2020 — 2021
2020 — 2021
2020 — 2021
Summer STEM Institute Archives
Summer STEM Institute Archives
Summer STEM
Institute Archives
Summer STEM Institute Archives
Discover alumni projects, achievements,
and the impact of the program
Discover alumni projects, achievements,
and the impact of the program
Discover alumni projects, achievements,
and the impact of the program
Discover alumni projects, achievements,
and the impact of the program
Amari Lawal
SSI ‘20, England
Amari Lawal
SSI ‘20, England
Amari Lawal
SSI ‘20, England
Amari Lawal
SSI ‘20, England
Lorena Aguilar
SSI ‘20, Texas
Lorena Aguilar
SSI ‘20, Texas
Lorena Aguilar
SSI ‘20, Texas
Lorena Aguilar
SSI ‘20, Texas
Isabella Delbakhsh
SSI ‘20 & ‘21, Florida
Isabella Delbakhsh
SSI ‘20 & ‘21, Florida
Isabella Delbakhsh
SSI ‘20 & ‘21, Florida
Isabella Delbakhsh
SSI ‘20 & ‘21, Florida
Youssef Khalil
SSI ‘20 Alum, Egypt
Youssef Khalil
SSI ‘20 Alum, Egypt
Youssef Khalil
SSI ‘20 Alum, Egypt
Youssef Khalil
SSI ‘20 Alum, Egypt
Nisha Balaji
SSI ‘20, California
Nisha Balaji
SSI ‘20, California
Nisha Balaji
SSI ‘20, California
Nisha Balaji
SSI ‘20, California
Amanda Lopez
SSI ‘20, California
Amanda Lopez
SSI ‘20, California
Amanda Lopez
SSI ‘20, California
Amanda Lopez
SSI ‘20, California
Jean Yu
SSI ‘20, Georgia
Jean Yu
SSI ‘20, Georgia
Jacob Mansbach
SSI ‘20, California
Jacob Mansbach
SSI ‘20, California
Amanda Kossoff
SSI ‘20, Maryland
Amanda Kossoff
SSI ‘20, Maryland
Shokhrukhbek Y.
SSI ‘20, Uzbekistan
Shokhrukhbek Y.
SSI ‘20, Uzbekistan
The Summer STEM Institute (SSI) was a virtual summer program that launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. It provided high school students with research and learning opportunities at a time when many educational programs were paused. This page serves as a retrospective highlighting the program and our alumni. We’re incredibly proud of each and every one of them ♡
The Summer STEM Institute (SSI) was a virtual summer program that launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. It provided high school students with research and learning opportunities at a time when many educational programs were paused. This page serves as a retrospective highlighting the program and our alumni. We’re incredibly proud of each and every one of them ♡
The Summer STEM Institute (SSI) was a virtual summer program that launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. It provided high school students with research and learning opportunities at a time when many educational programs were paused. This page serves as a retrospective highlighting the program and our alumni. We’re incredibly proud of each and every one of them ♡
The Summer STEM Institute (SSI) was a virtual summer program that launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. It provided high school students with research and learning opportunities at a time when many educational programs were paused. This page serves as a retrospective highlighting the program and our alumni. We’re incredibly proud of each and every one of them ♡
Two Summers Wrapped
Two Summers Wrapped
Two Summers Wrapped
5,000
5,000
5,000
5,000
Applications
Applications
Applications
Applications
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
Alumni
Alumni
Alumni
Alumni
60
60
60
60
Countries
Countries
Countries
Countries
Impact in Our Alumni’s Words
Impact in Our Alumni’s Words
Impact in Our Alumni’s Words
Isabella Delbakhsh
Stanford • SSI ‘20, '21
The Summer STEM Institute changed the entire trajectory of my life. I applied at 14 seeking technical skills and mentorship, but what I gained went far beyond a resume project. Through SSI, I formed lifelong friendships and discovered opportunities I never knew existed. Nearly six years later, it remains a community I continue to constantly lean on, and I still turn to the mentors I met at 14 for guidance. Because of the program, I launched a podcast reaching 67+ countries, wrote an Amazon best-selling book, and went on to pursue my studies at Stanford University. This program is truly one of a kind, and I would not be at Stanford without it.
Isabella Delbakhsh
Stanford • SSI ‘20, '21
The Summer STEM Institute changed the entire trajectory of my life. I applied at 14 seeking technical skills and mentorship, but what I gained went far beyond a resume project. Through SSI, I formed lifelong friendships and discovered opportunities I never knew existed. Nearly six years later, it remains a community I continue to constantly lean on, and I still turn to the mentors I met at 14 for guidance. Because of the program, I launched a podcast reaching 67+ countries, wrote an Amazon best-selling book, and went on to pursue my studies at Stanford University. This program is truly one of a kind, and I would not be at Stanford without it.
Isabella Delbakhsh
Stanford • SSI ‘20, '21
The Summer STEM Institute changed the entire trajectory of my life. I applied at 14 seeking technical skills and mentorship, but what I gained went far beyond a resume project. Through SSI, I formed lifelong friendships and discovered opportunities I never knew existed. Nearly six years later, it remains a community I continue to constantly lean on, and I still turn to the mentors I met at 14 for guidance. Because of the program, I launched a podcast reaching 67+ countries, wrote an Amazon best-selling book, and went on to pursue my studies at Stanford University. This program is truly one of a kind, and I would not be at Stanford without it.
Isabella Delbakhsh
Stanford • SSI ‘20, '21
The Summer STEM Institute changed the entire trajectory of my life. I applied at 14 seeking technical skills and mentorship, but what I gained went far beyond a resume project. Through SSI, I formed lifelong friendships and discovered opportunities I never knew existed. Nearly six years later, it remains a community I continue to constantly lean on, and I still turn to the mentors I met at 14 for guidance. Because of the program, I launched a podcast reaching 67+ countries, wrote an Amazon best-selling book, and went on to pursue my studies at Stanford University. This program is truly one of a kind, and I would not be at Stanford without it.
Kevin Chen
Princeton • SSI ‘21
I can confidently say that SSI was the most formative academic experience of my early high school years. Over six memorable weeks, I completed a full mentored research project from start to finish, built a strong foundation in programming and data science through an intensive bootcamp, and gained invaluable practical advice on anything ranging from time management and conducting high school research to navigating the college application process. SSI didn't just teach me content; it taught me how to think, learn independently, and approach ambitious projects with confidence.
Kevin Chen
Princeton • SSI ‘21
I can confidently say that SSI was the most formative academic experience of my early high school years. Over six memorable weeks, I completed a full mentored research project from start to finish, built a strong foundation in programming and data science through an intensive bootcamp, and gained invaluable practical advice on anything ranging from time management and conducting high school research to navigating the college application process. SSI didn't just teach me content; it taught me how to think, learn independently, and approach ambitious projects with confidence.
