Welcome from Research Faculty

We are so incredibly grateful that we were able to gather in-person to celebrate the work of the ISR students at the end-of-year research symposium. The 2021-22 school year has allowed us to partially return to normal. Students have returned to in-person school, and in-person lab work has resumed for many students. Some science competitions took place in person. However, there were still many reminders of the ever-present pandemic - guest speakers zooming in, masks, increased restrictions on lab work for minors, periodic quarantine periods, and some remote competitions. Nonetheless, the students continued with their research and overall, have had a very successful year. You can find summaries of their work on this website, which includes poster presentations from all students, research papers from our seniors, and the location of each student’s internship.

We very much appreciate the 25 Principal Investigators (PIs) who currently mentor our juniors and seniors and the 9 other PIs who have signed on to work with the 10th graders (not to mention all of the post-docs, grad students, and research assistants who set aside time from their own projects to guide these students). Without all of them giving their time so generously, this program would not be possible. Thank you!

Thank you also to Dr. Weyburn, Ms. Hastings, Ms. Nunes, Ms. Kline, Dr. Benedis-Grab, Larry Le, Raoul Brown. the whole science department, the advisors, and countless others at Packer who support the work of these students. It truly takes the whole community to make this program such a success.

And last, but not least, thank you ISR students for continuing to do your best work despite the pandemic's ups and downs. You’ve learned how to code in a variety of languages, run western blots, perform gel electrophoresis and countless assays, tend to cell cultures, perform statistical analysis, exfoliate graphene, research extensive databases, genetically modify organisms, build and wire electronic devices, analyze mouse behavior, slice rat brains, and solve complex mathematical equations. You’ve improved your presentation and writing skills, you’ve collaborated with your peers and your lab group members and many of you have even earned recognition at a higher level for your work. A special nod to the following students:

Rafe Abdulali earned 1st place in physics in the NYC Metro JSHS preliminary round, 5th place overall in the NYC Metro finals round, and 3rd place in physical science posters at JSHS Nationals.
Ben Hofbauer earned 2nd place in engineering in the NYC Metro JSHS preliminary round.
Sophie Lesser earned 2nd place in chemistry in the NYC Metro JSHS preliminary round.
Nathalie Pridgen earned 3rd place in computer science in the NYC Metro JSHS preliminary round and 2nd place in cellular & molecular biology in the Terra NYC STEM Fair.
Dev Sangha earned 2nd place in engineering in the Terra NYC STEM Fair & received the Yale & Engineering Association Award.
Monica Somosi was an Oral Presentation participant in NYC Metro JSHS.
Sarah Thau earned 3rd place in biology in the NYC Metro JSHS preliminary round and 1st place in biochemistry in the Terra NYC STEM Fair.
Ella Zuckerman was the first author on a publication in the Journal of High Energy Astrophysics. Ella also earned 2nd place in physics in the NYC Metro JSHS preliminary round.