JUPITER — Fifteen students and two science teachers from high schools across Palm Beach County have been selected to join the biomedical research laboratories of The Scripps Research Institute.
They will participate in the institute’s eighth annual Scripps Florida Kenan Fellows summer research internship program, June 11 to July 20.
Since its inception, more than 100 high school students and science teachers have completed the prestigious six-week program, which places interns in the biology and chemistry labs of the Institute’s Florida campus.
Working alongside Scripps Research scientists and engineers, Kenan Fellows make important contributions to the institute’s research initiatives while learning critical scientific skills and gaining valuable laboratory experience.
Interns assist with research on diverse topics ranging from neuroscience and cancer biology to medicinal chemistry and infectious diseases. Each Kenan Fellow is assigned a specific research project by their faculty mentor and presents the results of their project at an all-day seminar on the final day.
During the course of their internship, Kenan Fellows learn basic laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis, and more. In addition, interns attend special weekly seminars presented by Scripps Research faculty, offering an in-depth look at the latest research taking place on the Florida campus.
The 2012 Kenan Fellows represent schools located throughout Palm Beach County, from Belle Glade and Boca Raton to Jupiter and West Palm Beach. Also this summer, three previous Kenan Fellows will return to Scripps Florida as college undergraduates for a second, more intensive research internship. All three participated in the program as Palm Beach County high school students.
The ten-week undergraduate program includes workshops exploring research topics and offering guidance on applying for graduate school. Undergraduate interns also are required to develop and present a scientific poster at the end of the summer that describes the results of their research project.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our high school students and science teachers,” said Wendy Spielman King, K-12 Science manager for the School District of Palm Beach County.
“The scientists invest a great deal of time working with these students, but the incredible enthusiasm the interns bring to the labs they join makes it all worthwhile,” said Deborah Leach-Scampavia, director of education outreach for Scripps Florida.
The Scripps Florida Kenan Fellows summer research internship program is sponsored by the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, a foundation with a special interest in supporting K-12 education.
For more information contact Wendy Spielman King at 561-357-1152 or via email at wendy.spielman@palmbeachschools.org
2012 Scripps Florida Summer Interns
1. Sofiya Andreyeva, Palm Beach Gardens Community High School, Molecular Therapeutics Intern
2. Lorena Benitez, Atlantic Community High School, Metabolism and Aging Intern
3. Ricardo Canelo, John I. Leonard High School, Translational Research Institute Intern
4. Randell Doane, The Benjamin School, Metabolism and Aging Department Intern
5. Claire Dykas, Spanish River Community High School, Chemistry Intern
6. Lauren Fremont, Jupiter Community High School, Cancer Biology Intern
7. Kristina Garcia, Boca Raton Community High School, Infectology Intern
8. Alexandra Kaye, The Benjamin School, Neuroscience Intern
9. Angela Liang, Suncoast High School, Cancer Biology Intern
10. Hashna Manoharan, Florida Atlantic University High School, Neuroscience Intern
11. Courtney McEwen, Jupiter Community High School, Metabolism and Aging Intern
12. Ryan Meingasner, Seminole Ridge Community High School, Molecular Therapeutics Intern
13. Adrienne Propp, The Benjamin School, Metabolism and Aging Intern
14. Julia Rothschild, Suncoast High School, Cancer Biology Intern
15. Jordan Zeldin, Spanish River Community High
School, Infectology Intern High School Science Teachers
1. Lucas Basso, Palm Beach Central High School, Metabolism and Aging Intern
2. Samuel Jackson, Glades Central Community High School, Translational Research
Institute Intern
Undergraduates – Returning High School Students
1. Sergine Brutus, Emory University (Palm Beach Gardens Community High School graduate), Chemistry Intern
2. Yimin Chen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Atlantic Community High School graduate), Cancer Biology Intern
3. Kasey Haugen, University of Central Florida (William T. Dwyer High School graduate), Chemistry Intern
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