Kevin Chen
Princeton • SSI ‘21
I can confidently say that SSI was the most formative academic experience of my early high school years. Over six memorable weeks, I completed a full mentored research project from start to finish, built a strong foundation in programming and data science through an intensive bootcamp, and gained invaluable practical advice on anything ranging from time management and conducting high school research to navigating the college application process. SSI didn't just teach me content; it taught me how to think, learn independently, and approach ambitious projects with confidence.
Kevin Chen
Princeton • SSI ‘21
I can confidently say that SSI was the most formative academic experience of my early high school years. Over six memorable weeks, I completed a full mentored research project from start to finish, built a strong foundation in programming and data science through an intensive bootcamp, and gained invaluable practical advice on anything ranging from time management and conducting high school research to navigating the college application process. SSI didn't just teach me content; it taught me how to think, learn independently, and approach ambitious projects with confidence.
Jean Yu
MIT • SSI ‘20
To say that SSI has had an influential impact on my trajectory in high school and even college career is an understatement. I consider SSI to be the “snowball” in the snowball effect, which provided me with momentum as I left the program with heightened hopes and aspirations to change the world. I was able to apply the data science and research skills I gained through SSI to my lab project, earning multiple honors, including a Grand Award in Cellular and Molecular Biology at ISEF, an Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the Southeastern Regional Yeast Meeting, and eventually recognition as a Regeneron STS Scholar.
Jean Yu
MIT • SSI ‘20
To say that SSI has had an influential impact on my trajectory in high school and even college career is an understatement. I consider SSI to be the “snowball” in the snowball effect, which provided me with momentum as I left the program with heightened hopes and aspirations to change the world. I was able to apply the data science and research skills I gained through SSI to my lab project, earning multiple honors, including a Grand Award in Cellular and Molecular Biology at ISEF, an Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the Southeastern Regional Yeast Meeting, and recognition as a Regeneron STS Scholar.
Jean Yu
MIT • SSI ‘20
To say that SSI has had an influential impact on my trajectory in high school and even college career is an understatement. I consider SSI to be the “snowball” in the snowball effect, which provided me with momentum as I left the program with heightened hopes and aspirations to change the world. I was able to apply the data science and research skills I gained through SSI to my lab project, earning multiple honors, including a Grand Award in Cellular and Molecular Biology at ISEF, an Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the Southeastern Regional Yeast Meeting, and eventually recognition as a Regeneron STS Scholar.
Jean Yu
MIT • SSI ‘20
To say that SSI has had an influential impact on my trajectory in high school and even college career is an understatement. I consider SSI to be the “snowball” in the snowball effect, which provided me with momentum as I left the program with heightened hopes and aspirations to change the world. I was able to apply the data science and research skills I gained through SSI to my lab project, earning multiple honors, including a Grand Award in Cellular and Molecular Biology at ISEF, an Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the Southeastern Regional Yeast Meeting, and eventually recognition as a Regeneron STS Scholar.
Distinguished Work
Distinguished Work
Distinguished Work
Distinguished Work
Each summer, SSI highlighted ten outstanding student papers and projects to celebrate student work. Below are the top selections from 2020 and 2021. Many of these students have gone on to pursue studies and careers in computer science, data science, and beyond, and we couldn’t be more proud!
Each summer, SSI highlighted ten outstanding student papers and projects to celebrate student work. Below are the top selections from 2020 and 2021. Many of these students have gone on to pursue studies and careers in computer science, data science, and beyond, and we couldn’t be more proud!
Each summer, SSI highlighted ten outstanding student papers and projects to celebrate student work. Below are the top selections from 2020 and 2021. Many of these students have gone on to pursue studies and careers in computer science, data science, and beyond, and we couldn’t be more proud!
Each summer, SSI highlighted ten outstanding student papers and projects to celebrate student work. Below are the top selections from 2020 and 2021. Many of these students have gone on to pursue studies and careers in computer science, data science, and beyond, and we couldn’t be more proud!
2021 Papers
2021 Papers
2021 Presentations
2021 Presentations
Interpretable Automated Diagnosis of Retinal Disease using Deep OCT Analysis
Evan Wen
Adapting Simulations for Ionization Cooling of Muons
Lila Jacks
Crop Yield Prediction Using Sentinel-2 Satellite Imagery and an Integrated Weather and Air Pollutant Data Layer
Karina Chung
Using Linear Function Approximation to Solve Classical Reinforcement Learning Challenges
Hari Srikanth
View all
Interpretable Automated Diagnosis of Retinal Disease using Deep OCT Analysis
Evan Wen
Adapting Simulations for Ionization Cooling of Muons
Lila Jacks
Crop Yield Prediction Using Sentinel-2 Satellite Imagery and an Integrated Weather and Air Pollutant Data Layer
Karina Chung
Using Linear Function Approximation to Solve Classical Reinforcement Learning Challenges
Hari Srikanth
View all
Interpretable Automated Diagnosis of Retinal Disease using Deep OCT Analysis
Evan Wen
Adapting Simulations for Ionization Cooling of Muons
Lila Jacks
Crop Yield Prediction Using Sentinel-2 Satellite Imagery and an Integrated Weather and Air Pollutant Data Layer
Karina Chung
Using Linear Function Approximation to Solve Classical Reinforcement Learning Challenges
Hari Srikanth
View all
2020 Papers
2020 Papers
Student Highlights
Student Highlights
Student Highlights
Student Highlights
Many SSI alumni have gone on to publish their research and earn recognition in national and international science competitions. In just two years, we are proud to have trained 45 International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) finalists and 24 ISEF Grand and Special Award recipients. Additionally, 18 alumni were named Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) scholars, including two national finalists.
Many SSI alumni have gone on to publish their research and earn recognition in national and international science competitions. In just two years, we are proud to have trained 45 International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) finalists and 24 ISEF Grand and Special Award recipients. Additionally, 18 alumni were named Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) scholars, including two national finalists.
Many SSI alumni have gone on to publish their research and earn recognition in national and international science competitions. In just two years, we are proud to have trained 45 International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) finalists and 24 ISEF Grand and Special Award recipients. Additionally, 18 alumni were named Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) scholars, including two national finalists.
Many SSI alumni have gone on to publish their research and earn recognition in national and international science competitions. In just two years, we are proud to have trained 45 International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) finalists and 24 ISEF Grand and Special Award recipients. Additionally, 18 alumni were named Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) scholars, including two national finalists.
Several alumni have also attended the Research Science Institute (RSI) and been selected for national and international Olympiad training programs, such as the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) and the Philippines Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP). It has been incredible to see SSI alumni continue to grow and all they have accomplished!
