Project SEED Draws, Mentors Future STEM Students
This summer, six area high school students are experiencing hands-on research as part of Project SEED, an initiative that provides high-achieving, economically disadvantaged high school students an opportunity to define a STEM-related (science, technology, engineering and math) research project.
The eight-week program was launched by Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Dr. Jennifer Aitken, who puts students in a university lab working alongside a Duquesne faculty or graduate student mentor.
“Project SEED works to encourage, empower and inspire students to pursue a career in the chemical sciences,” said Aitken, who directs the program. “The mentoring is the most important part and has made a big impact on many of our alumni. Several say that the program helped to shape their careers and even change their lives.”
The following students began Project SEED on June 15 and will participate through Friday, Aug. 4:
- Israa Abdulmuttaleb – Allderdice
- Bryonna Beeson – Shaler
- Danielle Beres – West Mifflin
- Gildas Kodjo – Sto-Rox
- Zayauna Liddell – Obama Academy
- Asia Parker – Carrick.
When the program concludes, students will present their results at the annual Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Summer Research Symposium on Friday, July 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Bayer Learning Center and Mellon Hall of Science. Presentations range from Fluorescent Sensors for Detecting Lead in Drinking Water to Mutagenesis of Serotonin Transporter for Structural Characterization.
Since it was launched in 2003, Project SEED has hosted more than 60 students. Nearly two-thirds have been female, and more than half have been African-American, Hispanic or biracial students—all under-represented groups in STEM-related careers.
Project SEED is funded by the American Chemical Society (ACS), the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh, the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh and the local Pittsburgh Section of the ACS.
