Over the summer, the UK College of Medicine Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics welcomed a group of six high school students as part of their Summer Research Training Fellowship program.
Three of the selected students attend Lafayette High School, located nearby in Lexington. One student attends Western Hills High School in Franklin County, and two students traveled from Texas and Virginia to spend their summer in Kentucky and participate in this unique program.
For these students, it was anything but a typical summer break. They spent several weeks working side by side with faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students, learning not only about science but also about the process of doing science.
“Independent research experiences are fairly common for undergraduates, but it’s quite unique to find a program that gives high school students an opportunity to work in a laboratory setting doing bench work,” explained Sarah D’Orazio, PhD, professor and vice chair for education in the department.
The fellowship was established to provide students with an early glimpse into the actual pace, challenges, and rewards of laboratory work. Over eight weeks, students dive into background reading, practice key lab techniques, and gradually take ownership of their own experiments. By the program’s end, they were prepared to present their findings to the entire department through short oral presentations.
“It is our hope that this experience gives these students some clarity regarding their future career path. Whether they discover a passion for biomedical research or learn that it’s not the right path for them, this can be a valuable experience,” shared Dr. D’Orazio.
For these students, the experience was more than just a lab assignment — it was an invitation to see themselves in science, and a glimpse of the possibilities ahead.