Several alumni have also attended the Research Science Institute (RSI) and been selected for national and international Olympiad training programs, such as the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) and the Philippines Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP). It has been incredible to see SSI alumni continue to grow and all they have accomplished!
Several alumni have also attended the Research Science Institute (RSI) and been selected for national and international Olympiad training programs, such as the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) and the Philippines Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP). It has been incredible to see SSI alumni continue to grow and all they have accomplished!
Several alumni have also attended the Research Science Institute (RSI) and been selected for national and international Olympiad training programs, such as the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) and the Philippines Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP). It has been incredible to see SSI alumni continue to grow and all they have accomplished!
ISEF Finalists
45
Eden Maxwell
2021
Arihant Singh
2022
Trisha Bheemanathini
2022
Ella Yee
2021
Cuthbert Steadman
2022
Varun Srivastava
2022
Irfan Nafi
2021
Daniel Lin
2022
William Gao
2022
Ishika Nag
2021
Irfan Nah
2022
Anooshka Pendyal
2023
Laasya Konidala
2021
Ishika Nag
2022
Anya Parambath
2023
Mazyar Azmi
2021
Jaden Luna
2022
Deeksha Khanna
2023
Minnie Liang
2021
Jean Yu
2022
Lauren Shen
2023
Nisha Balaji
2021
Kayla Sohn
2022
Minnie Liang
2023
Samantha Radinsky
2021
Lauren Shen
2022
Ourania-Maria Glezakou-Elbert
2023
Sarah Barksdale
2021
Minnie Liang
2022
Pranavi Khanna
2023
Siya Goel
2021
Ourania-Maria Glezakou-Elbert
2022
Sasha Masson
2023
Sunny Wang
2021
Rohit Mantena
2022
Deeksha Khanna
2024
Varun Srivastava
2021
Sasha Masson
2022
Ella Yee
2024
Adam Rolander
2022
Shaurya Agrawal
2022
Katherine Lee
2024
Anya Parambath
2022
Shikha Kathrani
2022
Shaurya Agrawal
2024
ISEF Finalists
45
Eden Maxwell
2021
Arihant Singh
2022
Trisha Bheemanathini
2022
Ella Yee
2021
Cuthbert Steadman
2022
Varun Srivastava
2022
Irfan Nafi
2021
Daniel Lin
2022
William Gao
2022
Ishika Nag
2021
Irfan Nah
2022
Anooshka Pendyal
2023
Laasya Konidala
2021
Ishika Nag
2022
Anya Parambath
2023
Mazyar Azmi
2021
Jaden Luna
2022
Deeksha Khanna
2023
Minnie Liang
2021
Jean Yu
2022
Lauren Shen
2023
Nisha Balaji
2021
Kayla Sohn
2022
Minnie Liang
2023
Samantha Radinsky
2021
Lauren Shen
2022
Ourania-Maria Glezakou-Elbert
2023
Sarah Barksdale
2021
Minnie Liang
2022
Pranavi Khanna
2023
Siya Goel
2021
Ourania-Maria Glezakou-Elbert
2022
Sasha Masson
2023
Sunny Wang
2021
Rohit Mantena
2022
Deeksha Khanna
2024
Varun Srivastava
2021
Sasha Masson
2022
Ella Yee
2024
Adam Rolander
2022
Shaurya Agrawal
2022
Katherine Lee
2024
Anya Parambath
2022
Shikha Kathrani
2022
Shaurya Agrawal
2024
ISEF Finalists
45
Eden Maxwell
2021
Arihant Singh
2022
Trisha Bheemanathini
2022
View all
ISEF Finalists
45
Eden Maxwell
2021
Arihant Singh
2022
Trisha Bheemanathini
2022
View all
ISEF Grand Award Winners
24
Ella Yee
2nd Award in Biomedical And Health Sciences
2021
Irfan Nafi
2nd Award in Robotics And Intelligent Machines
2021
Laasya Konidala
3rd Award in Robotics And Intelligent Machines
2021
Ella Yee
2nd Award In Biomedical And Health Sciences
2021
Samantha Radinsky
2nd Award in Robotics And Intelligent Machines
2021
Ishika Nag
4th Award in Environmental Engineering
2021
Siya Goel
4th Award in Robotics And Intelligent Machines
2021
Irfan Nafi
Central Intelligence Agency Special Award
2021
Jaden Luna
2nd Award in Environmental Engineering
2022
Irfan Nafi
3rd Award in Engineering Technology: Statics & Dynamics
2022
Sasha Masson
3rd Award in Environmental Engineering
2022
Jean Yu
4th Award in Cellular And Molecular Biology
2022
Arihant Singh
4th Award in Earth and Environmental Sciences
2022
Kayla Sohn
4th Award in Earth and Environmental Sciences
2022
William Gao
4th Award in Translational Medical Science
2022
Irfan Nafi
Central Intelligence Agency Special Award
2022
Irfan Nafi
Fodazione Bruno Kessler Special Award
2022
Irfan Nafi
SAE International Award
2022
Arihant Singh
Special Award: Arizona State University ISEF Scholarships
2022
Daniel Lin
Special Award: Arizona State University ISEF Scholarships
2022
Sasha Masson
2nd Award in Environmental Engineering
2023
Anooshka Pendyal
3rd Award in Mathematics
2023
Lauren Shen
Special Award: Florida Institute of Technology Full Tuition Presidential Scholarship
2023
ISEF Grand Award Winners
24
Ella Yee
2nd Award in Biomedical And Health Sciences
2021
Irfan Nafi
2nd Award in Robotics And Intelligent Machines
2021
Laasya Konidala
3rd Award in Robotics And Intelligent Machines
2021
Ella Yee
2nd Award In Biomedical And Health Sciences
2021
Samantha Radinsky
2nd Award in Robotics And Intelligent Machines
2021
Ishika Nag
4th Award in Environmental Engineering
2021
Siya Goel
4th Award in Robotics And Intelligent Machines
2021
Irfan Nafi
Central Intelligence Agency Special Award
2021
Jaden Luna
2nd Award in Environmental Engineering
2022
Irfan Nafi
3rd Award in Engineering Technology: Statics & Dynamics
2022
Sasha Masson
3rd Award in Environmental Engineering
2022
Jean Yu
4th Award in Cellular And Molecular Biology
2022
Arihant Singh
4th Award in Earth and Environmental Sciences
2022
Kayla Sohn
4th Award in Earth and Environmental Sciences
2022
William Gao
4th Award in Translational Medical Science
2022
Irfan Nafi
Central Intelligence Agency Special Award
2022
Irfan Nafi
Fodazione Bruno Kessler Special Award
2022
Irfan Nafi
