High School Students Inspire Future STEM Careers Through UT Southwestern STARS Program

Forty-eight high school seniors and two science teachers completed an eight-week research fellowship at UT Southwestern, culminating in a poster session where participants presented laboratory findings derived from patient blood samples, advanced imaging technologies, and circadian biology experiments.

Sophia Estrada Observes Heart Stem Cells Beating

Plano ISD Academy High School senior Sophia Estrada spent her summer working in the laboratory of Chengyi Tu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern. During the fellowship, she observed genetically reproduced heart stem cells beating rhythmically under a microscope.

Witnessing the fruits of our labor was a thrilling experience, especially realizing that a patient’s blood could generate a living heart muscle cell capable of potentially endless longevity.

Ms. Estrada participated in the program as a recipient of the Kathryn and Ashley H. Priddy Young Scientist Award, which funds the summer fellowship for outstanding high school students.

Jada Rice Develops Artificial Liver Disease Models

Other student participants focused on biomedical engineering and radiology applications during the eight-week program. The Hockaday School senior Jada Rice worked in the laboratory of Caroline de Gracia Lux, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Radiology, to develop artificial models aimed at improving noninvasive ultrasound imaging for a type of liver disease.

Though medical school was my initial goal, collaborating with biomedical engineering graduate students along with Ph.D. and M.D. trainees revealed my deep appreciation for the inventive problem-solving involved in creating novel technologies.

Evaluating Advanced Scan Quality

Grapevine High School senior Max Poveda evaluated scan quality produced by photon-counting CT in the laboratory of Xinhui Duan, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Radiology.

Throughout the investigation, my thoughts swirled with bewilderment and the persistent fear that comprehension was out of reach. Ultimately, finishing the program brought a profound sense of accomplishment upon seeing that I truly grasped the material.

Eden Duga Tests Auditory Cues in Mice

North Forney High School senior Eden Duga investigated whether auditory cues help mice remember where to go at the correct time to receive food, working in the circadian biology laboratory of Shin Yamazaki, Ph.D., Professor of Neuroscience.

My goal of practicing medicine and treating patients remains unchanged, though this fellowship motivates me to persistently look for paths that merge patient care with scientific investigation.

Decades of Mentorship and STEM Success

The Science Teacher Access to Resources at Southwestern program began 35 years ago under the direction of Lynn Tam, Ed.D., STARS Program Director.

It empowers students to transform curiosity into discovery. Students are introduced to science careers and establish a strong groundwork for their future scholarly and professional achievements by participating in mentorship, research projects, and presentation of findings.