Noelle Koo, a junior at the Academies of Loudoun and Riverside High School, participated in the Summer Science Program (SSP), joining 35 other top science students from around the world online for academic challenge, collaboration and personal growth.

During five intense weeks this summer, she used wet lab techniques and modeling software to study an enzyme from a fungal pathogen, and to design a small molecule inhibitor to protect crops from that fungus. Koo and her colleagues spent more than 300 hours collecting and analyzing data in teams of three, overseen by experienced researchers. They also had the opportunity to engage with prominent guest speakers including two Nobel Laureates, physicist Eric Cornell and oncologist James Allison.

SSP is operated by an independent non-profit, in cooperation with host campuses New Mexico Tech, the University of Colorado Boulder, Purdue University and Indiana University. Its academic affiliates include Caltech, MIT and Harvey Mudd College. For complete information visit www.summerscience.org.

Since 1959, this unique and highly selective program has offered teenagers their first taste of hands-on, collaborative experimental research. Years and even decades later, alumni describe it as “the educational experience of a lifetime.” Most go on to earn advanced degrees and leadership roles in their chosen careers.

Published 8/10/21