SAE International Award
2022
Arihant Singh
Special Award: Arizona State University ISEF Scholarships
2022
Daniel Lin
Special Award: Arizona State University ISEF Scholarships
2022
Sasha Masson
2nd Award in Environmental Engineering
2023
Anooshka Pendyal
3rd Award in Mathematics
2023
Lauren Shen
Special Award: Florida Institute of Technology Full Tuition Presidential Scholarship
2023
ISEF Grand Award Winners
24
Ella Yee
2nd Award in Biomedical And Health Sciences
2021
Irfan Nafi
2nd Award in Robotics And Intelligent Machines
2021
Laasya Konidala
3rd Award in Robotics And Intelligent Machines
2021
Ella Yee
2nd Award In Biomedical And Health Sciences
2021
Daniel Lin
Special Award: Arizona State University ISEF Scholarships
2022
Sasha Masson
2nd Award in Environmental Engineering
2023
Anooshka Pendyal
3rd Award in Mathematics
2023
Lauren Shen
Special Award: Florida Institute of Technology Full Tuition Presidential Scholarship
2023
View all
ISEF Grand Award Winners
24
Ella Yee
2nd Award in Biomedical And Health Sciences
2021
Irfan Nafi
2nd Award in Robotics And Intelligent Machines
2021
Laasya Konidala
3rd Award in Robotics And Intelligent Machines
2021
Ella Yee
2nd Award In Biomedical And Health Sciences
2021
Daniel Lin
Special Award: Arizona State University ISEF Scholarships
2022
Sasha Masson
2nd Award in Environmental Engineering
2023
Anooshka Pendyal
3rd Award in Mathematics
2023
Lauren Shen
Special Award: Florida Institute of Technology Full Tuition Presidential Scholarship
2023
View all
Science Talent Search (STS) Scholars
18
Hope Lane
2021
Ishika Nag
2023
Mir Alam
2021
Jean Yu
2023
Armaan Ahmed
2022
Nathan Shan
2023
Ethan Labelson
2022
Sean Nesamoney
2023
Rachel Lee
2022
Ella Yee
2024
Rohit Mantena
2022
Hari Srikanth
2024
Siya Goel
2022
Lauren Shen
2024
Sunny Wang
2022
Shaurya Agrawal
2024
Grace Yang
2023
William Gao
2024
Science Talent Search (STS) Scholars
18
Hope Lane
2021
Ishika Nag
2023
Mir Alam
2021
Jean Yu
2023
Armaan Ahmed
2022
Nathan Shan
2023
Ethan Labelson
2022
Sean Nesamoney
2023
Rachel Lee
2022
Ella Yee
2024
Rohit Mantena
2022
Hari Srikanth
2024
Siya Goel
2022
Lauren Shen
2024
Sunny Wang
2022
Shaurya Agrawal
2024
Grace Yang
2023
William Gao
2024
Science Talent Search (STS) Scholars
18
Hope Lane
2021
Ishika Nag
2023
Mir Alam
2021
View all
Science Talent Search (STS) Scholars
18
Hope Lane
2021
Ishika Nag
2023
Mir Alam
2021
View all
Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholars
Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholars
Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholars
5
5
Alec Dewulf
2021
Alec Dewulf
2021
Alec Dewulf
2021
Alec Dewulf
2021
Lauren Shen
2023
Lauren Shen
2023
Lauren Shen
2023
Lauren Shen
2023
Siya Goel
2021
Siya Goel
2021
Siya Goel
2021
Siya Goel
2021
Shaurya Agrawal
2023
Shaurya Agrawal
2023
Shaurya Agrawal
2023
Shaurya Agrawal
2023
Alexa Fein
2023
Alexa Fein
2023
Alexa Fein
2023
Alexa Fein
2023
Publications & Research Highlights
Publications & Research Highlights
Publications & Research Highlights
11
11
Thomas Chen
Interpretability in Convolutional Neural Networks for Building Damage Classification in Satellite Imagery
NeurIPS 2020: Tackling Climate Change with Machine Learning Workshop
Evan Wen
Relax: Retinal Layer Attribution for Automated Optical Coherence Tomography Classification
European Conference on Computer Vision (ECVV)
Marie-Anne Xu
Evaluation of Single-Span Models on Extractive Multi-Span Question-Answering
International Journal of Web & Semantic Technolgoy
View all
Thomas Chen
Interpretability in Convolutional Neural Networks for Building Damage Classification in Satellite Imagery
NeurIPS 2020: Tackling Climate Change with Machine Learning Workshop
Evan Wen
Relax: Retinal Layer Attribution for Automated Optical Coherence Tomography Classification
European Conference on Computer Vision (ECVV)
Marie-Anne Xu
Evaluation of Single-Span Models on Extractive Multi-Span Question-Answering
International Journal of Web & Semantic Technolgoy
View all
Thomas Chen
Interpretability in Convolutional Neural Networks for Building Damage Classification in Satellite Imagery
NeurIPS 2020: Tackling Climate Change with Machine Learning Workshop
Evan Wen
Relax: Retinal Layer Attribution for Automated Optical Coherence Tomography Classification
European Conference on Computer Vision (ECVV)
Marie-Anne Xu
Evaluation of Single-Span Models on Extractive Multi-Span Question-Answering
International Journal of Web & Semantic Technolgoy
View all
Thomas Chen
Interpretability in Convolutional Neural Networks for Building Damage Classification in Satellite Imagery
NeurIPS 2020: Tackling Climate Change with Machine Learning Workshop
Evan Wen
Relax: Retinal Layer Attribution for Automated Optical Coherence Tomography Classification
European Conference on Computer Vision (ECVV)
Marie-Anne Xu
Evaluation of Single-Span Models on Extractive Multi-Span Question-Answering
International Journal of Web & Semantic Technolgoy
View all
Additional Honors
Additional Honors
Additional Honors
Highlighted below are some of the additional honors and awards earned by SSI alumni. If you’re an SSI alum and would like to be featured, we’d love to hear from you at info@thesummersteminstitute.org.
Highlighted below are some of the additional honors and awards earned by SSI alumni. If you’re an SSI alum and would like to be featured, we’d love to hear from you at info@thesummersteminstitute.org.
Highlighted below are some of the additional honors and awards earned by SSI alumni. If you’re an SSI alum and would like to be featured, we’d love to hear from you at info@thesummersteminstitute.org.
