The ADA Forsyth Institute welcomed high school students from around the Greater Boston area to the highly competitive Forsyth Student Scholars. The summer internship program inspires high schoolers to explore STEM careers with world-renowned scientists in our state-of-the art research facilities.
Students were assigned to labs within ADA Forsyth and mentored by Ph.D. scientists. Much more than learning lab processes and techniques that are essential to a successful career in STEM, they learn about the scientific journey to tackle fascinating problems.
“The pace of technological innovation is accelerating at a remarkable rate, and the countries that lead in the decades ahead will be those that develop the talent capable of driving that innovation,” said Ben Wu, D.D.S., Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Operating Officer at the ADA Forsyth Institute. “The United States needs a strong and growing STEM workforce more than ever—not simply to fill tomorrow’s jobs, but to remain competitive at the global level. We need more programs like Forsyth Student Scholars to inspire more young people by giving them the opportunity to see themselves as part of the team at the cutting edge of innovation.”
Each Student Scholar completed a personalized research project, with a final presentation at the end of the eight-week program. They also attended talks from ADA Forsyth scientists and special guests, including Khoi Nguyen, Ph.D., a biotech entrepreneur and member of the 2008 Forsyth Student Scholar program. Nguyen is co-founder of Boston-based startup Accelerated Muscle Biotechnologies, which provides access and support to small-angle X-ray diffraction experiments for muscle scientists around the world.
“At the beginning, I was learning and following along, but then about five weeks in, I’d already know how to do something, and I’ve done it multiple times,” said Irene Pang, who is entering her senior year at Newton South High School. “I think my favorite part was the PCR or the single-cell analysis, and I could actually see the results like right in front of me.”
Forsyth Student Scholars started in 1993 as the brainchild of Dr. Martin Taubman, a renowned Forsyth immunologist. Forsyth Student Scholars have gone on to complete a four-year college degree at a 95% clip; 53% went on to earn a graduate, medical, or professional degree, and 86% of alumni currently work in a science-related field.
Ramu Muthukaruppan, a student from Walpole entering his senior year, researched mechanisms of inflammation resolution in periodontitis. His learning experiences over the summer went far beyond what he learned in high school biology.
“Like most high schoolers, I didn’t have much exposure to the lab before this, so walking in, hearing about the different research objectives that the mentors have and what they’re doing in the lab was really cool,” said Muthukaruppan. “Being able to actually use lab equipment like the pipettes, work with cells, and understand what the thought process is that goes into the projects that are not only going in the lab, but the one I’m working on, and be able to take my own direction on that was really cool.”
For many, interest in science stemmed from personal experiences. Muthukaruppan experienced food allergies throughout his childhood; he read about science topics to learn more about them. Pang did the same to learn more about genetic diseases experienced by her family members.
Nav Garg, who is entering his junior year at Andover High School, dreams of being a dentist, particularly one who treats underprivileged youth. His interest in dentistry sparked through his family’s and his own troubles with oral health treatment.
“All those issues combined kind of promoted me along this path to be that applicable dentist that can help and serve communities, especially communities in third-world countries,” Garg said. “I wish I can go back to my hometown in India and serve them.”
Garg was a perfect match for Dr. Felicitas Bidlack’s lab, in which he performed research into tooth hypomineralization, a developmental defect common in areas of low socioeconomic status in which tooth enamel lacks essential minerals.
The first-hand experience in ADA Forsyth labs will be valuable for the 2026 Forsyth Student Scholars cohort, as they consider pursuing careers in STEM. Students beamed with pride as they completed their summer at ADA Forsyth, presenting their final research projects in the Institute’s seminar room in front of family, friends, and ADA Forsyth staff and faculty.
“I’ve always had interest in STEM, but I think this program really solidified it,” said Anlin Huang, a rising junior at Weston High School. “I had a really fun time being in the lab and getting to think through everything. So in the future, I’m definitely still going to want to go the STEM path.”
