Students Showcase Research at Close of Yale Neuroscience Summer Scholars Program

Four students from New Haven public high schools recently culminated an eight-week Yale Neuroscience Summer Scholars (YNSS) Program. They presented their research focused on neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation during a special program held in Brady Auditorium on August 23.

Each year, four YNSS scholars participate in a summer session that includes didactic education, hands-on training in laboratory techniques, and completing a supervised research project. Scholars engage in scientific workshops with Yale Pathology faculty and receive mentorship to prepare for future applications to college science programs. They also gain experience in reviewing scientific literature, conducting research in a laboratory, writing research summaries, and presenting research findings.

The program is made possible through the generous support of National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) grant1R25NS141167, and Department of Pathology at Yale School of Medicine.

This year’s scholars were Benjamin Korn of Wilbur Cross High School; Sarah Nakhi and Paigham Nasruddin of Hill Regional Career High School; and Jonay Flores-Liccien of Metropolitan Business Academy.

Benjamin’s mentors were Samuel G. Katz, MD, PhD, and Marcos Carpio, PhD. His research topic was, “From Cell Death to Cognitive Decline: Behavioral Studies of BOK-/-in the TAU Mouse Model”

Sarah’s mentors were Pallavi Gopal, MD, PhD, and Aditi Naskar, PhD, and she studied, ”Understanding TDP-43 Loss-of-Function in Ataxin-2 PolyQ Mice.”

Jonay’s mentors were Marcello DiStasio, MD, PhD, and Sagar Bhatta, PhD, and she presented on, “Detection of TTN Transcription in Human Tissues with PCR.”

Paigham’s mentors were Chen Liu, MD, PhD, and Michael Stankewich, PhD, and he studied, “Is COVID (SARS-CoV-2) in the Human Brain?”

The YNSS Program aims to equip talented high school students with the research skills, confidence, and practical knowledge needed for higher education and careers in neuroscience research and neuropathology. By engaging students in a comprehensive curriculum, YNSS prepares them to understand brain functions and apply this knowledge to real-world problems related to brain health and diseases, ensuring they are ready for future academic and professional challenges. In addition to faculty, Gina Della Porta, DHSc, MHS, director of Research Affairs, helps organize the program.