Empowering Future Scientists: UC Davis Health Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine’s Summer High School Research Program Celebrates Its Completion at Aggie Square
Source: UC Davis by Siwon Park | August 27, 2025
In an inspiring demonstration of community partnership and educational innovation, UC Davis Health’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (BMM) wrapped up its annual Summer Research Program for Sacramento Charter High School (SCHS) students.
From June 9 to August 1, 2025, ten students from SCHS immersed themselves in the world of basic science, gaining hands-on experience in UC Davis Health’s research laboratories. Each student was assigned to a BMM laboratory, paired with a dedicated mentor, learning techniques such as lab safety, documentation, data integrity, and pipetting—skills that most students encounter only in college or beyond.
The program, spearheaded by Professors Kit Lam, MD, PhD, and Megan Dennis, PhD, is part of a growing initiative to create community-engaged, equity-driven pathways into the world of science. To celebrate their achievements, the BMM department hosted a Program Completion Ceremony inside
Aggie Square, where students, their lab mentors, Principal Investigators, and Interim Department Chair Fernando Santana, PhD, gathered for reflections, student presentations, and a certificate ceremony. The event underscored strong university-community collaboration. Students received certificates and participated in a group photo as a lasting visual highlight.
Looking ahead to 2026, the department is set to elevate the student experience even further by incorporating AI-powered learning tools to capture the imagination—and attention—of today’s digitally fluent Generation Z.
“The 2026 BMM-SCHS Summer Program will introduce students to research in basic science through interactive AI tools,” said Adriane Joo PhD, Chief Administrative Officer at BMM. “We’re integrating AI tools to ensure our Gen Z students not only receive the information they need to succeed in their summer research—but also enjoy the process. Our goal is to create an experience that’s engaging, meaningful, and fun, while helping them build the professionalism and confidence they’ll carry into the real world.”
From career exploration to research mentorship, the program serves as a model for how academic medical centers can invest in local youth, reflect the communities they serve, and build bridges through education, innovation, and trust.
This summer’s success highlights the evolving role of Aggie Square as more than a development project—it’s a hub for transformative learning and community collaboration. And with AI-enhanced learning on the horizon, BMM is just getting started. For further information, please visit BMM’s official website at https://health.ucdavis.edu/biochem/.