2021 Virtual Summer Research Symposium

Featuring SpHERES researchers, POETS Young Scholars, & Grainger Engineering Young Scholars

Friday, July 30, 2021   |    1:00-3:20pm Poster Presentations    |    3:30-4:00 Awards Ceremony

On Friday, July 30, 2021, the twenty-three high school researchers who participated in this summer’s research experience for high school students will come to an end with this showcase and celebration. Presenters and their mentors participated in 7 weeks of study and research with the Center for Power Optimization and Electro-thermal Systems (POETS) Young Scholars program, the Sparking High Schooler’s Excitement for Research in Engineering and Science (SpHERES) program, and the Grainger Engineering Young Scholars (GEnYuS) program.

This symposium will feature the remote research projects from 12 different research groups. The high school students were mentored by faculty and students at the University of Illinois, and high school educators provided an added layer of mentoring during this expanded virtual experience.

View the Symposium Schedule

Symposium Posters

Sparking High Schooler’s Excitement for Research in Engineering and Science

Coordinator: Dot Gordon, EBICS

SpHERES Logo

Research Mentors: Quang Nguyen, Amanda Weiss, Mimi Weary, Dr. Martha Gillette (School of Molecular & Cellular Biology)

Teacher Mentor: LaTina Taylor (Chicago Pre-College Science & Engineering program)

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Research Mentors: Evin Kilicarslan, Gelson Pagán-Díaz, Dr. Rashid Bashir (Bioengineering)

Teacher Mentor: LaTina Taylor (Chicago Pre-College Science & Engineering program)

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Research Mentors: Ryan Miller, Kai Yu Huang, Dr. Hyunjoon Kong (Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering)

Teacher Mentor: LaToya Wilson (Urban Prep Bronzeville)

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Center for Power Optimization and Electrothermal Systems (POETS) Young Scholars

Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation: Research Experience and Mentoring (EFRI REM) Young Scholars

Coordinators: Jessica Perez & Joe Muskin

POETS Logo

Research Mentors: Dr. Matthew Alonso, Dr. Bruce Elliott-Litchfield (POETS)

Teacher Mentor: Thomas Gelsthorpe (Central HS)

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Research Mentors: Dr. Bruce Elliott-Litchfield (POETS)

Teacher Mentor: Cynthia Smyser (University HS)

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Research Mentors: Dr. Matthew Alonso, Dr. Bruce Elliott-Litchfield (POETS) 

Teacher Mentor: Thomas Gelsthorpe (Central HS)

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Research Mentors: Jon Dewitt Dalisay, Dr. Alexander Vakakis, Dr. Sameh Tawfick (EFRI NewLAW) 

Teacher Mentor: Jay Hooper (Centennial HS)

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Grainger Engineering Young Scholars (GEnYuS)

Coordinators: Lara Hebert and Marie-Pierre Lassiva-Moulin

Grainger Engineering Block I

Research Mentors: Kevin Kleiner, Sonali Joshi, Dr. Lucas Wagner (Physics)

Teacher Mentor: Elizabeth Ohr (Urbana HS)

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Resizing of aircraft tail poster by Lionel and Bethany
Resizing of aircraft tail poster by Lionel and Bethany
Research Mentors: Elias Waddington, Matt Lauer, Dr. Phillip Ansell (CHEETA)

Teacher Mentor: Geniene Minkus (Wolcott Prep)

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Research Mentors: Patrick Carzon, Dr. Jacquelyn Noronha-Hostler (Physics)

Teacher Mentor: Smadar Bergman (Englewood STEM Acad)

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Research poster of Biometrics Enabled Wearable Device (Smart Vest)
Research poster of Biometrics Enabled Wearable Device (Smart Vest)
Research Mentors: Adia Redecka, Alyssa Bradshaw, Dr. Holly Golecki (Bioengineering) 

Teacher Mentor: Steve Nystrom (Arlington Tech)

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Research Mentors: Safura Sharifi, Will Huie, Dr. Jake Covey & Dr. Elizabeth Goldschmidt (Physics & IQUIST)

Teacher Mentor: Latoya Wilson (Urban Prep Bronzeville)

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Research Mentors: Kevin Kleiner, Sonali Joshi, Dr. Lucas Wagner (Physics)

Teacher Mentor: Elizabeth Ohr (Urbana HS)

Near-Peer Mentor: América Duran

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