Emperor Science Award Winners 2018
Congratulations to Madison Held ’19 and Sameeran Das ’19 who were selected as award recipients of the Emperor Science Award program hosted by PBS and Stand Up To Cancer. The program is designed to empower high school students to become the next generation of scientists as they explore careers in cancer research and care through a unique mentoring opportunity.
Nearly 600 applications were received from eligible 10th- and 11th-grade students in 28 states throughout the U.S. who are interested in pursuing a career in science research and 100 recipients were awarded. Prominent scientists served as judges and evaluated the students’ applications: written essays submitted online this fall, addressing how cancer has affected them or their communities; how science can help find a cure for cancer; and if they become cancer researchers, what scientific fields would they study and why.
Award recipients will work with an esteemed university scientist on a rewarding multi-week cancer research project.
Madison Held’s essay focused on CRISPR and how it could be used to treat a type of breast cancer caused by a mutation in the TP53 gene. She is excited to learn more about the field of genetics and cancer research and has been meeting weekly via Skype with her paired mentor Christopher Plaisier, Ph.D., at Arizona State University. She shares, “My grandfather's death inspired me to learn more about cancer, and I'm really excited to learn more about the field of genetics and cancer research.”
Sameeran Das developed a strong interest in lab-based research and will be both conducting bench work in the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles and doing data analysis from home. He met with his paired mentor, Eva Mcghee, Ph.D., over spring break. He shares, “I feel very lucky to be chosen as a winner but even more lucky to have the opportunity to conduct high-level research regarding relevant issues in the field of cancer research.”
We are proud to recognize these students as Emperor Science Award recipients. Head of School Gary Krahn, Ph.D., shares, “At LJCDS we spend time inspiring students to learn ‘what is’ so they are prepared to create ‘what can be.’ Madison Held and Sameeran Das are shaping our future.”
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La Jolla, CA 92037
858-453-3440
© 2024 La Jolla Country Day School
Privacy Policy
COVID-19 Prevention Plan
