Neiyer Correal-Winters and his two sons Naige and Patrick read about groundbreaking CRISPR technology that allows rapid and efficient genome editing. Eager to try their hands with the technology, they obtained a family membership to BUGSS, ordered materials online, and developed their own CRISPR project under the guidance of lab staff and mentors. At the BUGSS lab, they are able to pursue this unique family activity!

Ella Coleman is a home schooled student who joined the BUGSS team for the International Genetically Engineered Machines competition (iGEM). The six high school students conceived of a project, engineering bacterial cells to degrade plastic and help clean up pollution in the Inner Harbor. Ella traveled to Boston with the team, delivered oral and poster presentations at the International Jamboree of high school and college students, talked about her work with faculty judges, and won a team bronze medal. The team’s incredible work was recognized with an article and video of Ella on the front page of the Baltimore Sun!

Rachael Avidor, Julius Gingles, and Mercedes Thompson are three students from Baltimore city high schools who participated in BUGSS’ 2016 iGEM team. While these three students had long been interested in science, the iGEM experience was unique in allowing them to take leadership and ownership of a scientific project. Each is continuing to excel on their scientific path, engaging in additional research at Johns Hopkins and the NIH, winning full scholarships to Brown and Johns Hopkins Universities, and founding Baltimore Beyond Plastic. These students will lead the scientific revolution of the next generation!