South Middlesex Times

For Regina Bruce, a science teacher at Newark’s Technology High School and a Rutgers master’s student in biomedical sciences, the summer was an opportunity to hone her skills at the bench—a Rutgers New Jersey Medical School lab bench, to be precise.

Bruce participated as an unpaid educator in Rutgers’ inaugural Pathway to Scientist program. This initiative from the Rutgers University Office of Community Engagement links researchers at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) with Newark-area high school teachers and students.

“My lab colleagues helped me figure out ways to incorporate biomedical research practices into a high school science curriculum,” Bruce said. She studied “DNA extraction, DNA genotyping and other really cool techniques that I can teach my students.”

Working with J. Patrick O’Connor, an associate professor of orthopedics and a member of the Center for Immunity and Inflammation at NJMS, Bruce aimed to bring advanced scientific techniques into her classroom.

Launched this year and modeled on a similar initiative for Rutgers-Newark undergraduates, the high school pathway program aims to provide biomedical research opportunities to students and teachers in the Newark community. For about five weeks starting in mid-July, participants spend up to 20 hours a week working as assistants in separate NJMS labs.

Thaddaeus Diggs, director of community engagement for Rutgers Health, advertised the program by distributing fliers to Newark high schools. Of the 38 students and two teachers from 16 Newark high schools who applied, three participants—three students and Bruce—were selected.

William C. Gause, senior associate dean for research at NJMS, said the high school program serves as a bridge between Newark high schools and Rutgers scientists. “It’s a terrific springboard to college-level science,” Gause said. “It gives students and teachers a feel for what’s happening in an actual, active lab.”

Nan Gao, a professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience at NJMS as well as director for both pathway programs, hopes to expand the course but acknowledges challenges such as translating university-level laboratory practices into teachable high school science.

Gao also noted significant administrative burdens associated with recruiting high school student researchers and volunteer teachers for summer programs. However, he emphasized that NJMS will continue developing the program as long as interest remains.

Bruce's application stood out due to her experience pursuing a master’s degree while researching connections between alveolar bone loss and carotid artery calcification. Her desire to translate modern research techniques into high school curricula was particularly appealing.

“We have many students interested in research,” Bruce said. “As educators, we want to give our students exposure to the latest technologies and research methods.”

Deslie Ayerh, 17, one of three student participants from Weequahic High School spent his summer growing cells in Selvakumar Subbian’s laboratory at the Public Health Research Institute. Although unsure if biomedical research will be his future career path—considering marketing or business instead—Ayerh believes his experience will benefit him when applying to college.

“This gives me a head start on what students usually learn in college,” Ayerh said. “Putting down [on my resume] that I did this in high school will leave a good impression.”

According to Gause, this is precisely why the program exists: creating more interactions with the Newark community while serving as an outreach program for future medical school students.

“It’s a win-win for everybody,” Gause concluded.