This summer, Swetha Chandrasekar, Mundelein High School junior, will be paired with a faculty research mentor at the University of Illinois Chicago and work full-time on a cancer research project. Chandrasekar is one of 30 students selected for ResearcHStart which connects cancer researchers at the University of Chicago, Rush University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University and University of Illinois-Chicago with top tier, science-focused students.
“We are proud of Swetha’s accomplishments and so pleased that her coursework at MHS has prepared her for acceptance to this cutting edge research opportunity,” said Dr. Anthony Kroll, Mundelein High School principal.
Nearly 300 students applied to the program. Chandrasekar is the second Mundelein High School student to be chosen for ResearcHStart. She’s eager to join the research team.
“I’m immensely grateful for my experiences at STEM camps and MHS classes that have allowed me to develop a fascination with biomedicine,” she said.“I’m thrilled to conduct real-world research for the first time, collaborate with peers/mentors, and dive into the realm of oncology. I hope to create advances - big or small - that play a role in bringing our world closer to understanding and treating cancer, “she explained.
Megan Mekinda, assistant director for cancer education at the University of Chicago Medicine’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, looks forward to educating the next generation of cancer clinicians and researchers, “We feel so fortunate to work with talented young people like Swetha. We can’t wait to get them in their labs and engage hands-on in groundbreaking cancer research.”
ResearcHStart is a one-year program for high school students. An associated two-year program, Chicago EYES on Cancer, fields high school and college students as well as high school faculty who participate as researchers while developing applications for the classroom. MHS has been represented in Chicago EYES as well. Participants in both programs undergo rigorous research training that is complemented by career development, a faculty lecture series and a network of faculty and peer mentors. The program, funded by the National Cancer Institute, culminates in a research symposium for family, friends and members of the scientific community.