Aspiring Scientists Program Accepting Applications for Summer 2010
Amanuel Shitaye, a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, measures carefully while working in Mason's Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine. Creative Services photo
Can a high school student get a patent? Believe it or not, some do. Temple Douglas, a 2009 high school participant in Mason’s Aspiring Scientists Progrm (ASSIP), submitted a patent for early diagnosis of Lyme disease and was recently named as a finalist in the Intel Science Talent Search Competition.
ASSIP, which provides high school juniors, seniors and college undergraduates interested in exploring science and medicine the opportunity to work alongside the university’s faculty researchers, is currently accepting applications for its summer 2010 session. Participants spend eight 40-hour weeks at Mason’s Prince William and Fairfax campuses working on real-world science projects related to global challenges such as cancer, HIV, biodefense and climate change.
Since the program offers exposure to levels of science that many aspiring researchers will not see until they enter the workforce, those who participate will likely have long-term career benefits. Eleven students from previous sessions have had their work published in scientific journals or presented at professional conferences.
Founded in 2007 by cancer researchers Lance Liotta and Emanuel Petricoin III, co-directors of Mason’s Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, the program is now in its fourth year and has nearly doubled in size with slots for 45 participants.
To learn more, visit http://eagle.gmu.edu/newsroom/800/.