Sac High is excited to be partnering with the UC Davis Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine for the second year to bring hands-on learning, exposure to science, and lab research opportunities to our high school students. The program included a series of lectures given onsite at Sac High and afterwards scholars were offered an opportunity to apply for a 7-week paid summer research internship. Through a competitive evaluation four scholars were selected for the internship.

 “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with UC Davis as we believe it is critically important to expose our scholars - the majority of whom are from minority backgrounds – with opportunities to learn about careers in healthcare and medicine,” said Christina Williams-James, principal at Sac High. “Providing access and exposure to the biomedical field is an integral part of the work we are doing to close the opportunity gap for disadvantaged students.”

Sac High’s student population is predominantly Black and Latino and partnerships like this are essential for encouraging students from underrepresented minority groups to pursue higher education and consider occupations that lack diversity, such as doctors. Specifically, Blacks comprise about 12% of the U.S. population but less than 6% of physicians.

Each intern will be mentored by a UC Davis faculty member and a graduate student or post-doctoral fellow from the faculty members’ lab. The intern will learn basic lab skills and conduct active research aligned with their skill level.