High School Emerging Researcher Experience

The High School Emerging Researcher Experience is part of the Undergraduate Research Internship Program, giving high school participants an opportunity to interact with college students and perform in a fast-paced academic setting.

 

The High School Emerging Researcher Experience is designed to introduce a select group of academically outstanding juniors and seniors to the world of translational research. By working alongside undergraduate research interns, students will gain valuable insights into the research process. Each summer project will be selected by the mentor assigned to the student and their specific area of expertise. With access to Houston Methodist's renowned faculty, students receive mentorship that guides them through their summer projects and provides instruction on the laboratory techniques necessary for successful completion. The program concludes with a research symposium, where interns present poster presentations of their work.

 

Additionally, the High School Emerging Researcher Experience includes a career and professional development curriculum, equipping students with valuable tools for college applications. Through participation in intern events, such as the welcome reception, sporting events, seminars, and didactic lectures, each intern has the opportunity to experience both personal and professional growth.

 

2025 High School Emerging Researcher Tess Pacetti presenting her research poster at the 2025 MAPTA Symposium.

“Coming into the Houston Methodist Summer Research Internship Program, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I had never been in a professional research environment before—just a high school student from Shadow Creek with a curiosity for science and a dream. But this experience completely shifted my perspective. 

From day one, I was welcomed into a lab team that treated me like I belonged. I was learning alongside undergraduate and even graduate-level students, handling real data, asking real questions, and seeing how research translates into real solutions for patients. It was challenging, eye-opening, and inspiring all at once.

 

The mentorship I received made the biggest impact on me. My mentor didn't just explain procedures—he asked me what I thought, challenged me to analyze results, and encouraged me to find my own voice in the scientific process. That kind of support and belief in me built my confidence in a way I didn’t think was possible at this stage in my life.

 

This program didn’t just teach me about research; it gave me a vision for my future. I now know I want to pursue a career in science or medicine—not because it sounds good on paper, but because I’ve seen the impact it can have up close. I’m leaving this program feeling more prepared, more driven, and more certain of who I want to become.”

 

James Williams, Junior at Shadow Creek High School