RUI:OSIB: The Effects of High Disease Risk

As part of a research initiative, ILI will collaborate with Chapman University to evaluate a broader impacts program in which five undergraduate research assistants will each be paired with one local high school student. The program hopes to provide a student, who may not otherwise have a similar opportunity, the experience of working in a scientific laboratory. Under the guidance of the PI and postdoc, undergraduates will mentor OHS high school students who will contribute to the research. High school students will visit the lab once a week, to assist the undergraduates in their laboratory duties, and will have the opportunity to contribute to the dissemination strategy. The program will culminate with a dinner event where each high school student and their undergraduate mentor will be joined by a few selected underrepresented students from local middle schools, as well as parents, local science teachers, and representative scientists. The event will take place at Chapman University, where the middle school students will get a chance to visit the labs and learn about the experiences and research of the older students, thus diversifying the pipeline of STEM professionals.

Project Team: Monae Verbeke Ph.D.