Four New Haven public high school students participated in the 2026 Yale Neuroscience Summer Scholars (YNSS) program, gaining research and educational experiences in neuroscience and related fields. The students—Daylin Calderon from Wilbur Cross High School, and Odeno Makomenaw, Yeendrol Norda, and Katherine Perez-Piscil from Engineering and Science University Magnet School (ESUMS)—were selected through a competitive application process.
The YNSS Scholars recently completed an eight-week session that began in June and included didactic education, hands-on training in laboratory techniques, and a supervised neuroscience research project. They learned about reviewing scientific literature, writing research summaries, presenting research findings, preparing for future college applications, and applying for New Haven Promise scholarships. They also met with representatives from undergraduate neuroscience programs at several universities to learn about required coursework and undergraduate research opportunities.
Students also attended educational and career exploration sessions that focused on:
- Brain metastasis in cancer, scientific career paths, and requirements for the medical school application process, with pathology doctoral student Kirby Gardner.
- Methods of studying the brain, neuroscience career planning, and advice for first-generation college students, with pathology doctoral student Luis Cuevas.
- The discipline of pathology and pathways to becoming a physician-scientist, with Pallavi Gopal, MD, PhD, associate professor of pathology and YNSS co-director.
- Translational research methods, study of rare diseases, and the importance of mentorship in science, with pathology doctoral student Angela Kim.
- Pathways to becoming a brain surgeon and the evolution of surgical care for patients with brain metastasis in cancer, with Veronica Chiang, MD, FAANS, professor of neurosurgery.
- History of neuropathology and the study of the brain through a guided tour of the Cushing Center at Yale, with Melissa Grafe, PhD, John R. Bumstead Librarian for Medical History & head of the Medical Historical Library.
- College application planning, financial aid basics, and essay writing, with Samantha O’Brien from the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
- Applying performance techniques used by musicians to connect with audiences for academic presentations, with Sofia Nunzia and Topher Mason, professional musicians and students in the Department of Music at Coastal Carolina University.
- Biomedical engineering applications and the relationship of neuroscience to endocrinology, immunology, and aging in neuroscience research, with Sathish Ramakrishnan, PhD, assistant professor of pathology, and Navya Padalia, research intern.
- The field of pathology and the role of pathologists in the diagnosis and care of patients, with Chen Liu, MD, PhD, Anthony N. Brady Professor, chair of pathology, and YNSS co-director.
- The role of autopsy in the diagnostic process and interactive case studies, with Harold Sanchez, MD, assistant professor of pathology.
- Neuroimmunology and how the immune system protects the brain, with Alayna Grzybowski, postgraduate associate, and Marcello DiStasio, MD, PhD, assistant professor of pathology.
- The role of the neuropathologist in a guided visit to the autopsy suite and a brain cutting demonstration, with Pallavi Gopal, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Pathology and Co-Director of YNSS.
- Using clinical trial data and patient samples to study cancer and other diseases, with Sam DeFina, pathology doctoral student.
- Engineering applications in neuroscience, including new technologies and translation of thoughts to actions, with Themis Kyriakides, PhD, professor of pathology.
- Applying lessons learned from YNSS to individual educational and career goals, with prior YNSS Scholars Jonay Flores-Liccien, Paigham Nasruddin, Benjamin Korn, and Sarah Nakhi.
- Using LinkedIn and other networking tools to identify future internship and career opportunities, with Gina Della Porta, DHSc, MHS, director of research affairs and YNSS program manager.
The YNSS program was made possible through the commitment of mentors, guest speakers, students, families, and assistance from pathology staff members Cristina Anes and Lorena Fonte. The program is supported by National Institutes of Health grant 1R25NS141167.