The Ferring Scholars Program is a three year program designed for high school students who are interested in careers in health care or biomedical research. The goal of the program is to provide participants with an in-depth and rigorous, mentored research experience throughout high school, in preparation for continued research experience in college and eventually graduate school.
The Program
Participants work closely with a carefully selected faculty member at Washington University School of Medicine to develop and conduct independent research projects. In addition to the research experience, the Program features journal club, individualized career counseling, social activities, and workshops directed at maximizing their high school and college experience.
The program includes students from high schools interested in the biomedical and health services research disciplines. The program is designed primarily for highly motivated and independent students that have excelled in and outside of the classroom.
Based on their interests and performance in their freshman year of high school, a group of students are selected by their high school science teachers and or principal . During the summer after their freshman year, the student spend two weeks on the medical campus in a variety of activities that includes a laboratory course sponsored by the Human Genome Sequencing Center, tours of the medical centers and information sessions about the careers in medicine from medical students, graduate students and potential mentors (physician scientists or scientists).
After their first semester of their sophomore year, approximately 50 percent of the students are selected to continue in the program based on academic performance during high school, extracurricular activities and writing skills demonstrated in the previous year. During the second summer students are paired with a scientific mentor to work in their laboratory at least six of eight weeks during the summer for 20 to 40 hours per week. The students also take an ACT preparatory course and are given assigned readings for weekly discussions with the program director and associate director. After the end of the summer (last Friday of July), a luncheon poster presentation is put together by the students describing their summer project. Family and school representatives are invited to attend.
During the third summer, the students are expected to complete at least six of eight weeks in a laboratory working on a hypothesis driven project and to present their work either as a poster or presentation at an end of the summer luncheon. In addition, students work on their personal college statements and start to prepare their college admission packets. With the assistance of their mentor and program leaders, students are encouraged to submit their work to regional or national scientific meetings and competitions for scientific awards.
A cohort of 10 young male high school students was selected for the program beginning in the summer of 2003 and ending after the completion of the 2005-2006 school year.
A second cohort of 15 female high school students began the program in the summer of 2005 and completed the program in the 2007-2008 school year. The combined Scholarship funding awarded for their freshman year amounted to $283,540. Two of the young ladies in this group were admitted into the St. Louis University Medical Scholar s Program. The Medical Scholars Program gives special recognition to exceptional first-year (freshmen) premedical students. It is intended to reduce some of the stress involved in the premedical studies program. Medical Scholars have the opportunity to gain early acceptance into Saint Louis University School of Medicine, in their sophomore year. The third and current cohort is made up of 12 students, both female and male from various schools in the St. Louis area. The scholars began their work in the summer of 2008 and will complete the program by the end of the summer, 2011. The next cohort of fellows is in the planning stage.
FundingThe Ferring Scholars Program is made possible by the financial contributions of John and Allison Ferring through the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation. Time, support and resources are also donated by Washington University faculty and staff members.
Program Co-LeadersAna Maria Arbelaez, M.D., M.S.C.I. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Washington University School of MedicineSt. Louis, MO. 63110Phone: 314-454-6051 email: arbelaez_a@kids.wustl.edu Stephanie Fritz, M.D., M.S.C.I. Assistant Professor of PediatricsWashington University School of MedicineSt. Louis, MO. 63110Phone: 314-454-6050fritz_s@kids.wustl.edu Jose A. Pineda, M.D., M.S.c . Assistant ProfessorWashington University School of MedicineDepartment of Pediatrics and NeurologyDirector, Neurocritical Care ProgramDivision of Critical Care MedicineCampus Box 8116One Children's Place, NWT 10St. Louis, Missouri 63110Tess Hossenlopp (Administrative Assistant)(314) 286-2444hossenlopp_t@kids.wustl.eduProgram AdministratorSarah Renee Fobert, Program CoordinatorWashington University School of MedicineSt. Louis, MO 63110Phone: 314.286.1728email: fobert_s@kids.wustl.eduCurrent Scholars:Laura Cline- Rosati-Kain High SchoolMentor- Dr. DuncanPieter Derdeyn- St. Louis University High SchoolMentor- Dr. DenceJesse Keipp- St. Louis University High School Mentor- Dr. DobbsSam Erlinger- St. Louis University High SchoolMentor- Dr. OdomMadeline Farrell- Rosati-Kain High School Mentor- Dr. GurnettLinda Nguyen- Metro High School Mentor- Dr. LeonardTemira Lewis- Metro High SchoolMentor- Dr. BucholzIsaac Singleton- Metro High School Mentor- Dr. ColeDominic Freeman- St. Louis University High School Mentor- Dr. DerdeynChristian Lukas- St. Louis University High School Mentor- Dr. WilfleyDavid Ayeke- St. Louis University High SchoolMentor- Dr. PinedaJack Howe- St. Louis University High SchoolMentor- Dr. Goldsmith