• SLPS Students Excel in Washington University’s Young Scientist Program

    young scientists




     
     
     
     
     
    Seven SLPS high school students were selected for the Summer Focus program at Washington University School of Medicine this summer, completing two-month research projects under the leadership of PhD and MD/PhD candidates who volunteer their time to teach and mentor the students.

    Summer Focus is one of three main components of the university’s Young Scientist Program. Founded in 1991 by two MD/PhD students, YSP is designed to attract high school students into scientific careers through activities emphasizing hands-on research and individualized contact between young people and active scientists.

    Summer Focus provides outstanding high school students with funded research internships. Each student works directly with two graduate students, a mentor and a tutor. The mentor works one-on-one with the student in the lab on a specific project, while the tutor prepares the student for his or her research experience. Approximately 14 students are selected each year from a competitive application and interview process, and each participating student wraps up the experience by writing a scientific paper and making a presentation.

    The following SLPS students participated in the 2013 Summer Focus program:

    • Jordan Banks, Metro Academic & Classical High School, Effects of transcription Factor CarD on transcription initiation in mycobacterium tuberculosis
    • Montellia Gant, Carnahan High School of the Future, Modulating Perillpin 5 in Hela cells
    • Alexis Garrett, Gateway STEM High School, A screening assay for autoantibodies against ADAMTS13 TSP8 domain in TTP patients
    • Malachi Griggs, Soldan International Studies High School, Exploring the drug specificity of the small mutidrug resistant transporter EMrE
    • Michaela Langston, Gateway STEM High School, The C. elegans t28f3.3 zinc finger importer may play a role in normal reproduction
    • Kayla Pham, Cleveland NJROTC Academy, Cancer and aging: how does p38 regulate SASP via transcription and mRNA stability
    • Jazell Williams, Gateway STEM High School, Are climate related changes in plant phenology affecting patterns of pollen deposition and reproductive success?

    The other two main components of the Young Scientist Program are available throughout the school year.

    1.      Teaching Teams: Small groups of volunteers lead hands-on demonstrations in the classroom and provide students with science-related outings and field trips.

    2.      Teaching Kits: Washington University School of Medicine provides teachers with materials and easy, science-related experiments that can be completed in the classroom.

    The Young Scientist Program also provides an ongoing mentoring program at Soldan International Studies High School.

    To take advantage of YSP, please contact Lorren Buck at 314-362-7456 or dbbs-ysp@wusm.wustl.edu.