Students Graduate From a Summer of Science

CRISSP and CHOP-RISES scholars shared their research projects in a poster session during their graduation.

Congratulations are in order for this year’s graduates of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute’s summer internship programs. 30 undergraduates and 22 high school students celebrated the completion of their respective internships at the Abramson Pediatric Research Center Aug. 11 surrounded by their families, friends, and faculty mentors.

Undergraduates selected from universities across the country participated in the CHOP Research Institute Summer Scholars Program (CRISSP), a competitive internship that provides theoretical scientific knowledge, practical training in academic research, exposure to pediatric-focused research career paths, and mentorship of CHOP investigators.

Undergraduates from across the country participated in CRISSP.

Meanwhile, the high school students dedicated their summers to science through the CHOP Research Internship for Scholars and Emerging Scientists (CHOP-RISES), an intensive STEM-M (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine) internship program that runs for two consecutive summers and builds science confidence in high school students typically under-represented in research.

In CHOP-RISES I, a six-week internship, rising juniors dip their feet in the world of pediatric research. The students learn basic scientific techniques in their host labs and explore how research improves children’s health, while also participating in mentoring, college prep, STEM-M career exposure, and daily lunches for self-reflection and critical thinking. In CHOP-RISES II, an eight-week internship, the students train in research groups based on their interests, complete an independent research project, engage in shadowing opportunities, and participate in mentoring.

Scholars in the CHOP-RISES II program.

In both CRISSP and RISES, students had the unique opportunity to work with CHOP faculty who are leading experts in their respective fields and in the Research Institute’s world-class labs. Cornerstone sat down with one student representative from each program to learn more about their experiences.

Serenity Dean
Age: 16
School: Mastery Charter-Shoemaker Campus
Program: CHOP-RISES I
Host Lab: Joseph Zackular, PhD

Serenity Dean and fellow interns at their CHOP-RISES I graduation.

Why did you choose to enroll in the program, or how did you get involved?

From a very young age, I always had a strong interest in STEM, and my math and science classes and teachers had always been my favorite. I knew I liked STEM but never had the opportunity to be in a lab setting. My astronomy teacher told me and a few other students who he thought would be interested about the program, and I knew right away that I wanted to apply. I thought it would give me a chance to experience first-hand what working as a scientist would look like. 

What are some of your favorite experiences so far in the program?

Working in the lab was a huge highlight for me. I carried out experiments in a real lab setting. I spoke with other grad students who are passionate about science. It was great to learn about their projects as well as complete my own. 

How do you think the program has helped shape your dreams for the future?

This program had a huge impact on my future. Initially, I planned on going into chemical engineering. While I am not sure that I am ready to give that up, the program helped me discover my love for research and working in a lab. I also was introduced to other careers in the STEM field that I wasn’t aware of. This program taught me to have an open mind.

Vy Trinh-Nguyen
Age: 17
School: St. John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School
Program: CHOP-RISES II
Host Lab: Melanie Ruffner, MD, PhD

Vy Trinh-Nguyen at work in her host lab.

Why did you choose to enroll in the program, or how did you get involved?

I chose to enroll in the CHOP-RISES program because I was looking for a truly valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a real laboratory, and working at CHOP has been my lifelong dream. I was able to boost my presentation skills and get comfortable with sharing my research with other people. I also loved and enjoyed learning research skills to protect the well-being of our future generations.

What are some of your favorite experiences so far in the program?

My favorite experience this summer was the clinical shadowing with Cassie Kline, MD, in the oncology department at the CHOP Buerger Center. I learned more about the way a pediatrician treats their patients with love and care, and helps them and their families feel at peace. I also loved experimenting with the protein polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid and learning how it influences patients with eosinophilic esophagitis by performing multiple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays — also known as ELISAS, they detect certain proteins and other substances — with my other lab members.

How do you think the program has helped shape your dreams for the future?

My dream is for a career in the medical field to serve more people, especially children. This program prepared me for building this dream through in-person medical experiences and strong college preparatory sessions. From those weeks, I feel more mature in my critical thinking and more determined in making a confident and accurate decision for my future. I would like to thank the wonderful creators of this program for helping high school students like me deepen our knowledge of the medical field, and I hope this program branches out so that more students can participate.

Kennedy Redmon
Age: 21
University: Texas Christian University
Program: CRISSP
Host Lab: Lisa States, MD

Kennedy Redmon and fellow CRISSP interns.

Why did you choose to enroll in the program, or how did you get involved?

I learned about the CRISSP program as a high schooler because of my research internship through the Distance Learning Center at the University of Pennsylvania and CHOP. I had CRISSP mentors for my two summers there and would hear about the amazing opportunities it offered students. I remember thinking I would love to be a part of that program someday.

Given my strong predilection for Penn/CHOP over other institutions, I was truly excited and contemporaneously terrified because of the program’s selective and all-encompassing nature. However, something about these institutions was unparalleled to the rest. My involvement with CHOP manifested through my exposure to a multiplicity of resources and possibilities at a young age. CHOP’s sincere dedication to educating and inspiring youth to be vanguards of change in the field of medicine ultimately motivated me to apply.

What are some of your favorite experiences so far in the program?

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this program. However, if I had to choose, my favorite experience would be shadowing Jesse Taylor, MD, a plastic surgeon. I aspire to a career in reconstructive plastic surgery and never had the opportunity to observe a plastic surgeon back in my hometown, Dallas. In my eyes, Dr. Taylor is a quintessential doctor. He was so vibrant, fecund, and affable. It was truly admirable to see a physician be so energetic and ardent about their job and able to articulate that enthusiasm through his actions. He readily answered my questions throughout surgery, cracked jokes, and joined the surgical fellow and me for lunch, elucidating his down-to-earth persona. Meeting him and his team inspired me to carry myself in such a way one day. It was an experience I will never forget.

How do you think the program will help in your future career goals?

The CRISSP program prompted so much growth within me academically, professionally, and personally. My big takeaway from this program is to start by simply asking a question. Questions lead to multifarious conclusions that can guide us through the unknown. It was sometimes daunting to ask questions in the presence of outstanding students and world-class physicians, but through this, you acquire so much knowledge by having a sense of agency and taking the reins of your learning. Having the boldness and tenacity to reach out and collaborate with others when you don’t know something is compelling. I hope to carry this skill of being unapologetic in my pursuit of the unknown on my journey to becoming a doctor and a better individual overall.

For more information or to volunteer to host students next summer, please contact atop@chop.edu.