Holton's Science Research Program: Real-World Research, Real-World Impact

Each summer, eight rising seniors from Holton-Arms immerse themselves in cutting-edge research at university labs, contributing to projects in fields like neuroscience, astrophysics, medical imaging, and aerospace engineering. A signature offering at Holton-Arms, the Science Research Program has built a strong reputation among local labs for nurturing well-prepared, curious, and motivated students.

“There are labs we’ve worked with for almost 10 years and professors who enthusiastically welcome our students year after year,” explains Dr. Hannah Krug, Director of Student Research at Holton. “That’s a testament to the dedication of the students chosen for this program and the strength of our preparation.”

Now in its second decade, the program selects eight sophomores through a competitive application and interview process. “We’re not just looking for students who already excel in STEM classes,” says Dr. Krug. “We value resilience, curiosity, and the ability to work collaboratively with adults in professional settings. Being in an honors class isn’t a requirement. We look for potential and mindset.”

Students follow one of two tracks—life sciences or engineering/computer science—and spend their junior year preparing through hands-on electives such as Molecular Biology and Microbiology or a year-long Python course. They also receive mentorship from Dr. Krug in areas such as resume writing, emotional intelligence, and public science communication.

By the time summer before senior year arrives, students are ready to contribute meaningfully in professional research labs. “The program was an amazing opportunity,” says Liz A. ’26. “At Howard's Molecular Imaging Lab, I worked on a wide variety of projects from MRI imaging to immunohistochemistry [a laboratory technique used to identify and visualize specific proteins in tissue samples]. My favorite part was studying diabetic retinopathy [an eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness in people who have diabetes] in mice. I really value the connections I was able to make with the professors and graduate students. They were great mentors."

Yvonne Z. ’26, who conducted research on a colorimetric detection [a method that uses color changes to detect and measure certain chemicals or substances] patch for cystic fibrosis at Georgetown University, adds, “It was so cool to work with my mentor and the graduate students and learn more about biomedical engineering. I loved working with specialized equipment, diving into new topics, and just seeing how scientific research works in the lab. I'll definitely be looking for similar opportunities in college.”

But ultimately, the Science Research Program isn’t just about getting students into labs, it’s about changing the way they see themselves in the world of science. “This program shows our students what they’re capable of,” explains Dr. Krug. “That confidence stays with them.”

Lucy B. ’26 explained how realizing the ramifications of her work made it more meaningful for her: “It was during my journey conducting genetic research that I saw how, behind every data point, a person and a community are living at the intersection of inequality and healthcare. Contributing to what will be life-changing research for so many people was incredibly impactful, and I’m so grateful to Holton and the Science Research Program for allowing us to get started early with research that helps people in our local communities.” 

For Lydia O. ’26, participating in the program was a pivotal step in her academic pursuits, “The Science Research Program opened my eyes to the importance of fundamental research and how it relates to potential practical applications. As a student who plans to study engineering, the opportunity to work in a lab with PhD students was an incredible head start for what I hope to do in college.”

The culmination of the program is a scientific poster and a 10-minute presentation during Holton’s upper school fall assembly. It’s an opportunity to synthesize what they’ve learned and share their journey, from classroom theory to real-world discovery. “It’s one of the most powerful parts of the program,” says Dr. Krug. “They’ve spent a summer learning to communicate complex science in a way that inspires others. That’s when the impact becomes visible to the entire school.”