We are thrilled that Sac High is continuing its partnership with the UC Davis Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine 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 that provided 11th and 12th grader scholars with information about academic research, careers in science, and opportunities within higher education. After the lectures Sac High scholars were offered an opportunity to apply for a 8-week paid summer research internship with the UC Davis Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine. After competitive evaluation, eight scholars were selected for the internship. 

 “Sac High’s partnership with UC Davis is an essential part of our mission to send our scholars to and through college,” said Christina Williams-James, principal at Sac High. “Many of our scholars are the first in their family to go to college and exposing them to researchers from a world-class educational institution is incredibly inspiring and motivating. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with UC Davis and are glad that even more scholars are able to intern this summer.” 

Participating scholars expressed excitement for the opportunity. Kaliyah Gise said: “I am very excited about the opportunity to intern with the UC Davis Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine. I am excited about learning about cancer and the process because I had a family member with cancer and I did not understand how it happened and how to help.  I can’t wait to work in the lab this summer.”

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 interns will learn basic lab skills and conduct active research aligned with their skill level.