This summer, the SciHigh Youth Pathways Program at Northwestern University’s George M. O’Brien Kidney Resource Center had the privilege of shaping the futures of six extraordinary high school students. Selected from over 80 applicants across Illinois, these future scientists embarked on a journey into biomedical research. They were immersed in the cutting-edge work of the Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute (FCVRRI), where they spent five weeks building skills, expanding their knowledge, and making lasting connections.
The program kicked off with an orientation, where students were introduced to the program’s goals, staff, and mentors. This was followed by a mentor-student lunch, an opportunity to set expectations, establish personal goals, and begin developing meaningful relationships with their mentors. As the weeks progressed, participants engaged in a combination of workshops, lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on lab work, where they not only learned from experts but also contributed to the ongoing research within their labs.
The Sosa-Pineda Lab (Nephrology and Hypertension)
The Kapitsinou Lab (Nephrology and Hypertension)
The Park Lab (Nephrology and Hypertension)
One of the highlights of this summer was the SciHigh Alumni Panel. This inspiring session featured alumni, now in college at institutions such as UIUC and DePaul, and others still in high school, who shared their journeys, offering insights into navigating college life, applying to universities, and maximizing their connections at Northwestern.
Students also had the chance to explore Northwestern’s Evanston campus and visit the International Institute of Nanotechnology (IIN), where they experienced firsthand the cutting-edge research conducted at the Mirkin Lab. Graduate students guided them through the lab’s state-of-the-art facilities and led an interactive nano-experiment where students observed the reactions of gold nanoparticles when exposed to salt and sugar.
Throughout the program, students invested over 130 hours in lab research and participated in more than 30 hours of workshops and lectures. As the program came to a close, their hard work was celebrated with an end-of-program showcase. The event gathered mentors, families, peers, faculty, and friends to recognize the students’ achievements. Each student presented their research, followed by a Q&A session where they confidently shared their findings, impressing everyone with their depth of understanding and commitment.
We’re also thrilled to announce that nearly all of this year’s participants have extended their research journey by volunteering in their labs, continuing to build on the projects they started during SciHigh. This is a testament to the students’ dedication and hard work, as their mentors have not only agreed to keep them on board but have expressed how valuable their contributions have been. The positive feedback from mentors highlights the significant impact these students have made in their labs.
We invite you to explore a slideshow of the students' project posters.
As we reflect on the incredible growth of this year’s scholars, we look forward to staying connected with them and following their future academic and career successes. The SciHigh Class of 2025 is already on a promising path, and we can’t wait to see where they go next.