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Research Philosophy
Research Philosophy
At the heart of the Young Researchers Program (YREP) is the belief that high school students are capable of making meaningful contributions to real-world science. YREP empowers students to engage in original research by placing them in a university-style lab environment—where projects are driven by inquiry, guided by experts in their respective fields, and grounded in the rigor of professional research culture. Whether exploring mangrove biomechanics, optical tweezing, or laser spectroscopy, students learn to ask big questions and use advanced tools to seek answers. Equally important is the dissemination of results: YREP emphasizes scientific communication through presentations at professional conferences such as the APS March Meeting and the APS Global Physics Summit. Collaboration is a cornerstone of the program, reflected in our alphabetical authorship policy—designed to celebrate shared effort, reduce competition, and foster a team-based research ethos. YREP invites students to not just learn science, but to do science—and to be seen, heard, and respected in the broader scientific community.
Student Testimonials
Student Testimonials
"“YREP gave me a home base — a place where I felt supported and inspired to explore new ideas. I built skills in conducting research, writing abstracts, and presenting data. With this insight into what real scientific research looks like, I feel ready to pursue scientific inquiry with confidence.""
-Lisel Green '26
"I've really enjoyed collaborating with YREP thus far, as it has given me more opportunities to share my work and research with others and discuss ideas with new people in the pursuit of scientific inquiry."
-Aaliyah Asghar '26
"I am so thrilled to be a part of YREP this year and connect my interests with practical experience. I'm looking forward to the research I'll be taking part in and the opportunities that await! YREP so far has been an extremely positive time, between learning on my feet and bonding with my fellow researchers."
-Lucas Praca '27
Research Projects
Research Projects
YREP includes research projects across a wide range of scientific fields. Use the links below to explore the different areas of inquiry and learn more about the ongoing work in each discipline
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