A group of former TST BOCES New Visions students are now published authors in a peer-reviewed scientific research article, contributing to work in plant biotechnology alongside researchers from Cornell University and the United States Department of Agriculture.
The article, published March 15, 2026 in Frontiers in Plant Science (Volume 17, Plant Biotechnology section), includes several former New Visions students among its authors: Martin Stallone (Lansing CSD ’21), Brian Chang (Lansing CSD ’22), Elijah Schechter (Trumansburg CSD ’22), and Chase Weeks-Purdy (Trumansburg CSD ’24), who all contributed to the research during their time in the New Visions Life Sciences program.
Being credited as an author on a peer-reviewed research article means contributing to the work in a real, meaningful way. It’s something most students don’t experience until college or doctoral work. For these students, that opportunity came in high school through their New Visions Life Science program, where they were able to step into active research and contribute alongside researchers at Cornell University and assist in work aimed at solving some of the world’s biggest problems, including the citrus greening disease which is decimating Florida’s citrus industry.
Students in the New Visions program worked alongside research mentor Dr. Michelle Heck on active scientific projects in her lab, contributing to her research by collecting and analyzing data. In the lab, students explored new approaches to plant bioengineering studying how naturally occurring bacteria can be used to help plants produce and deliver beneficial molecules without altering their DNA. This type of research has the potential to support plant health and disease management in agriculture. Through this partnership, students not only worked in Dr. Heck’s lab on Cornell’s campus but also had the opportunity to assist at the USDA research center in Florida.
“It was always an honor to supervise students in this capacity and watch them become part of something meaningful,” said Michele Kline, former New Visions Life Sciences teacher. “This kind of opportunity has always been part of the New Visions partnership. I’ve seen students contribute to research, get published, and take part in work happening all over the world. It sets them up for what’s next.”
Experiences like this are at the heart of the New Visions program. Students are immersed in professional environments where they can explore career pathways, build meaningful connections, and contribute to real work in the field. These opportunities are made possible through partnerships with organizations like Cornell University, Cayuga Medical Center, and Ithaca College, along with educators who help guide students through the experience.
For these former students, their work is now part of a published scientific article. It’s something other researchers can now learn from and build on, and a rare accomplishment that all started just a few years ago in a New Visions classroom.
Read the full research article here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1754357/full#s7