The Summer Scholar Program
Every year since 1993, The Forsyth Institute Student Scholars Summer Internship Program has welcomed high-school students into our labs. This program exposes students to the exciting and rewarding world of scientific research and teaches them how to conduct their own research. The students put these skills into practice by performing hands-on research side-by-side in the laboratory with world-renowned scientists engaged in cutting-edge research.
Program Recap
For the first time in three years, the program hosted students in-person again. This year, Forsyth welcomed an incredibly diverse group, representing a vast range of backgrounds and lived experiences, from 10 different Massachusetts cities/towns. While each student brought different perspectives and personalities, they all exhibited common strengths. Dr. Megan Pugach-Gordon, the program director, described them as “hard-working, kind, thoughtful, inquisitive, and highly driven.” John Kropowensky, the program coordinator, felt inspired by these students. He explained, “Not only are they incredibly bright and curious about the world of science, but they also have tremendous social/emotional intelligence and kindness.”
Final Presentation
The praises sung by the program director and coordinator were well deserved. The Student Scholars showcased all their hard-work by presenting their research to family, friends, and Forsyth faculty. They presented with poise and confidence and thoughtfully answered questions from the audience. Dr. Pugach-Gordan and John both saw this confidence growing “exponentially” over the summer as the students dove deeper into their work. After all the students had presented, ending their summer internship, Dr. Pugach-Gordan expressed “I’m so inspired by their strength and resilience and proud to call them my colleagues.”
Group Dynamic
Growing in research skills and confidence is to be expected in a program like this, but the students experienced the pleasant surprise of growing together as well. They dressed up as minions, played games, went on a boat ride, and worked together during their internship. For some, it was the first time they had been around people who had the same interests as them. Dr. Paguch-Gordan enjoyed watching the group dynamic come together. She recounted, “It was amazing to see the relationships the students formed, the kind, inclusive interactions between the students and the community we created, which was especially critical for them this summer after all they have been through over the past 2 1/2 years.”
Keep scrolling to see the bios of each Student Scholar and read about their personal experiences at Forsyth.
Student Scholars’ Bios and Experiences
Research Presentation Title
To study the effect of TM7 on mammalian Sialic Acid Utilization by its host Actinomyces odontolyticus
Anticipating Internship at Forsyth
I’m excited to gain a deeper understanding into the world of microbiology and bacteria. I want to learn more about the bacteria that is present around us and what we can learn from it.
Reflecting on the Experience
I learned science skills like presenting, reading scientific articles, software skills. Got a lot of advice and and learned to take it in then create something from it.
Favorite memory – playing games during lunch and learn sessions. There were some really crazy rounds of telephone.
About Divine
Music is my love language, I have a deep love and appreciation for the art of music. My favorite past time is creating playlists for my friends and discovering new artists. I am the happiest when attending concerts and theatre shows with my friends.
Research Presentation Title
In vitro measurement of release kinetics of drugs based on Beer-Lambert law
Anticipating Internship at Forsyth
This summer, I am most excited to learn fundamental skills regarding the scientific research process and broaden my understanding of the laboratory environment through first-hand experience.
Reflecting on the Experience
I learned how to properly use high caliber pipets, how to analyze data, and essential lab and scientific skills. Every step is crucial.
Favorite memory – creating a standard curve graph set and seeing that I was capable of accomplishing something great.
About Wesley
I very much enjoy running! I have been running for my school’s cross country/track and field team since middle school!
Research Presentation Title
Classification of Human Oral microbiome Nucleotide data by artificial intelligence
Anticipating Internship at Forsyth
I’m super excited to learn about how to code Artificial Intelligence and about bioinformatics.
Reflecting on the Experience
I learned a lot about bioinformatics, dry lab machine learning, and basics of coding. I also got some lab experience with DNA isolation steps of PCR.
Favorite memory – meeting people with the same interests, and the reward of completing a project that seemed overwhelming at first.
About Hanna
I love to challenge myself with high level scientific and math courses.
Research Presentation Title
The duality between the bacterial physiology of Actinomyces coupled with Nanosynbacter and XHP1
Anticipating Internship at Forsyth
I am excited to learn more about microbiology and science in general coupled with lab settings. Additionally, to expand my science knowledge and learn more specificities.
Reflecting on the Experience
This experience solidified my idea of what i want to do. I don’t want to go into dentistry but i definitely want to be in the science and lab setting.
