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Howard Hughes Medical Institute Student Scientist Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center Gives High School Students a Real Taste of Medicine

PHILADELPHIA (December 8, 2005) -- Matt Serota, a senior at Germantown Academy, was a participant in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)- funded Student Scientist Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center. This program places high school students in Fox Chase Cancer Center laboratories to work on current research projects.

Serota worked in the laboratory of Melvin Bosma, PhD and presented research on the microbiology of cancer. Serota gave a presentation on the research he had done, much like experienced researchers would do, to peers and medical staff at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

"I wanted to experience the field. I find the work to be thought provoking and fascinating, which is alluring for me. Plus, I wanted to try something new that I could find satisfaction in, research such as this," states Serota.

The Student Scientist Program gives students the chance to work one-on-one with a Fox Chase researcher after school and full time in the summer. The students learn science information and inquiry skills by conducting experiments, analyzing data and drawing conclusions over the course of a school year, culminating with student presentations to their school or community. This enhances the students' scientific skills while allowing them to experience the life of a scientist.