Terra North Jersey STEM Fair (TNJSF), March 22-23, 2025

Kean University’s School of Integrative Science and Technology

I am a junior at Tenafly High School. My project focuses on improving the widely used data that identifies genetic causes of various diseases, including cancer and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), using epigenetics and gene editing. Outside of this project, I am highly interested in science research, especially in the field of Cell Biology, Genetics, and pharmaceutical sciences. I had multiple lab internships over the past few years to broaden my knowledge in these fields and in the methods of science research in general. I presented my project at science fairs, including TNJSF and NJAS where I received multiple awards. Besides research, I am an officer of the school biology club and a member of the chemistry club. I am currently the only high school member in the Korean American Society in Biotech and Pharmaceuticals. I hope that my research will be a helpful contribution to the identification and potential treatment of various diseases, including Cancer

Career Goals: Next summer, I plan to continue working on improving my project and acquire more experience and knowledge in the field of epigenetics. After graduation, I plan to major in pharmaceutical science with the hope of contributing to the advancement of biomedical and pharmaceutical research.

Research has been an integral part of my high school experience, and my connection to scientific exploration. I have been in the Science Research Honors Program at my high school for the past three years. I love to study the natural sciences, especially biology, where areas such as cancer research and drug development have the potential to impact the lives of so many people. For my recent research project, I have been especially interested in bringing together the applications of oncology and computer science, wielding the latest technological innovations to enhance treatment options and patient experience.

Career Goals: I hope to further my passion and experience in research during my years in college. In the fall, I will be attending Princeton University where I plan to study Operational Research and Financial Engineering, with a minor in Statistics and Machine Learning. I hope to contribute to the advancement of personalized medicine, making more accurate and accessible treatment options for patients. I believe that the study of quantitative data is key to future groundbreaking discoveries, and I hope to be part of the effort to incorporate statistical studies into cancer research.

Olivia Zhang is a student researcher with a strong interest in cancer biology, molecular genetics, and medical ethics. Her curiosity about genetic variation began in childhood, when she learned about the mutations that create four-leaf clovers. This curiosity evolved into hands-on research in high school. Currently, she has studied biomarkers in circulating tumor DNA from breast cancer patients with mentorship from scientists at the Cleveland Clinic. In this project, she developed a machine learning pipeline to identify genetic drivers of metastasis, which she then used to create a SNP-risk assessment tool that connects specific mutations to related malignancies and matches patients with clinical trials within a 50-mile radius. Furthermore, Olivia is leading an independent project researching and designing a cryotherapy glove using phase-change materials to help prevent CIPN, supported by recruited teammates and faculty from Johns Hopkins University. Alongside her scientific work, Olivia has researched the ethical challenges of xenotransplantation under the mentorship of a Georgetown University professor and contributes to the publication of Health Equity Style Guides at NYU.

Career Goals: As she looks towards the future, Olivia aspires to become a surgical or hematologic oncologist and a practicing bioethicist.

Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF), April 1-3, 2025

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks

My name is Prithvi Krish, and my career aspiration is to become a cardiologist and serve the community with minimal or no cost, especially for people in need. I am a very sincere, honest and hard-working student with an ambition of making a meaningful impact on our community and saving many precious lives. I am currently implementing this goal through my afterschool research which focuses on Liver Cancer. Last year, I conducted research on a protein called SRPK1 to determine its therapeutic potential to treat Liver Cancer. This project was a great success as I collected promising data that reflects SRPK1’s therapeutic potential. Similar to finding the treatment for a disease, discovering effective diagnostic methods are equally important and essential. My current research aims to diagnose Liver Cancer using a patient’s blood sample unlike an invasive Liver Biopsy surgery. Using my research experience, I aim to develop cost-effective/innovative treatments for society’s health problems. Perhaps, I will introduce noninvasive therapeutic and diagnostic methods that can be used universally to decrease the mortality rates of patients suffering devastating diseases.

My name is Grace John, and I am a junior at Central High School in Philadelphia with a strong interest in science and cancer research. Since 10th grade, I have been conducting research at Fox Chase Cancer Center in the Whitaker Lab under principal investigator Dr. Amy Whitaker and mentor Dr. Elham Ahanin, where I study the base excision repair (BER) pathway. My work focuses on understanding how the enzymes APE1 and PolB contribute to repairing damaged DNA within the KRAS G4 promoter region. This hands-on experience has deepened my understanding of molecular biology and strengthened my commitment to scientific research.

Career Goals: In the future, I hope to become a compassionate healthcare provider who not only treats patients but also engages in meaningful research that addresses the root causes of health disparities. I am deeply committed to uplifting marginalized communities, ensuring that every individual has access to quality care and health education. My goal is to bridge the gap between science and society, using both medicine and research as tools for equity and empowerment.

I’m Ryan Wang and I’m a junior at the Haverford School. I find it incredible that we can research and tackle complex and pressing issues like cancer at such a deep level, even more so that I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to field work as a high school student. While researching T cell responses to immunotherapies, I furthered my interest in cancer research, seeing how much we currently know and how much more there is to learn. Research is an amazing way to develop your mind, and it is something that can make a tangible difference in the world. Aside from research, I enjoy playing and composing music, philosophy, chemistry, and sightseeing.

Career goals: As of now, I’m hoping to either work in biology or become a doctor, although I am still exploring different fields of study.