Opening Doors with Unique Experiences from Bioengineering Research Projects

“My Polygence project opened new doors for my future. It confirmed my interest in STEM, especially in how biology and engineering can work together.… To future scholars, I'd say: follow your curiosity and don't be afraid to explore new areas. Starting a project with Polygence is a great chance to dive deep into what you love.”

-Adithya, Polygence alum

Bioengineering, also known as biological engineering, is one of the most exciting fields for young scientists interested in interdisciplinary research and technology. Bioengineers use principles from both engineering and life sciences to make advances in medicine, healthcare, agriculture, and more. Biotechnology, biomedical engineering, and biomimetics are all sub-fields of specialization under the umbrella of bioengineering. Waves of innovation have accelerated the bioengineering industry in recent years, leading McKinsey & Co. to estimate that it could be worth between $2 trillion and $4 trillion per year as soon as 2030.

Traditional high school classrooms don’t always encourage students to explore their passion projects combining biology and engineering. That’s why Polygence connects high school students with professional biological engineering researchers and real-world biotech experts. Polygence mentors guide their students through independent projects in bioengineering subfields, opening new pathways for them to work on challenging and impactful research now and in the future. 

Impactful Bioengineering Projects with Polygence

Polygence empowers students to conduct their own original bioengineering research with individual guidance from expert mentors. Here are three amazing projects by Polygence alums who shared their passions for interdisciplinary research combining biology and engineering!

1. Adithya’s Project

With support from his research mentor, Humberto, Adithya used biomimetics to explore space suit designs that implement “bio-inspired adaptations of flora and fauna” that survive in harsh environments. Adithya’s research focuses on organisms showing evolutionary successes in adapting to radiation, extreme temperatures, and other natural systems that resemble challenges faced by astronauts in outer space. “The most rewarding part of my project,” Adithya says, “was seeing my idea turn into something real. I started with a love for space suits and biomimetics, and through my research, I created a design that could help astronauts. Watching my ideas come to life was really exciting and made me even more interested in combining biology and engineering.”

2. Angel’s Project

When Angel signed up for Polygence, she was hoping to explore her interest in biotechnology research. “I did not expect,” she writes, “to produce such a highly-detailed research paper or learn as much as I did about CAR T cell therapy and the process of ideating new designs in biotech!” The FDA has approved CAR T cell therapy as an immunotherapy for blood cancers, but the treatment has not been successful in enhancing the immune response to tumors. Angel’s research project started with a review of T cell function in the immune system before outlining the strategies currently being tested that would render CAR T cell therapy effective in treating solid tumors. Finally, under the supervision of her mentor, Angel proposed “a novel CAR design that targets HER2 on breast cancer and secretes an NBD peptide that is receptive to endocytosis into MDSCs through CD73.” The approach would need to undergo preclinical studies, but Angel’s research could lead to a new option for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

3. Vibha’s Project

Vibha was a middle school student when she decided to combine her interests in biology, chemistry, and engineering in a single project. Her research led to SCOBY Skin, a bioengineered and fully biodegradable material with wound healing applications. The textile that Vibha and her bioengineering mentor developed combines symbiotic cultures of bacterial yeast (“SCOBY”) with plant-based components for an alternative to traditional bandages. “Writing a research paper,” says Vibha, “has motivated me to read others' work to possibly contribute to their research or learn something new.” Visit her project page to learn more about SCOBY Skin!

“To future scholars, I'd say: follow your curiosity and don't be afraid to explore new areas. Starting a project with Polygence is a great chance to dive deep into what you love. Be active in finding resources and mentors to help you. Don’t let setbacks discourage you; they are part of the learning process. Most importantly, pick a topic you're passionate about, as this will keep you motivated. Polygence is a supportive platform to turn your ideas into reality, so make the most of it and enjoy the journey.”  -Adithya, Polygence alum

The Role of Mentorship in Biotech and Bioengineering Research

“My mentor had extensive knowledge of the exact topic I was interested in pursuing for the project. She responded quickly to my messages and was very helpful during the writing process. She also has a great way of teaching topics in a way that allows the students to work out an answer instead of just telling them the answer. She gave lots of great tips regarding college, paper writing, and navigating the science world in general.”

-Angel, Polygence alum

Because biotech and other bioengineering subfields evolve so rapidly, working with an expert mentor can ensure your research is timely and relevant and that it takes ongoing studies into account. Researchers at every level work with mentors who share valuable insights and experiences. At Polygence, we draw on our network of researchers at leading institutions, as well as industry experts, to connect young and aspiring biological engineers with their perfect mentor matches. Our Core Program provides you with ten sessions of one-on-one guidance with your dedicated mentor. During those ten sessions, you and your mentor will select a topic that you are passionate about, develop a comprehensive research plan, complete a review of existing literature, design and conduct experiments, analyze results, and finally construct your bioengineering research paper. According to Vibha, “The most rewarding aspect of my project was the ability to exchange ideas, build a research paper, and perform experiments with my mentor, Cheldina, who was completing her PhD at Yale University. She was patient, intelligent, and understanding, guiding me in the right direction to a successful project. Writing a research paper was challenging, but with her guidance and the way we organized our deadlines, it was achievable, and I was proud to share SCOBY Skin with others.” Working alongside a great mentor was a key component in empowering Vibha to discover her passion for biotech and bioengineering research.

Paving Pathways: Long-Term Benefits of Conducting Bioengineering Research

After completing their projects, Polygence students are positioned to continue their research at the next level, whether in bioengineering or in other subject areas. Adithya writes, “I learned many skills that are useful in any field. I got better at researching and analyzing data. My problem-solving skills improved as I dealt with different challenges… This project also taught me to be persistent and adaptable…” In addition to helping them develop their research skills, Polygence empowers students to showcase their accomplishments down the road. “My Polygence project opened new doors for my future,” says Adithya. “It confirmed my interest in STEM, especially in how biology and engineering can work together. The experience gave me a better understanding of biomimetics and its potential. Plus, I now have a project to show to colleges and future employers that proves I can handle complex research on my own.” Indeed, many Polygence alums go on to conduct undergraduate research in bioengineering labs at some of the top universities in the world. For Angel, conducting original research helped her make that academic jump from high school to college. She writes, “I completed my Polygence project the summer before my senior year in high school. It was great being able to write about my project in my college application essays and activities sections…. I got accepted into UC Berkeley with the intended major of molecular and cell biology, which was my top college choice! I believe that my Polygence project greatly helped pave this pathway for me and will help me during my time at Berkeley as well.”

If you are a student who is passionate about life sciences and engineering topics, conducting an independent research project in biotech or bioengineering is a rewarding experience that will open new doors for your future. Plus, you can make a real impact with your research, contributing advancements in a variety of fields like space exploration, cancer treatment, wound healing, sustainability, and more. Working with a great mentor empowers you to make the most of the research experience. Polygence’s Core Program gives you access to one-on-one guidance throughout the entire research process, from selecting your topic to conducting experiments and, finally, writing your paper. In addition to developing your bioengineering research skills, you’ll come away from the project with a strong scientific writing sample to feel proud of, which you can share with colleges and universities and even submit for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. If you’re ready to ignite your passion for interdisciplinary research, let us connect you with your mentor match now! 

To learn more about Polygence’s Core Program for individual mentorship, or check out our Pods Program to explore a research project alongside a mentor and a group of like-minded peers.