NEW LENOX (October 3, 2023) – A vital aspect of learning is to take what is learned in the classroom and put it to use in a real-world setting – which is exactly what senior International student Rina Jeong did this past summer. Rina took part in an amazing learning experience this summer, where she studied the potential of spike protein in VLP as SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

“I applied to the University of Pennsylvania Biomedical Research Academy for a summer program,” explains Rina, a senior at Providence Catholic. “I have always been interested in the Pre-med field, and I have heard this camp is one of the best and most prestigious camps for students seeking science career fields. I had to write essays and collect letters of recommendation, similar to the college application process. It was quite a process and I was excited to learn I was accepted into the program.”

Over the summer, Rina traveled to Pennsylvania to participate. She learned how to research from the professor of her journal club at the research academy, Dr. Zhao.

“I presented the potential of spike protein in VLP as SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and visited Lynch Laboratory thanks to Dr. Scott Poething, observing the lab and growth chamber spaces for research use,” says Rina. “Moreover, I conducted experiments exploring genome sequencing and my DNA type and extended my knowledge in various biology-related medical fields by participating in lectures taught by University of Pennsylvania professors and Ph.D. students.”

For Rina, one of the most impressive lectures was “Promoting Equity in Rationing and Beyond Through Disadvantage” by Dr. Harald Schmidt, which questioned the traditional allocation frameworks risk compounding existing income and racial/ethnic inequities.

“I contacted him later, and thankfully he offered a Zoom call meeting. I was granted an opportunity to ask questions and receive advice from an expert!” she says. “This sparked me to conduct my own research paper, analyzing disproportional COVID-19 infection and mortality rates in different racial groups in the U.S. from socio-economical and geographical differences.”

Throughout the camp, Rina developed her interest in the medical field more profoundly and extended her knowledge through various opportunities provided by the camp. “I seek to major in the pre-med field in college and minor in anthropology, further continuing my passion for research,” she adds. “After I realized my limits and changed my future path away from the engineering field, Mrs. Cichoracki was the teacher who introduced me to a love of science, especially Chemistry. Thanks to her, I was able to get accepted into the Biomedical Research Camp in a prestigious school, and I seek to continue my curiosity in science further in my future career path.”

Learn more about science and academics at Providence Catholic by visiting us online at www.providencecatholic.org.