Upper School Students Excel in College-Level Research Through UCI Partnership

This summer, 9 Upper School students with a passion for STEM fields gained valuable, first-hand experience in a college research environment, collaborating with leading experts in engineering, computer science, and more at the University of California, Irvine.

Now in its 22nd year, this unique partnership between St. Margaret’s and the UCI Samueli School of Engineering welcomed 9 students from the Class of 2027 as participants this summer. Coordinated by Upper School science teacher Jennifer Ross-Viola, students are matched with UCI faculty members in research areas tailored to their interests. Over several weeks, students worked on hands-on projects alongside professors and graduate students in UCI’s state-of-the-art labs.

The students shared their research at a showcase event held this week on the UCI campus, where parents, family, friends, UCI faculty, and members of St. Margaret’s professional community gathered to celebrate their achievements.  

Here are the Tartans who took part in a summer internship:

Project: “The Distal Exploratory Trainer: A Game-Based Device to Help Spinal Cord Injury Patients Rehabilitate Finger Movement” with Professor David Reinkensmeyer.

 

Project: “Electrospun Carbon Nanofiber Supports for PEMFC Catalysis” with Professor Iryna Zenyuk.

Project: “Waste to Wisdom: School Composting for a Circular Future” with Professor Kylie Peppler.

 

Project: “TRILENS-XG: Do three interpretable AI models agree on what makes a soccer shot dangerous?” with Professor Sitao Huang.

 

Project: “Effects of Bond Stiffness on Nanoparticle Attachment Rates Across scFv Affinity Variants” with Professor Jered Haun.

 

Project: “FLIM-Based Analysis of CSRP-1 Function in A549 & H1299 Cell Metabolism” with Professor Michelle Digman.

Project: “Investigating Alzheimer’s Plaques Through Fluorescence Imaging” with Professor Michelle Digman.