High School Students Get Research Experience at Idaho State University Over Summer

Their college careers may still be a little way out, but a pair of Century High School students had a chance to spend a portion of their summer getting a jump on their undergraduate experience. 

Over four weeks this summer, Lillian Denney and Peizhen BigEagle spent their days working in the lab of Devaleena Pradhan, associate professor in the biological sciences department at Idaho State University. In her lab, Pradhan and her students study the bluebanded goby, a small fish that lives in the eastern Pacific Ocean and can rapidly switch sexes in response to changes in their environment. 

“We are looking into what hormones–including those also found in humans–are involved in behaviors like courtship, aggression, parenting, and how those hormones can affect their future gene function,” said Pradhan.  

To start, the pair were given a slate of research topics to choose from and work on for the next few weeks. BigEagle chose to use image processing software to measure the tail fin–known as a caudal fin—of specimens undergoing female to male sex change. Denney measured the gobies' fins and their body alignment using videos. Each project is helping to form some of the baseline data for future studies in the lab.

“I wanted to explore and learn new things,’ said Denney, “and the internship seemed like a great opportunity.”

Under the mentorship of graduate student Kasey Wozniak, the pair got to work on their projects as well as helping build housing for incoming fish, growing brine shrimp for the gobies to eat, assisting with DNA extractions, and more. 

“This was my first time being a mentor and It was definitely a learning process, but I really enjoyed it and seeing how far they came over the four weeks,” said Wozniak. “I hope they took away new skills, a great experience, and the confidence in themselves to accomplish whatever they set their minds to.”  

Towards the end of the internship, Denney and BigEagle had to create research posters to present their findings at the Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research. Held on the Boise State University campus, the event brought together students from around the Gem State to showcase “the leading edge of undergraduate research in all disciplines.” Of the 29 Idaho State University-affiliated posters presented at the conference, theirs were the only two presented by high school students, and a first for Denney and BigEagle. 

“I was nervous and wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but once I started, it became just a really nice chat with others about what they did and what I did,” Denney said.

“Lillian and Piezhen got to engage in the scientific process while gaining an immersive experience at Idaho State University,” said Pradhan. “Over the course of their four weeks, they were able to build their confidence with science, experience working on a project from start to finish–and the sense of accomplishment it brings–and develop new skills that will help them wherever their future takes them.”  

“By doing this project, I remembered how much I love science, said Denney. “I found it really cool to research and learn about the bluebanded goby.”

The internship was funded through a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) grant. Pradhan says they plan to offer it again in the summers of 2025 and 2026.

Learn more about ISU’s Department of Biological Sciences at  isu.edu/biology.

Prospective students can schedule a campus tour at isu.edu/visit.