Microbiology and Immunology hosts high school students through Research Exploration Opportunity program

By Sarah Anderson, PhD

For many high school students, spring break means spending time with friends, seeking out and soaking up the sun, and enjoying some well-deserved rest and relaxation. For those participating in UBC STEM Fellowship’s Research Exploration Opportunity (REO) program, spring break this year meant handling Petri dishes, peering through microscopes, and attending lab meetings. 

Through the REO program, local high school students were invited to join a UBC lab for the week, providing a unique opportunity to connect with scientists, engage in hands-on research, and learn about different academic and career paths. The program focuses on providing research exploration opportunities for students from underrepresented communities, including those who identify as Indigenous, those living in rural and remote areas, and those of low socioeconomic status. 

“Students from underrepresented backgrounds often face systemic barriers to accessing mentorship, resources, and early exposure to STEM fields. As a first-generation immigrant myself, I remember how difficult it was to find opportunities to explore STEM without existing connections or guidance from mentors who had navigated similar paths,” said Vanesse Li, the REO program lead and an undergraduate student in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. “We hope this program helps bridge that gap by creating opportunities specifically for these groups, making STEM feel more accessible and attainable. Ultimately, programs like REO can help broaden participation and contribute to a more diverse and representative future in STEM.”

At the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, REO program participants experienced a week in the life in the labs of Dr. Carolina Tropini and Dr. Maria Tokuyama. In the Tropini lab, students delved into investigating how the gut environment and the community of microbes living in the gut influence human health. They learned how to handle bacteria and characterize bacterial growth and how to culture and image mammalian intestinal tissue. In the Tokuyama lab, students were immersed in studying the collection of viruses in the human body and how they shape immunity and disease. They learned how to grow cells and introduce DNA into them and how to visualize tissue sections using the confocal microscope. In addition to becoming familiar with key experimental techniques in microbiology and immunology research, the students participated in lab meetings and scientific discussions to learn about data analysis and interpretation and see how the scientific method plays out in real-world settings.

For Drs. Tropini and Tokuyama, hosting students through the REO program is beneficial for everyone involved. It enables researchers in their labs to engage with the public, share how their work contributes to valuable biological insights, and develop critical mentorship and science communication skills. The experience could also mark the starting point in the careers of the next generation of scientists. “Being exposed to research was life-changing for me, and I would like to provide the same opportunity for high school students coming to our lab. Learning what it’s like to work in a lab may help them discover a lifelong passion!” said Dr. Tropini. 

“Seeing is believing,” added Dr. Tokuyama. “Seeing diverse faculty and trainees working in the labs will hopefully inspire the students to see themselves in the lab.”     

In the middle of their busy week, the REO participants gathered for a workshop led by research and teaching faculty members and graduate students in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. They learned about helpful and harmful microbes in the gut, how scientists use stains to see gut tissue clearly, and how to recognize visual signs of inflammation in the gut. They then donned lab coats, goggles, and gloves and took to the lab, where they were tasked with classifying samples of mouse intestinal tissue as either healthy or Salmonella-infected. They practiced staining microscope slides and then looked at pre-prepared slides under the microscope, making note of indications of disease including immune cell infiltration, crypt abscesses, and crypt lengthening. After sharing their observations and discussing their findings, the group headed to lunch, where Dr. Tokuyama gave a presentation on the department’s undergraduate programs. The students then had the chance to ask a group of panelists questions about the transition from high school to university, office hours, study habits, graduate and medical school, and career trajectories.

Drs. Tokuyama and Tropini, both faculty representatives of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology’s EDI Committee, envision ongoing collaboration with the REO program in support of the department’s EDI goals. “One of our core pillars is creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment. Inviting a diverse group of high school students from all over Vancouver into our labs and enabling them to conduct research hands-on is one way in which we can reach new students and open doors for them to experience and learn about science,” said Dr. Tokuyama. 

“Historically, many groups have been underrepresented in science, and the bottleneck often occurs prior to starting undergraduate studies. By engaging students at the high school level, we can help address this gap earlier in the pipeline,” added Dr. Tropini. “By actively working to create more accessible entry points into science, this initiative aligns closely with the department’s broader commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.”