Favorite memory – spotting bacteria and seeing growth after a suture chamber and also growing as a family with the group.
About Feodora
A fun fact about myself is that I am obsessed with Criminal Minds and reading new books.
Research Presentation Title
Using MicroCT analysis to determine the effect of miRNA deletion on bone metabolism
Anticipating Internship at Forsyth
Modern technology, lab equipment, and experienced scientists at Forsyth are a privilege that I haven’t experienced in the past, and hope to experience this summer.
Reflecting on the Experience
I learned pipet skills, how to do CT scans, and the process of PCR. I also learned PResentaiton skills and how to ried scientific papers.
Favorite memory – nailing down how to master pipetting.
About Abdelbagi
I like playing soccer.
Research Presentation Title
To study the effect of TM7 on mammalian Sialic Acid Utilization by its host Actinomycoses odontolyticus
Anticipating Internship at Forsyth
I am excited to learn about microorganisms and their behavior within a community, as well as begin to understand what research looks like in a laboratory setting.
Reflecting on the Experience
This summer changed my future. I had no clue what I wanted to do when I got here. I met amazing people in Dr. Kantarci’s lab and they shaped the idea that I want to work in labs in the future.
Favorite memory – we dressed up as minions and went to see the movie in theaters. The train ride there was a little bit embarrassing but really fun.
About Rebecca
My favorite movie is Surf’s Up.
Research Presentation Title
Cariogenicity: Investigating acid effects on inner vs. outer enamel, and identifying oral microbiota on tooth surfaces
Anticipating Internship at Forsyth
I am most excited to learn about the scientific aspect of enamel development in teeth.
Reflecting on the Experience
This improved my love for dentisry. I really want to learn more about the caries process and move from research to clinical to see how it affects patients.
Favorite memory – going on a boat ride on the Charles River and being in the oral microbiome lab.
About Martin
My favorite subjects are Biology and Math.
Research Presentation Title
Rothia inhabits Streptococcus mutans’ acid production
Anticipating Internship at Forsyth
I’m excited to learn what working in a lab is like.
Reflecting on the Experience
I learned what day to day life is like as a researcher. I had a cool learning experience with microbiology looking at the relationship between two species in the mouth.
Favorite memory – compiling all the data and seeing all the hard work come together to support my hypothesis.
About Theodore
My favorite color is orange.
I am excited to get real lab experience and learn about how a lab space should be handled. I am a big fan of pokemon.
Research Presentation Title
Hydrogel Mineralization for Dentin regeneration
Anticipating Internship at Forsyth
I am excited to get real lab experience and learn about how a lab space should be handled.
Reflecting on the Experience
About Russell
I am a big fan of pokemon.
Research Presentation Title
Classification of Human Oral microbiome Nucleotide data by artificial intelligence
Anticipating Internship at Forsyth
I am excited to learn to code from scratch and for it to potentially be used in a Clinical setting.
Reflecting on the Experience
This solidified my idea that I want to be in the science and lab setting, especially with the dry lab and coding.
Favorite memory – seeing my results come together in graphs and for the first time experiencing that I could be myself.
About Melenie
I have 3 sisters who I’m really close to and we love hanging out with each other.
Research Presentation Title
TM7x: How Does it Affect XH001’s Growth in Sialic Acid?
Anticipating Internship at Forsyth
I’m excited to learn about working with multiple people in a lab setting.
Reflecting on the Experience
This solidified that I want to be a medical examiner because I want to do more clinical work but I enjoyed the research.
Favorite memory – there were a bunch of little moments in the conference room hanging out with everyone and doing an experiment that hadn’t been done before.
About Cameron
I want to be a medical examiner.
Research Presentation Title
Investigation of Diabetic Bone Disease
Anticipating Internship at Forsyth
I am excited to learn more about lab work!
Reflecting on the Experience
I learned about the process of bone generation and how it affects people with diabetes.
Favorite memory – my first time working with animals and building teamwork.
About Isabella
I love taking care of my cat and my plants.
Research Presentation Title
Investigation of Diabetic Bone Disease
Anticipating Internship at Forsyth
I’m excited to do lab work and learn more about science and my project.
Reflecting on the Experience
I learned about mice work, cleaning bones, RNA isolation, and a mix of hands on and background work.
Favorite memory – going on a boat ride on the Charles River, and bonding together during lunch and learns.
About Morgan
I play volleyball, lacrosse and winter cheer leading.