International Biology Olympiad (IBO) Qualifier
Aadim Nepal
USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) Finalist
Judson Lam
Math Olympiad Program (MOP) Qualifier, Philippines
Wesley Gavin Palomar
Gold Medalist in Nepal Olympiad of Informatics
Rishikesh Yadav
Award of Excellence, U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Kayla Sohn
Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar, Vanderbilt University
Haoli Yin
View all
International Biology Olympiad (IBO) Qualifier
Aadim Nepal
USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) Finalist
Judson Lam
Math Olympiad Program (MOP) Qualifier, Philippines
Wesley Gavin Palomar
Gold Medalist in Nepal Olympiad of Informatics
Rishikesh Yadav
Award of Excellence, U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Kayla Sohn
Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar, Vanderbilt University
Haoli Yin
View all
International Biology Olympiad (IBO) Qualifier
Aadim Nepal
USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) Finalist
Judson Lam
Math Olympiad Program (MOP) Qualifier, Philippines
Wesley Gavin Palomar
Gold Medalist in Nepal Olympiad of Informatics
Rishikesh Yadav
Award of Excellence, U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Kayla Sohn
Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar, Vanderbilt University
Haoli Yin
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International Biology Olympiad (IBO) Qualifier
Aadim Nepal
USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) Finalist
Judson Lam
Math Olympiad Program (MOP) Qualifier, Philippines
Wesley Gavin Palomar
View all
From our alumni
From our alumni
From our alumni
Lauren Shen
MIT • SSI ‘21
Attending the Summer STEM Institute was incredibly pivotal. I developed not only specific skills (literature review, technical writing, and implementing ML models) but also more broadly applicable ones (formulating questions, communicating scientific ideas) that I continue to use to this day. The SSI community has been truly amazing. The masterclasses and discussions that summer introduced me to the infinite pathways I could take, and the many distinguished speakers that summer inspired me to take action on my goals as well. From talks on large-scale social impact projects and water research to college admissions and scholarships, I was provided with not only the knowledge of the many opportunities available to me but also the support and guidance I needed to work towards them. I am sincerely grateful to SSI for giving me such a community and so much more.
Isha Agarwal
MIT • SSI ‘21
SSI was really instrumental in helping me get started with my research journey and learning how to dream big. Before the program, I had no idea what research entailed, but afterwards, I not only learned how to do research but also was able to use new concepts that I learned during the program to implement an end-to-end machine learning research project. This made me a lot more comfortable and confident in pursuing later research projects. The program also showed me what was possible with inspiring guest speakers and program staff that made me realize I don’t have to wait to do impactful research or do something for the issues I care about. I gained concrete frameworks and mindset shifts which ultimately motivated me to start initiatives in my own community and work towards making a change bigger than myself.
Alexa Fein
Harvard • SSI ‘21
SSI was an incredible experience and an extremely valuable introduction to research and data analysis. I still rely on many of the skills I first learned there, and even more importantly, it spurred on my excitement for scientific research and encouraged me to keep pursuing it!
Jean Yu
MIT • SSI ‘20
To say that SSI has had an influential impact on my trajectory in high school and even college career is an understatement. I consider SSI to be the “snowball” in the snowball effect, which provided me with momentum as I left the program with heightened hopes and aspirations to change the world. I was able to apply the data science and research skills I gained through SSI to my lab project, earning multiple honors, including a Grand Award in Cellular and Molecular Biology at ISEF, an Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the Southeastern Regional Yeast Meeting, and eventually recognition as a Regeneron STS Scholar.
Kayla Sohn
Yale • SSI ‘20
SSI turned my curiosity into purpose. That experience became the foundation for everything I have done since. Without that experience, I wouldn’t have had the confidence or momentum to continue pursuing research throughout college, nor would I have developed such a deep and lasting interest in environmental science. Today, I am pursuing a Master’s in Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences and I can say with complete confidence that SSI built the foundation for every opportunity that I've endeavored. It instilled a passion for research that I have dedicated the past seven years of my life to pursuing.
Karina Chung
Harvard • SSI ‘21
SSI provided me with the skills, support, and mentorship I needed to conduct a full-fledged independent research project and to clarify and pursue my interests. The program not only enhanced my high school experience but also transformed my future trajectory-- I used the computational and research skills I first learned from my SSI project to pursue related research in wildfire smoke modeling. I ended up presenting my research at a conference and publishing a first-author paper in undergrad, and it all started at SSI!
Thomas Chen
Columbia • SSI ‘20
SSI was the first place I got to experience what real research feels like. With guidance from an experienced mentor, I completed an end-to-end computer vision project, from forming a question and designing experiments to analyzing results and presenting findings. That process taught me how to think scientifically and gave me a strong foundation in the research workflow. More importantly, the program genuinely jumpstarted my interest in machine learning and scientific research. I joined as a high school student curious about AI, and I left with the confidence (and momentum) to keep building. Now that I’m in college, I can clearly trace a lot of my academic direction and early career focus back to what I learned during that summer.
Isabella Delbakhsh
Stanford • SSI ‘20, '21
The Summer STEM Institute changed the entire trajectory of my life. I applied at 14 seeking technical skills and mentorship, but what I gained went far beyond a resume project. Through SSI, I formed lifelong friendships and discovered opportunities I never knew existed. Nearly six years later, it remains a community I continue to constantly lean on, and I still turn to the mentors I met at 14 for guidance. Because of the program, I launched a podcast reaching 67+ countries, wrote an Amazon best-selling book, and went on to pursue my studies at Stanford University. This program is truly one of a kind, and I would not be at Stanford without it.
Amanda Kossoff
UPenn • SSI ‘20
What was especially meaningful to me was the network of inspiring mentors. I attribute so much of my achievements today, as well as my “can-do” attitude and drive to create my own entrepreneurial ventures, to SSI, where I learned about the change a young person can make through countless examples given from guests of Masterclass Seminars. Learning about others’ stories inspired me to start a new club at school, a popcorn company, and a dance education nonprofit! Thus, I truly believe that participating in SSI was the critical turning point for me, where I realized I could use my passions for tangible positive change in the world, and could take action to make that happen. I still reap the benefits today! I was able to connect with these mentors 1 on 1 through office hours and they remain impactful mentors to this day, as well as other participants in the program.
Siya Goel
Stanford • SSI ‘21
SSI had a profound impact on my life, both in high school and beyond. Through SSI, I worked on a project that sparked a deeper research journey—one I later submitted to multiple international and national fairs, conferences, and publications. But more than the work itself, the most meaningful impact of SSI was the people I met. Through the program, I connected with inspiring individuals who pushed me to dream bigger and helped me see how I could use my work to make a meaningful impact on others.
Mandy Lai
UC San Diego • SSI ‘20
SSI was a great intro to STEM fields for me in high school. I enjoyed learning a variety of subjects, including research, data analysis, and product design. I found I was most passionate about product design and decided to pursue that major in college. Perhaps my favorite part of the program was gaining wisdom from the mentors in fireside chats. I particularly remember the ones about networking tips and Talofa Games. Being surrounded by such accomplished role models inspired me to be ambitious in the rest of my education.
