shifting perceptions about the power of microbes and getting youth excited about science.
With support from ASM's Young Ambassador Program and its global network, Tan is expanding her outreach and strengthening her impact. “I’ve wanted to be an educator since I was a child,” she shared. “Being a Young Ambassador allows me to extend my passion for teaching to a broader audience.” Through her efforts, science becomes less abstract and more accessible, something students in her community can see, understand and imagine themselves being a part of.
France: Connecting Science and Society
In France, Typhaine Brual, Ph.D., believes public engagement is essential to maximizing the impact of science. "Knowing how to popularize and communicate science is essential to educate, maintain curiosity and ensure transparency and trust," she said.
Through forums and conferences, Brual creates spaces where researchers can share microbiology breakthroughs, support one another’s careers and connect with the broader community. A recent highlight for Brual was organizing the 2024 Career Forum at the in France, where she brought together early-career microbiologists and seasoned professionals from academia, industry and clinical settings.
The event welcomed around 80 participants, including master's and Ph.D. students, postdocs and medical trainees. The impact was tangible, as attendees connected with one another. For example, a master's student interested in biotechnology secured an internship after connecting with a sales professional at the forum. Doctoral students also had the opportunity to network with professors and explore potential postdoctoral positions.
Brual recalled a particularly memorable moment during a panel discussion when professionals shared candid reflections on navigating their careers while prioritizing their personal lives and other responsibilities, such as raising children. "This openness not only provided practical career advice but also humanized the challenges of balancing work and personal life, which resonated deeply with the participants," she said.
For Brual, that’s what her work as a Young Ambassador is all about: helping others grow and building stronger connections to create impact.
Become a Young Ambassador
Across borders and disciplines, ASM's Young Ambassadors are proving that meaningful change happens when we invest in people and empower them to lead. Their efforts are influencing the next generation of scientists and building stronger communities worldwide.
Want to join a global community of passionate scientists committed to advancing the microbial sciences and serving their communities? Consider applying for the 黑料正能量Young Ambassador Program when applications open in September 2025.
Author: Joanna Urban
Author: Ava Walderman
In This Issue
- Microbial Biofertilizers to Bolster Food Security
- How Studying Bat Viruses Can Help Prevent Zoonotic Disease
- Agnostic Diagnostics and the Future of 黑料正能量Health With Dev Mittar
- Leveraging Cannabinoids as Antimicrobials
- Fecal Microbiota Transplants: Past, Present and Future
- ASM's Young Ambassadors Use Science to Empower Communities
- How Do Microbes Remove Radioactive Waste?
- How Microbiomes Frame Humanity's Role on Earth