2005 High School Fellowship Students - Front Row (L to R): Gina Luchini, Sonal Patel, Elizabeth Mitchell, Rebecca Barter, and Michael McKernan (Director of Education and Conferences). Back Row (L to R): Justin Pierre-Louis, Scott Trausch, Dr. Jim Stidham (Summer Scientist and High School Program Liason), Jim Dunleavey, and Nathaniel Jillette.

Each summer, students design and carry out a project in their research area. At the conclusion of the summer, students have the opportunity to share their results at a student symposium and in a final resarch paper.

2005 High School Fellowship Recipients:

Rebecca Barter, Maine School of Science and Mathematics
James Dunleavey, Sumner Memorial High School
Jonathan Hollenbeck, Mount Desert Island High School
Nathaniel Jillette, Lewiston High School
Gina Luchini, Ellsworth High School
Elizabeth Mitchell, Maine School of Science and Mathematics
Sonal Patel, Chatham Hall
Justin Pierre-Louis, The High School for Math, Science, and Engineering
Scott Traush, Parkway Central High School
Brendan Vosburgh, Amity Regional Senior High School

Select Student Profiles:

Nathaniel jillette

Hometown: Lisbon Falls, Maine
School: Lewiston High School (University of Maine, Machias)
Sponsor: Raymond Henry, Ph.D.
Research Title: "Down-Regulation of Carbonic Anhydrase Activity and Expression in the Gills of the Euryhaline Crab, Carcinus maenus, During Transfer from 10 to 32 ppt Salinity"

"For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to study marine biology. It was this desire that caused me to participate in most of the science courses that my school had to offer, as well as several summer sessions at the Acadia Institute of Oceanography. It was there that I first learned about the possibility of completing a summer fellowship at MDIBL. The experience has been a great opportunity for me; one that has allowed me to challenge myself. I have discovered that the process of finding the answers to life's questions drives the minds of millions in a determined fashion."

Gina Luchini

Hometown: Ellsworth, Maine
School: Ellsworth High School (Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute)
Sponsor: Susan Edwards, Ph.D.
Research Title: "pH Regulation in Fish by Sodium/Hydrogen Exchanger (NHE)"

"During my summer at MDIBL, I discovered many new interests and challenges. I loved being exposed to cutting edge research and enjoyed the challenge of working alongside students who were already well into their college career. Although I have taken many hands-on laboratory courses in high school, I wanted a more in-depth look at biology, and more time spent in laboratory situations. My experience at MDIBL fulfilled both wishes but allowing me to become completely engroseed in my project and spend all day in the lab if I needed to. I gained first hand knowledge from this experience and thoroughly enjoyed learning about science in a real-life situation."

Justin Pierre-Louis

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
School: The High School for Math, Science, and Engineering
Sponsor: John Forrest, Jr., M.D.
Research Title: "Elasmobranch Chloride Secretion"

"The appeal of the MDIBL High School Research Program, for me, is interrelated to my interest in science. Science on a whole has been a focus of mine since I was young. I remember watching 'Bill Nye the Science Guy' as a child and trying the experiments that he did on TV, at home. In more recent years, my interest in science has become focused on the specific fields of physics and biology. Thus, MDIBL has been the ideal institution for me. I love exploring nature, so the opportunity to work with marine organisms has been amazing."

Sonal Patel

Hometown: Danville, Virginia
School: Chatham Hall
Sponsor: J. Denry Sato, D. Phil.
Research Title: "Site-Directed Mutagensis of a Killifish Serum and Glucocorticoid-Regulated Kinase"

"At one point, there was no knowledge of molecules, DNA, or genetics. At one point, there was no knowledge of electrons, neutrons, or protons. That is, of course, the inherent nature of the world and what keeps scientists going: the compelling force of the unknown. The ability to discover something no one else has ever thought about before intrigues me. The ability that science has to uncover the key to how genes are transferred or the cure to a disease wets my interest. Science never ends and is always full of surprises. At MDIBL, I have enhanced my learning of science to an even greater degree. I have also discovered that the searching and experimenting involved in science is both an interest and an obstacle for me. Hopefully this challenging path will lead me toward a career that I continue to be passionate about."

For more information on the High School Fellowship program:
Michael McKernan
Director of Education
207-288-9880 ext. 102
internships@mdibl.org

Lauren Gilhooley
Education Assistant
207-288-9880, ext. 108
lauren.gilhooley@mdibl.org