Kevin Chen
Princeton • SSI ‘21
I can confidently say that SSI was the most formative academic experience of my early high school years. Over six memorable weeks, I completed a full mentored research project from start to finish, built a strong foundation in programming and data science through an intensive bootcamp, and gained invaluable practical advice on anything ranging from time management and conducting high school research to navigating the college application process. SSI didn't just teach me content; it taught me how to think, learn independently, and approach ambitious projects with confidence -- skills that have continued to shape my academic journey ever since.
Lauren Shen
MIT • SSI ‘21
Attending the Summer STEM Institute was incredibly pivotal. I developed not only specific skills (literature review, technical writing, and implementing ML models) but also more broadly applicable ones (formulating questions, communicating scientific ideas) that I continue to use to this day. The SSI community has been truly amazing. The masterclasses and discussions that summer introduced me to the infinite pathways I could take, and the many distinguished speakers that summer inspired me to take action on my goals as well. From talks on large-scale social impact projects and water research to college admissions and scholarships, I was provided with not only the knowledge of the many opportunities available to me but also the support and guidance I needed to work towards them. I am sincerely grateful to SSI for giving me such a community and so much more.
Isha Agarwal
MIT • SSI ‘21
SSI was really instrumental in helping me get started with my research journey and learning how to dream big. Before the program, I had no idea what research entailed, but afterwards, I not only learned how to do research but also was able to use new concepts that I learned during the program to implement an end-to-end machine learning research project. This made me a lot more comfortable and confident in pursuing later research projects. The program also showed me what was possible with inspiring guest speakers and program staff that made me realize I don’t have to wait to do impactful research or do something for the issues I care about. I gained concrete frameworks and mindset shifts which ultimately motivated me to start initiatives in my own community and work towards making a change bigger than myself.
Alexa Fein
Harvard • SSI ‘21
SSI was an incredible experience and an extremely valuable introduction to research and data analysis. I still rely on many of the skills I first learned there, and even more importantly, it spurred on my excitement for scientific research and encouraged me to keep pursuing it!
Jean Yu
MIT • SSI ‘20
To say that SSI has had an influential impact on my trajectory in high school and even college career is an understatement. I consider SSI to be the “snowball” in the snowball effect, which provided me with momentum as I left the program with heightened hopes and aspirations to change the world. I was able to apply the data science and research skills I gained through SSI to my lab project, earning multiple honors, including a Grand Award in Cellular and Molecular Biology at ISEF, an Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the Southeastern Regional Yeast Meeting, and eventually recognition as a Regeneron STS Scholar.
Kayla Sohn
Yale • SSI ‘20
SSI turned my curiosity into purpose. That experience became the foundation for everything I have done since. Without that experience, I wouldn’t have had the confidence or momentum to continue pursuing research throughout college, nor would I have developed such a deep and lasting interest in environmental science. Today, I am pursuing a Master’s in Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences and I can say with complete confidence that SSI built the foundation for every opportunity that I've endeavored. It instilled a passion for research that I have dedicated the past seven years of my life to pursuing.
Karina Chung
Harvard • SSI ‘21
SSI provided me with the skills, support, and mentorship I needed to conduct a full-fledged independent research project and to clarify and pursue my interests. The program not only enhanced my high school experience but also transformed my future trajectory-- I used the computational and research skills I first learned from my SSI project to pursue related research in wildfire smoke modeling. I ended up presenting my research at a conference and publishing a first-author paper in undergrad, and it all started at SSI!
Thomas Chen
Columbia • SSI ‘20
SSI was the first place I got to experience what real research feels like. With guidance from an experienced mentor, I completed an end-to-end computer vision project, from forming a question and designing experiments to analyzing results and presenting findings. That process taught me how to think scientifically and gave me a strong foundation in the research workflow. More importantly, the program genuinely jumpstarted my interest in machine learning and scientific research. I joined as a high school student curious about AI, and I left with the confidence (and momentum) to keep building. Now that I’m in college, I can clearly trace a lot of my academic direction and early career focus back to what I learned during that summer.
Isabella Delbakhsh
Stanford • SSI ‘20, '21
The Summer STEM Institute changed the entire trajectory of my life. I applied at 14 seeking technical skills and mentorship, but what I gained went far beyond a resume project. Through SSI, I formed lifelong friendships and discovered opportunities I never knew existed. Nearly six years later, it remains a community I continue to constantly lean on, and I still turn to the mentors I met at 14 for guidance. Because of the program, I launched a podcast reaching 67+ countries, wrote an Amazon best-selling book, and went on to pursue my studies at Stanford University. This program is truly one of a kind, and I would not be at Stanford without it.
Amanda Kossoff
UPenn • SSI ‘20
What was especially meaningful to me was the network of inspiring mentors. I attribute so much of my achievements today, as well as my “can-do” attitude and drive to create my own entrepreneurial ventures, to SSI, where I learned about the change a young person can make through countless examples given from guests of Masterclass Seminars. Learning about others’ stories inspired me to start a new club at school, a popcorn company, and a dance education nonprofit! Thus, I truly believe that participating in SSI was the critical turning point for me, where I realized I could use my passions for tangible positive change in the world, and could take action to make that happen. I still reap the benefits today! I was able to connect with these mentors 1 on 1 through office hours and they remain impactful mentors to this day, as well as other participants in the program.
Siya Goel
Stanford • SSI ‘21
SSI had a profound impact on my life, both in high school and beyond. Through SSI, I worked on a project that sparked a deeper research journey—one I later submitted to multiple international and national fairs, conferences, and publications. But more than the work itself, the most meaningful impact of SSI was the people I met. Through the program, I connected with inspiring individuals who pushed me to dream bigger and helped me see how I could use my work to make a meaningful impact on others.
Mandy Lai
UC San Diego • SSI ‘20
SSI was a great intro to STEM fields for me in high school. I enjoyed learning a variety of subjects, including research, data analysis, and product design. I found I was most passionate about product design and decided to pursue that major in college. Perhaps my favorite part of the program was gaining wisdom from the mentors in fireside chats. I particularly remember the ones about networking tips and Talofa Games. Being surrounded by such accomplished role models inspired me to be ambitious in the rest of my education.
Kevin Chen
Princeton • SSI ‘21
I can confidently say that SSI was the most formative academic experience of my early high school years. Over six memorable weeks, I completed a full mentored research project from start to finish, built a strong foundation in programming and data science through an intensive bootcamp, and gained invaluable practical advice on anything ranging from time management and conducting high school research to navigating the college application process. SSI didn't just teach me content; it taught me how to think, learn independently, and approach ambitious projects with confidence -- skills that have continued to shape my academic journey ever since.
