MMI Preparatory School sophomore Jessica Zheng was selected to participate in The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program, which will be held virtually from June 28 to Aug. 5.

Zheng, who is the daughter of Hongzhi and De Zheng of Jim Thorpe, was one of 100 students who advanced to the final round of judging and one of approximately 60 to be selected for the program. Final applications were screened by a committee of Rockefeller Heads of Lab, postdocs and graduate students.

The Summer Science Research Program is designed to give high school students ages 16 and older a mentored biomedical research experience. Students will spend approximately 20 hours each week engaging in virtual events and home-based science projects that promote a deeper understanding of biomedical research and its relationship with society.

The students will attend core sessions throughout the week that will show diverse ways of approaching science experiments, with a focus on the styles of scientific reasoning, and integrate important social, political, and economic discussions related to science.

Additionally, groups of 10-12 students will receive an assigned research track and be mentored through the process by a team of scientists who are actively conducting research at The Rockefeller University. In addition to mentorship from the scientists, the students will be guided with their projects through a combination of lectures and skills-building activities. The group research projects help students learn the foundations and experimental techniques that are necessary to carry out their own research project.