STEM

Mississippi State Vet Camp

During the summer before her senior year, Sarah Mae Fields ’25 went to Mississippi State for Vet Camp. A hands-on experience, the camp is led by veterinary medicine professors and current students. Through interactive labs, the campers gain extensive insight into veterinary medicine.

“I wanted to do this program because I’ve always wanted to be a vet. We worked with many different animals to see all sides of veterinary medicine and attended so many cool labs,” Sarah Mae said. 

Students learned clinical skills like performing canine exams and suturing – campers practiced their new skills on teddy bears.

“This program pushed me out of my comfort zone, showing me I am stronger than I thought when it comes to the more gross parts of veterinary medicine. It really deepened my interest and made me realize that this is something I would like to pursue,” said Sarah Mae. 

Loma Linda University and Advent Health University

Eva Ferdinand ’26 combined her interests in engineering and medicine this summer through a Biomedical Engineering course at Loma Linda University and a Healthcare Experience program at Advent Health University in collaboration with Innovus Florida. 

Her weeklong course at Loma Linda focused on post-stroke Pusher syndrome and developing a device to combat it, while her weeklong experience at Advent Health University explored multiple different healthcare fields. 

“Both of the experiences were invaluable,” Eva said. “The opportunity to use engineering to benefit those in need of healthcare innovation really piqued my interest, and I could not pass up the chance to get a closer look at specific fields of medicine and their pipelines.” 

At the end of her Healthcare Experience program, the students watched a viewing of a live robotic prostatectomy, inspiring Eva. 

“These programs were great examples of how engineering and medicine can come together. Getting the experience to work hands-on has given me a greater understanding and respect for those in these fields,” Eva said. 

Tufts Mini Medical School

While just a rising junior, McNaron Gray ’26 spent July learning what medical school entails. At Tufts University in Massachusetts, McNaron participated in Mini Medical School. This crash course on medical sciences and clinical skills exposes high school students to lectures, hands-on learning, and patient case studies. Her favorite rotations were suturing and anatomy lectures on thoracic and abdominal viscera and the nervous system. 

“Getting to share and discuss the same interests inside and outside of the classroom is very exciting and special. I have met high schoolers from all around the world who love studying medicine and are also enthusiastic about learning,” McNaron said.

At Mini Medical School, McNaron also worked on a capstone project, researching the relationship between Multiple Sclerosis and Epstein-Barr Virus, and presented her findings to her peers at the end of the program. 

“I have not only broadened my knowledge of medical sciences but participating in this program has shown me how I can apply the skills I have acquired as a student at St. Mary's in the real world,” McNaron said. “Whether it's using critical thinking in a trauma simulation or diagnosing illnesses, I can easily collaborate and have confidence in the classroom.”

St. Jude Research Immersion Program

Science came alive this summer for Yusra Siddiq ’25, who was selected to participate in the High School Research Immersion Program at St. Jude. She worked in the Computational Biology Department, focusing on using AI technologies to identify cell heterogeneity.  

“I am very interested in the medical field and any technology that advances cancer treatment,” said Yusra. “By doing this program, I have gained more exposure to research and solidified my interest in medicine before heading off to college.”

As part of the program, students have a research mentor and a science educator. This person asks the students meaningful questions regarding science to help students like Yusra prepare to write personal statements for their college applications. The eight-week program concludes with a community exhibition, where students showcase their research projects and scientific findings. 

“Through this program, I learned that I am capable of doing research and discovering advances in medicine that were never thought possible 10 years ago. My research has opened my eyes to a field that I would otherwise not have been able to experience,” said Yusra.