55. DSRP: Pursuing Science Research Independently

The Dalton Science Research Program (DSRP) supports High School students’ independent research in labs with research mentors. Participant Elana Simon ’14 is pictured at the White House with President Obama.

Since 2011, the Dalton Science Research Program (DSRP) has supported High School student’s independent research. From a pilot year of four students to a current cohort of over 25 students, students learn a variety of skills including an engineering approach to problem solving, biological techniques, scientific journal reading, and advanced biology concepts. Once ninth grade students become acquainted with independent research, they are eligible to join DSRP. In the summer between school years, students work in science research labs in the New York City area where research team members mentor them. In subsequent summers they may pursue a research question of their own with lab support. A graduate of the program, Elana Simon, Class of 2014, worked on identifying a genetic abnormality that might be a cause of a cancer called fibro lamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, which afflicts about 200 adolescents and young adults a year world-wide. She is a co-first author of an article in Science magazine. Elana was honored to introduce President Obama at the White House Precision Medicine announcement.
—Lisa Brizzolara, Director of STEM, High School Science Teacher

“Without DSRP, I would have never known about the possibilities of doing research in a real laboratory at the level of professional scientists. Having the experience of working in a lab taught me so much about the world of professional science and the scientific method, It also taught me about what working in an adult work environment is like. I have a much sharper idea now of what I want to do later in my life and that is a blessing.”
—Brendon Roth ’18