Summer Science Program - Amogh's Story

During five intense weeks this summer, Amogh from Grade 12 participated in the Summer Science Program. Using wet lab techniques and modelling software he studied a fungal pathogen enzyme, and designed a molecule inhibitor to protect agricultural crops. Amogh and his fellow students spent hundreds of hours collecting and analysing data in teams. They also had the opportunity to engage with prominent guest speakers, including two Nobel Laureates.

SSP is one of the unique summer programs that allow students to conduct authentic scientific research and have an opportunity to be exposed to college-level academic material – Amogh, Grade 12. 

The Summer Science Program (SSP) is a prestigious program that has over 60 years of history. Amogh joined 35 other top science students from around the world online, between the 21 June to the 25 July, to partake in a program of academic challenges, collaboration and personal growth. Instead of taking part of the program from the campus of Indiana University in the US, Amogh and his peers was handed all educational material and assignments on Canvas, and Zoom was used for collaborative work and lectures. But the experience was not only about research and lectures. “We also had social hours every day as well as a talent show and several trivia nights”, says Amogh.

Amogh’s research project revolved around designing a pesticide for a particular fungal pathogen (Claviceps Purpurea) that attacks and harms maize crops. Together with his two research partners, Amogh worked with an Indiana University teaching assistant who collected the data on campus in Indiana, and whom they wrote detailed lab procedures with. They then used a software called MOE (molecular operating environment) to digitally design the pesticide with a molecule inhibitor. The final results were then published in a final report. 

One of the reason why Amogh, who is one of the Charity & Service Prefects at TISB, chose SSP is because the program is run as a non-profit that allows students to delve into real world issues and problems, and to deepen their knowledge and to get invaluable practical experience working with professionals and professional equipment and software. “Research being done at SSP is crucial for global development, as it focuses on eradicating world hunger - at least form the production perspective, if not the distribution perspective”, explains Amogh. 

For Amogh the experience at SSP has proven and cemented his passion for chemical engineering, and through the program he has gained clarity on the field of study he would like to pursue in the future. Amogh says: “SSP was an immensely collaborative experience, and I agree with the common sentiment of the alumni that is the 'Educational experience of a lifetime'. The people at SSP are brilliant and interesting and this has greatly impacted my personality as well.”

To learn more about the program, visit the SSP website.