Changing the Face of Science

SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT

Changing the Face of Science

Citizens Bank Celebrates Earth Day by Helping Build the Workforce of the Future

April 22, 2025

Earth Day serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to protect the planet, but for many organizations in Pittsburgh, that work happens every day. One such group is Citizens Science Lab, who was recently recognized by Citizens as a Champion in Action and awarded $50,000 and volunteer and promotional support to propel its work to open doors to STEM and green careers for students of color through hands-on learning and real work experience.

Science is life.

It’s in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the way we communicate. But though science touches us all, careers in the field may not seem accessible to all. “Only about 5% of Ph.Ds. in life sciences are made up of African Americans,” points out Dr. Andre Samuel. It’s something that Dr. Andre experienced growing up as a young boy in Washington, D.C., and dedicated his adult life to changing in his now home of Pittsburgh. “There’s just a huge misconception of what scientists have been in the past and what they should be,” he shares. That would not stop him from realizing his own vision of becoming a scientist and creating a game-changing nonprofit that provides equal opportunities to all.

Andre is the founder and Executive Director of The Citizen Science Lab. Founded in 2018, the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit and 2024 Citizens Champion in Action provides hands-on learning experiences and programs to help students in marginalized communities gain exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to build brighter futures.

Ph.D. Executive Director and founder of a growing nonprofit. Proud husband, father and music aficionado. It’s easy to see that Andre Samuel leads a very successful life. What’s not as visible is the challenging path it took to get there.

From an early age, Andre had a love for science that stemmed from trips to museums with his mom. Having had to overcome many personal challenges to get through college, upon graduation, he decided to focus his efforts on helping provide youth from similar backgrounds with the access and opportunity to pursue careers in science.

“From the time I was young, I loved science. I wanted to understand how things worked, not only on a mechanical level but on a biological level.”

After graduation, Andre went on to graduate school, where he developed a unique program that provided hands-on science learning experiences with students in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. He would be asked to continue the program upon graduation as part of a local nonprofit, which he excitedly accepted. After just three years, the program grew to become its own nonprofit.

The Citizen Science Lab was born. The program offers diverse, immersive summer camps and after-school programs where students can explore the intricacies of life sciences and learn to solve real-world problems using research, robotics, engineering and other skills.

The mission of The Citizen Science Lab is very simple: to add more scientists of color to the STEM field by breaking down barriers in STEM and promoting diversity and inclusion in the pursuit of knowledge.

“Working with Dr. Andre was a great experience, and it was really shocking to see a Black scientist in person. It encouraged me to look more to the science field,” shares Sa-nir, a program participant.

Andre has integrated another childhood passion into his program – hip-hop – which got him through difficult times. This makes learning about science cool and fun, engaging kids in programs like Micro Beats, where students mix microbiology, chemistry, artificial intelligence and hip-hop to learn all the skills necessary to become a scientist.

Students are also learning about sustainability and green technology. In the Ice-T after-school program, participants receive a paid stipend to learn as they create a living battery powered by bacteria found in mud, learning technical design and troubleshooting, electrical measurement and analysis.

Citizens recently recognized this program with its esteemed Champions in Action award in the category of renewable energy and energy efficiency. As a winner, The Citizen Science Lab will receive $50,000 in funding and promotional and volunteer support from Citizens to advance their efforts to promote renewable energy in Pittsburgh.

The impact of The Citizen Science Lab is evident in the students’ success. Graduates of the program have earned bachelor and doctorate degrees in engineering, biology and other disciplines. Some have come back to join The Citizen Science Lab staff to ensure other students have the same opportunity.

Today, The Citizen Science Lab has a staff of nearly 30 full and part-time employees and volunteers, who believe in the mission and Andre’s passion. Andre is proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish and even more excited about what’s to come.

Currently, the organization is renovating an old building in the Hill District to create a permanent home, what Andre refers to as “The YMCA of STEM.” The new center will combine science and art, adorning the walls with portraits depicting scientists of color. What’s more, Andre believes he has a blueprint of success he can bring to other cities and communities to have an even larger impact. “We are going to change the faces of science.”

Ready to help us build brighter futures for youth and our communities?

Citizens is dedicated to the success of our communities and ensuring that every individual has a chance to pursue their dreams and realize economic empowerment. Since its inception, Champions in Action has provided over $11 million in unrestricted funds to more than 380 deserving nonprofits that help strengthen our communities. Through its support of The Citizen Science Lab, the bank is helping build the workforce of the future and driving positive climate impact by igniting interest and opportunities in STEM and green jobs for students of color.