Here at Liberty Science Center, we're thrilled for another summer of our Partners in Science program!

Now entering its 32nd year, this program provides an opportunity for approximately 40 rising high school juniors and seniors to spend their summer conducting scientific research under the mentorship of a researcher at a university or hospital.

Are you a student interested in applying or do you know someone who would? The application can be found here.

This year, we're excited to also present a sister project to Partners in Science called Pathways! The Pathways program is for rising freshmen and sophomore students who will conduct research here at Liberty Science Center as they explore ways of communicating scientific research to the public.

The application for the Pathways program can be found here.

We are also excited this year to honor three Partners in Science alumni who were recognized as Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars! This is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.

Caleb Shi, Sharmi Shah, and Harshal Agarwal were selected among the top 300 international scholars from a pool of nearly 2000 entrants. Students were selected based on the rigor of their projects and have the potential to become world-changing scientists.

Caleb Shi from Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, NJ conducted his research at Stevens Institute of Technology under the mentorship of Dr. Robert Chang. His research in Quantitative Analysis of Mechanical Impact on Neurological Health Utilizing Cellular Models of Differentiated Neuroblastoma Cells can help us better understand traumatic brain injuries caused by mechanical forces that can lead to brain trauma and neurodegeneration. Neurodegeneration is the progressive loss of structure and function of neurons (cells in the nervous system that are responsible for transmitting information), and can eventually lead to their death.

Sharmi Shah from Colonia High School in Colonia NJ had conducted her research at Stevens Institute of Technology, under the mentorship of Dr. Yong Shi. Since the completion of her program with Partners in Science, she has continued her own research. Her research in Speech Intelligibility Analysis of Sound-Modulated Laser Signal Countermeasures aims to create a defense against LASER microphones by creating transparent irregular surface attachment on windows. LASER microphones are surveillance devices that acquire intel on conversations inside a room.

Harshal Agarwal from Dr. Ronald E McNair Academic High School in Jersey City, NJ conducted his research at Montclair State University, under the mentorship of Dr. Yeng Deng. He collaborated with his researcher to continue his own high school research through Partners in Science. His research in Using Stropharia Mushroom Mycelium (S. rugosoannulata) and Waste Treatment Residual for Filtration of Nitrate/Total Dissolved Nitrogen and Phosphate from Agricultural Runoff to Prevent Harmful Algae Blooms aims to develop a cost-efficient, effective, and eco-friendly method to prevent Harmful Algae Blooms. Harmful Algae Blooms are fatal to aquatic ecosystems, human health and water-reliant industries cause by unnatural increases in Nitrate and Phosphate content in water.

Congratulations to our amazing alumni!

For more information about our Partners in Science and Pathways programs, click here.

Partners in Science