Lauren Shen
MIT • SSI ‘21
Attending the Summer STEM Institute was incredibly pivotal. I developed not only specific skills (literature review, technical writing, and implementing ML models) but also more broadly applicable ones (formulating questions, communicating scientific ideas) that I continue to use to this day. The SSI community has been truly amazing. The masterclasses and discussions that summer introduced me to the infinite pathways I could take, and the many distinguished speakers that summer inspired me to take action on my goals as well. From talks on large-scale social impact projects and water research to college admissions and scholarships, I was provided with not only the knowledge of the many opportunities available to me but also the support and guidance I needed to work towards them. I am sincerely grateful to SSI for giving me such a community and so much more.
Kayla Sohn
Yale • SSI ‘20
SSI turned my curiosity into purpose. That experience became the foundation for everything I have done since. Without that experience, I wouldn’t have had the confidence or momentum to continue pursuing research throughout college, nor would I have developed such a deep and lasting interest in environmental science. Today, I am pursuing a Master’s in Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences and I can say with complete confidence that SSI built the foundation for every opportunity that I've endeavored. It instilled a passion for research that I have dedicated the past seven years of my life to pursuing.
Amanda Kossoff
UPenn • SSI ‘20
What was especially meaningful to me was the network of inspiring mentors. I attribute so much of my achievements today, as well as my “can-do” attitude and drive to create my own entrepreneurial ventures, to SSI, where I learned about the change a young person can make through countless examples given from guests of Masterclass Seminars. Learning about others’ stories inspired me to start a new club at school, a popcorn company, and a dance education nonprofit! Thus, I truly believe that participating in SSI was the critical turning point for me, where I realized I could use my passions for tangible positive change in the world, and could take action to make that happen. I still reap the benefits today! I was able to connect with these mentors 1 on 1 through office hours and they remain impactful mentors to this day, as well as other participants in the program.
Isha Agarwal
MIT • SSI ‘21
SSI was really instrumental in helping me get started with my research journey and learning how to dream big. Before the program, I had no idea what research entailed, but afterwards, I not only learned how to do research but also was able to use new concepts that I learned during the program to implement an end-to-end machine learning research project. This made me a lot more comfortable and confident in pursuing later research projects. The program also showed me what was possible with inspiring guest speakers and program staff that made me realize I don’t have to wait to do impactful research or do something for the issues I care about. I gained concrete frameworks and mindset shifts which ultimately motivated me to start initiatives in my own community and work towards making a change bigger than myself.
Karina Chung
Harvard • SSI ‘21
SSI provided me with the skills, support, and mentorship I needed to conduct a full-fledged independent research project and to clarify and pursue my interests. The program not only enhanced my high school experience but also transformed my future trajectory-- I used the computational and research skills I first learned from my SSI project to pursue related research in wildfire smoke modeling. I ended up presenting my research at a conference and publishing a first-author paper in undergrad, and it all started at SSI!
Siya Goel
Stanford • SSI ‘21
SSI had a profound impact on my life, both in high school and beyond. Through SSI, I worked on a project that sparked a deeper research journey—one I later submitted to multiple international and national fairs, conferences, and publications. But more than the work itself, the most meaningful impact of SSI was the people I met. Through the program, I connected with inspiring individuals who pushed me to dream bigger and helped me see how I could use my work to make a meaningful impact on others.
Alexa Fein
Harvard • SSI ‘21
SSI was an incredible experience and an extremely valuable introduction to research and data analysis. I still rely on many of the skills I first learned there, and even more importantly, it spurred on my excitement for scientific research and encouraged me to keep pursuing it!
Thomas Chen
Columbia • SSI ‘20
SSI was the first place I got to experience what real research feels like. With guidance from an experienced mentor, I completed an end-to-end computer vision project, from forming a question and designing experiments to analyzing results and presenting findings. That process taught me how to think scientifically and gave me a strong foundation in the research workflow. More importantly, the program genuinely jumpstarted my interest in machine learning and scientific research. I joined as a high school student curious about AI, and I left with the confidence (and momentum) to keep building. Now that I’m in college, I can clearly trace a lot of my academic direction and early career focus back to what I learned during that summer.
Mandy Lai
UC San Diego • SSI ‘20
SSI was a great intro to STEM fields for me in high school. I enjoyed learning a variety of subjects, including research, data analysis, and product design. I found I was most passionate about product design and decided to pursue that major in college. Perhaps my favorite part of the program was gaining wisdom from the mentors in fireside chats. I particularly remember the ones about networking tips and Talofa Games. Being surrounded by such accomplished role models inspired me to be ambitious in the rest of my education.
Jean Yu
MIT • SSI ‘20
To say that SSI has had an influential impact on my trajectory in high school and even college career is an understatement. I consider SSI to be the “snowball” in the snowball effect, which provided me with momentum as I left the program with heightened hopes and aspirations to change the world. I was able to apply the data science and research skills I gained through SSI to my lab project, earning multiple honors, including a Grand Award in Cellular and Molecular Biology at ISEF, an Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the Southeastern Regional Yeast Meeting, and eventually recognition as a Regeneron STS Scholar.
Isabella Delbakhsh
Stanford • SSI ‘20, '21
The Summer STEM Institute changed the entire trajectory of my life. I applied at 14 seeking technical skills and mentorship, but what I gained went far beyond a resume project. Through SSI, I formed lifelong friendships and discovered opportunities I never knew existed. Nearly six years later, it remains a community I continue to constantly lean on, and I still turn to the mentors I met at 14 for guidance. Because of the program, I launched a podcast reaching 67+ countries, wrote an Amazon best-selling book, and went on to pursue my studies at Stanford University. This program is truly one of a kind, and I would not be at Stanford without it.
Kevin Chen
Princeton • SSI ‘21
I can confidently say that SSI was the most formative academic experience of my early high school years. Over six memorable weeks, I completed a full mentored research project from start to finish, built a strong foundation in programming and data science through an intensive bootcamp, and gained invaluable practical advice on anything ranging from time management and conducting high school research to navigating the college application process. SSI didn't just teach me content; it taught me how to think, learn independently, and approach ambitious projects with confidence -- skills that have continued to shape my academic journey ever since.
Lauren Shen
MIT • SSI ‘21
Attending the Summer STEM Institute was incredibly pivotal. I developed not only specific skills (literature review, technical writing, and implementing ML models) but also more broadly applicable ones (formulating questions, communicating scientific ideas) that I continue to use to this day. The SSI community has been truly amazing. The masterclasses and discussions that summer introduced me to the infinite pathways I could take, and the many distinguished speakers that summer inspired me to take action on my goals as well. From talks on large-scale social impact projects and water research to college admissions and scholarships, I was provided with not only the knowledge of the many opportunities available to me but also the support and guidance I needed to work towards them. I am sincerely grateful to SSI for giving me such a community and so much more.
Kayla Sohn
Yale • SSI ‘20
SSI turned my curiosity into purpose. That experience became the foundation for everything I have done since. Without that experience, I wouldn’t have had the confidence or momentum to continue pursuing research throughout college, nor would I have developed such a deep and lasting interest in environmental science. Today, I am pursuing a Master’s in Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences and I can say with complete confidence that SSI built the foundation for every opportunity that I've endeavored. It instilled a passion for research that I have dedicated the past seven years of my life to pursuing.
