Trainees, faculty, and staff of the Duke Department of Biochemistry and Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering came together to create a hands-on educational experience for middle- and high school-aged students on May 31.
The event, held on the Duke University campus, introduced students in the Emily K. Center’s Scholars to College program to the fundamentals of protein structure and function — core themes of the Department of Biochemistry’s research.
Duke biochemistry PhD student Porter Ellis, inspired by a similar 2023 initiative led by alum Emily Cannistraci, PhD, designed the program to spark curiosity and build confidence among young learners. “We wanted to create an experience that made science feel accessible and exciting,” Ellis said. “Early exposure to STEM can have a compounding effect. Opportunity begets opportunity.”
Participants engaged in mini-experiments such as lysozyme crystallization and dye chromatography, gaining firsthand experience with techniques used in real-world research. They also toured Duke’s Shared Materials and Instrumentation Facility (SMIF), where Outreach and Lab Engineer Emily Snell and Pratt School of Engineering PhD student Victoria Ravel provided an up-close look at an electron microscope and other tools.
Beyond the lab, students had the chance to speak with Duke faculty and trainees about their research, academic journeys, and careers in science. These conversations were designed to demystify the path to higher education and foster a sense of belonging in scientific spaces.
The event was made possible through support from the School of Medicine’s Office for Culture, Engagement, and Impact, as well as materials shared by Cannistraci. “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed, from our faculty and trainees to our SMIF colleagues,” Ellis said. “This was a true community effort.”