The
program, designed to empower high school students to become the next generation
of scientists, assists students in exploring careers in cancer research and
care through a unique mentoring opportunity.
PBS and Stand Up To Cancer, a division of the Entertainment Industry
Foundation, received nearly 600 applications from eligible 10th and
11th grade students interested in pursuing a career in science
research from 28 states throughout the U.S. Prominent scientists served as judges and evaluated
the students’ applications: written essays submitted online this fall, addressing
how cancer has affected them or their communities; how science can help find a
cure for cancer; and, if able to become cancer researchers, what scientific
fields would they study and why.
Dr.
Nina Lavlinskaia, veteran AP Biology and AP Seminar teacher at High Tech, shows
great pride in Sarah’s accomplishments. “We are very proud of Sarah,” she says,
“We are wishing her good luck in the future as she peruses her passion of biological
and medical science.”
The
100 Emperor Science Award recipients will work with an esteemed university
scientist on a rewarding multi-week cancer research project, receive a Google
Chromebook computer to enhance their studies and to facilitate mentor access for
those students who live at a distance from their mentor’s research facility, and
a $1,500 stipend for expenses. Those entering the program for the first year
will also have the opportunity to apply for a second year.
Students
from rural, suburban and urban communities in 28 states comprise the third
class of Emperor Science Awardees. These students demonstrated awareness of emerging
developments in cancer treatment, including precision medicine, immunotherapy
and epigenetics, and have an impressive range of research focuses and
interests, including nanotechnology and engineering, basic cellular biology,
gene mapping, bioinformatics, DNA splicing and computational sciences.
Bacha, a junior at High Tech, loves science and has a passion for biomedicine. A
two-time recipient of the Young Science Achievers Program Grant and an avid member of her school’s Apiculture Research
Program, Bacha mentors underclassmen and teaches them how to conduct their own
experiments. She has also been a part of High Tech’s Envirothon team and
Science League for three years. Besides taking part in science, Sarah has membership in the school's French Club and she teaches children about science
in her free time.