Amanda Kossoff
UPenn • SSI ‘20
What was especially meaningful to me was the network of inspiring mentors. I attribute so much of my achievements today, as well as my “can-do” attitude and drive to create my own entrepreneurial ventures, to SSI, where I learned about the change a young person can make through countless examples given from guests of Masterclass Seminars. Learning about others’ stories inspired me to start a new club at school, a popcorn company, and a dance education nonprofit! Thus, I truly believe that participating in SSI was the critical turning point for me, where I realized I could use my passions for tangible positive change in the world, and could take action to make that happen. I still reap the benefits today! I was able to connect with these mentors 1 on 1 through office hours and they remain impactful mentors to this day, as well as other participants in the program.
Isha Agarwal
MIT • SSI ‘21
SSI was really instrumental in helping me get started with my research journey and learning how to dream big. Before the program, I had no idea what research entailed, but afterwards, I not only learned how to do research but also was able to use new concepts that I learned during the program to implement an end-to-end machine learning research project. This made me a lot more comfortable and confident in pursuing later research projects. The program also showed me what was possible with inspiring guest speakers and program staff that made me realize I don’t have to wait to do impactful research or do something for the issues I care about. I gained concrete frameworks and mindset shifts which ultimately motivated me to start initiatives in my own community and work towards making a change bigger than myself.
Karina Chung
Harvard • SSI ‘21
SSI provided me with the skills, support, and mentorship I needed to conduct a full-fledged independent research project and to clarify and pursue my interests. The program not only enhanced my high school experience but also transformed my future trajectory-- I used the computational and research skills I first learned from my SSI project to pursue related research in wildfire smoke modeling. I ended up presenting my research at a conference and publishing a first-author paper in undergrad, and it all started at SSI!
Siya Goel
Stanford • SSI ‘21
SSI had a profound impact on my life, both in high school and beyond. Through SSI, I worked on a project that sparked a deeper research journey—one I later submitted to multiple international and national fairs, conferences, and publications. But more than the work itself, the most meaningful impact of SSI was the people I met. Through the program, I connected with inspiring individuals who pushed me to dream bigger and helped me see how I could use my work to make a meaningful impact on others.
Alexa Fein
Harvard • SSI ‘21
SSI was an incredible experience and an extremely valuable introduction to research and data analysis. I still rely on many of the skills I first learned there, and even more importantly, it spurred on my excitement for scientific research and encouraged me to keep pursuing it!
Thomas Chen
Columbia • SSI ‘20
SSI was the first place I got to experience what real research feels like. With guidance from an experienced mentor, I completed an end-to-end computer vision project, from forming a question and designing experiments to analyzing results and presenting findings. That process taught me how to think scientifically and gave me a strong foundation in the research workflow. More importantly, the program genuinely jumpstarted my interest in machine learning and scientific research. I joined as a high school student curious about AI, and I left with the confidence (and momentum) to keep building. Now that I’m in college, I can clearly trace a lot of my academic direction and early career focus back to what I learned during that summer.
Mandy Lai
UC San Diego • SSI ‘20
SSI was a great intro to STEM fields for me in high school. I enjoyed learning a variety of subjects, including research, data analysis, and product design. I found I was most passionate about product design and decided to pursue that major in college. Perhaps my favorite part of the program was gaining wisdom from the mentors in fireside chats. I particularly remember the ones about networking tips and Talofa Games. Being surrounded by such accomplished role models inspired me to be ambitious in the rest of my education.
Jean Yu
MIT • SSI ‘20
To say that SSI has had an influential impact on my trajectory in high school and even college career is an understatement. I consider SSI to be the “snowball” in the snowball effect, which provided me with momentum as I left the program with heightened hopes and aspirations to change the world. I was able to apply the data science and research skills I gained through SSI to my lab project, earning multiple honors, including a Grand Award in Cellular and Molecular Biology at ISEF, an Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the Southeastern Regional Yeast Meeting, and eventually recognition as a Regeneron STS Scholar.
Isabella Delbakhsh
Stanford • SSI ‘20, '21
The Summer STEM Institute changed the entire trajectory of my life. I applied at 14 seeking technical skills and mentorship, but what I gained went far beyond a resume project. Through SSI, I formed lifelong friendships and discovered opportunities I never knew existed. Nearly six years later, it remains a community I continue to constantly lean on, and I still turn to the mentors I met at 14 for guidance. Because of the program, I launched a podcast reaching 67+ countries, wrote an Amazon best-selling book, and went on to pursue my studies at Stanford University. This program is truly one of a kind, and I would not be at Stanford without it.
Kevin Chen
Princeton • SSI ‘21
I can confidently say that SSI was the most formative academic experience of my early high school years. Over six memorable weeks, I completed a full mentored research project from start to finish, built a strong foundation in programming and data science through an intensive bootcamp, and gained invaluable practical advice on anything ranging from time management and conducting high school research to navigating the college application process. SSI didn't just teach me content; it taught me how to think, learn independently, and approach ambitious projects with confidence -- skills that have continued to shape my academic journey ever since.
SSI Archives
The Summer STEM Institute (SSI) was a virtual summer program that launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. It provided high school students with research and learning opportunities at a time when many educational programs were paused. We’re so proud of our alumni and everything they’ve gone on to accomplish ♡
info@thesummersteminstitute.org
Summer STEM Stem Institute Archives © 2026
Designed by SSI alumna, Mandy Lai • SSI ‘20
SSI Archives
The Summer STEM Institute (SSI) was a virtual summer program that launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. It provided high school students with research and learning opportunities at a time when many educational programs were paused. We’re so proud of our alumni and everything they’ve gone on to accomplish ♡
info@thesummersteminstitute.org
Summer STEM Stem Institute Archives © 2026
Designed by SSI alumna, Mandy Lai • SSI ‘20
SSI Archives
The Summer STEM Institute (SSI) was a virtual summer program that launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. It provided high school students with research and learning opportunities at a time when many educational programs were paused. We’re so proud of our alumni and everything they’ve gone on to accomplish ♡
info@thesummersteminstitute.org
Summer STEM Stem Institute Archives © 2026
Designed by SSI alumna, Mandy Lai • SSI ‘20
SSI Archives
The Summer STEM Institute (SSI) was a virtual summer program that launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. It provided high school students with research and learning opportunities at a time when many educational programs were paused. We’re so proud of our alumni and everything they’ve gone on to accomplish ♡
Contact us
Summer STEM Stem Institute Archives © 2026
Designed by SSI alumna,
Mandy Lai • SSI ‘20