June 2026
Scholars and Mentors
Rise Up Scholars
This summer, Rise Up Scholars are bringing their curiosity, talent, and energy into research labs at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine!
Students applied for the paid summer internship program while participating in Rise Up’s Life as a Scientist program, where they spent the school year designing experiments, writing grant proposals, conducting research, presenting their findings, and publishing their work. We received applications from many excellent candidates, making the selection process incredibly difficult. The students chosen for this year’s Scholars program stood out for their excitement to continue growing as young scientists.
Before entering the lab, Scholars completed required Environmental Health and Safety trainings to prepare for work in professional research spaces. From there, they teamed up with mentors and jumped right into active research experiments. Over the course of the program, students ran PCR, performed Western blots, assisted with dissections, learned new lab techniques, and contributed to the daily work of research teams.
Just as importantly, Scholars had the chance to build countless professional and personal connections. They worked alongside undergrads, graduate students, research staff, and faculty mentors, gaining a deeper understanding of what science looks like beyond the classroom. They saw firsthand that research is collaborative, creative, and often full of problem-solving, persistence, and teamwork.
For some students, this experience is part of a longer journey with Rise Up. A few Scholars have participated in the program in prior years and are continuing to grow their skills and confidence in the lab. For these students, the Scholars program may even serve as a pathway toward a more involved lab position after high school.
We are so proud of the students for the way they have embraced this opportunity. They bring so much energy, joy, and curiosity into the lab spaces where they work. Thank you to the mentors, labs, volunteers, and partners who make this program possible!
Analyzing cells
Frambelys Luna-Polanco
Scholar Spotlight
Frambelys Luna-Polanco is heading into her senior year at Lincoln-West, and this summer she returned to the Rise Up Scholars program for another round research.
For Frambelys, coming back was an easy decision. She “had a great experience in the program last year and was excited for the chance to learn something new again”. Science has always been one of her favorite subjects because “there is always more to discover”. She especially loves the “trial-and-error part of science and the way research helps explain how the world works”.
During her two weeks in the lab, Frambelys got to experience cell imaging, brain slide imaging, run qPCR, and plenty of pipetting. Some of her favorite parts were using the Operetta and the slide scanner, giving her a close-up look at tools and techniques used commonly in research labs.
The experience also helped Frambelys continue thinking about her future. Her “long-term goal is to continue her education after high school and become an ultrasound technician”. After spending more time in the lab, she said she could even see research as a possible plan. In her final survey, she shared that the program helped her feel more confident in STEM, understand what scientists and researchers do each day, build her professional network, and feel more prepared to succeed in a research setting.
What stands out most about Frambelys is her energy and magnetic personality. She lights up every room she walks into, bringing humor and excitement to the people around her. In the lab, that same energy came through as she asked questions and embraced the chance to learn from everyone around her.
We are so proud to have to see her develop as a scientist and wonderful human being. We can’t wait to see what she does next during her senior year and beyond!
We are hard at work editing and formatting this year's edition of the Journal of Young Scientists! We'll be sharing a sneak peek of some of this year's student research manuscripts in next month's newsletter.
In the meantime, you can explore the incredible work of past student researchers by reading the last three editions of the Journal of Young Scientists for free on our website!
