Stella Kyae Sin Win Htet is a high school student from Myanmar passionate about the biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, and astrophysics. She serves as an international chapter leader for Medicine for Youth, interns in pharmacology at Vanderbilt University, and volunteers with the World Literacy Foundation to help combat illiteracy. Most recently, she was selected as the new leader of the Harrow Medics Society at her school.
Stella is currently focused on advancing her studies while staying active in community service, blending her passion for STEM research with leadership and meaningful engagement in her community. Stella volunteers at a local school for the deaf and hard of hearing, and the School for Special Needs in Yangon, where she also organizes book donations. She is also helping her school to host monthly bake sales to raise funds for refugee camps in Mae Sot. Read on to learn more about Stella and her exciting journey in STEM!
Meet Stella!
How did you initially become interested in STEM?
I first became interested in STEM as a kid when I was curious and exposed to various aspects of it. I grew up reading DK science books, which are quite popular, and I also watched Bill Nye the Science Guy on the Disney Channel. Those experiences made science feel fun and full of possibilities! Additionally, my father, who graduated from medical school, inspired me to explore biomedical sciences. Over time, my early curiosity developed into a deep passion.
What academic subjects or fields of STEM are you most interested in?
Currently, I’m most interested in biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, and astrophysics. While I enjoy exploring the big questions in these fields, my long-term goal is to pursue forensic medicine, as it perfectly combines my love for criminology and medicine. I listen to a lot of forensic podcasts. The crime scenes, investigations, and the pursuit of justice for both the deceased and their families really motivated me to pursue forensic medicine.
What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
I’ve connected my interests to various pursuits, such as science research and leadership. I served as an international chapter leader for Medicine for Youth, a medical organization I founded on Instagram with over twenty thousand followers. I also interned in pharmacology at biomedicine under the mentorship of a PhD candidate at Vanderbilt University and participated in the Chem Biomed summer research program.
Additionally, I completed STEM-related challenges and won twice in my school's Champion for Your World video competition, which focuses on climate change and sustainability. I was also a 2025 youth ambassador for the World Literacy Foundation Program, which aims to eradicate illiteracy globally. I’ve been keeping myself very busy!
Fellowship Experience
What was your favorite part about the Summit STEM Fellowship?
This summer, many of the sessions really stood out to me. The amount of mentorship available and all of the resources provided, along with the international accessibility, are just amazing. One session that really resonated with me was Isabella's Fireside Chat on turning ideas into reality, which was super inspiring and motivating. I also found Isaac's Fireside Chat on industry versus academia very useful for understanding different career prospects. Jiwoo’s Fireside Chat about following the North Star guide resonated with me a lot in relation to my interest in medicine, providing valuable direction for my future path.
What are some specific skills or takeaways that you learned from the fellowship?
The first skill I’d love to highlight is taking the initiative and being able to bring your ideas into real, tangible action. It’s important to take that first step, plan it out, and create a comfortable schedule to see where it goes. Staying motivated and optimistic, regardless of setbacks, is key. I also developed stronger time management and decision-making skills, which are crucial as we reach adulthood.
Also, I really enjoyed the deliverables and actionables assigned to us because they helped us map out our goals for the future. For example, the deliverable for Anne Lee’s Fireside Chat, which focused on scholarship applications, really stood out to me. I was preparing to apply for the Immersed Education Essay Competition, and the timing was perfect. That assignment helped me brainstorm how to structure my application.
What advice would you give to future Summit STEM Fellows?
My advice would be to never be afraid to give it a shot. I love the quote, "You miss 100% of the chances you don't take." Whether you get accepted or rejected, what matters most is that you at least tried. Keep trying, stay motivated, manage your time wisely, and take advantage of this stage in life to explore as many new things as you can while you’re still young.
Also, I want to encourage anyone reading this to apply for The Summit STEM Fellowship. It’s truly worth it! The summer experience is life-changing, and the skills you gain will be vital tools for your long-term future. I’m looking forward to the future activities and programs Summit STEM will offer, and I’d love to be a part of them or even help as a peer ambassador!
Future Aspirations
What are your goals over the next five to ten years?
Over the next five to ten years, my goal is to graduate in biomedical sciences, ideally at a top university like Oxford in the UK or an Ivy League school in the US. I’m particularly interested in working in a forensics lab because it combines my interests in medicine and criminology. However, I’m still exploring different paths. I believe it’s okay to not know what major you’re interested in right now; pursuing something you love is vital.
Currently, I’m pursuing A levels along with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). I was inspired to take on the EPQ after hearing many of the mentors discuss their research experiences. Although I’m not an American citizen, I would love to participate in global research competitions and incorporate research into my coursework!
What have you been up to since the fellowship has ended?
Since the fellowship ended, I’ve been prioritizing my academic career, as well as building my social circle and taking on leadership roles. I attend Harrow International School, and I received a sixty percent scholarship.
Recently, I was selected to be the leader for Harrow Medics Society, which is quite difficult for someone who only transferred to this school a month ago! Our vision is to introduce students to a diverse array of medical fields, host interactive games, provide first-aid/CPR/other healthcare workshops, offer volunteering hours, and even design research posters/articles.
I feel so honored, and I believe The Summit STEM Fellowship helped me get the scholarship and leadership role because it motivated me to write detailed answers in my application and take risks toward my development. Thank you so much for everything this summer!
