{"id":4,"date":"2022-11-02T18:09:55","date_gmt":"2022-11-02T18:09:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/?page_id=4"},"modified":"2026-05-01T18:50:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T01:50:52","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/","title":{"rendered":"About YRP"},"content":{"rendered":" \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n \n
\n\n \n

\n APPLICATION PORTAL WILL BE OPEN FEB 1 2026\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

The Young Researchers Program is a six-week summer program where motivated rising high school seniors, from underrepresented backgrounds and underresourced areas conduct scientific research at the University of Southern California. Students experience hands-on university-level research projects while attending weekly workshops that provide fundamental knowledge about college applications and pursuing careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n \n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Our Mission\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n
\n\n \n

The Young Researchers Program is dedicated to serving the local USC neighborhood by providing rising high school seniors a unique summer research opportunity. Through mentored research experiences, YRP aims to increase interest in STEM fields among students traditionally underrepresented in STEM, as well as encourage our students to attend college and pursue careers in the sciences. By doing so, we hope to create a network for previous participants to support each other as they pursue their future careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n
\n\n \n \n \n
\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n \n
\n \n

\n \n Mentored Research Experience \n\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Each student is paired with their own graduate mentor for the summer to complete a research project in the mentor’s specialty. At the end of the summer, students present their project results as a poster in a public symposium (open to friends and family!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n\n \n \n \n
\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n \n
\n \n

\n \n Weekly Lunch Seminars \n\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Every week, students attend a seminar on different topics designed to help them apply to <\/span>college, find scholarships, become a successful college student, and <\/span>identify career options in STEM fields. (Lunch is provided.)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n\n \n \n \n
\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n \n
\n \n

\n \n Field Trips\n\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

In previous years, our field trips have included a day at Catalina Island learning about Earth and environmental science, hiking, and snorkeling (no swimming experience was required), as well as a tour of NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n \n
\n
\n\n \n \n
\n\n \n

\n 2026 Program Details \n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Application Open: 2\/01\/26<\/p>\n

Application Deadline: April 5, 2026 at 11:59pm PST<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Acceptance notifications will be updated by May 15 or earlier. Unfortunately, if you do not receive an acceptance by May 15 we have moved onto other candidates. We had much higher application submission this year than previous years and we are trying our best to accept mentees that display a clear need for STEM research opportunities, along with research fit with our committed mentors. Thank you to all those who applied, we appreciate the hard work you put into your applications and encourage you to keep thriving towards your future endeavors.<\/p>\n

Student Orientation: June 12, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Program Dates: June 15 – July 24, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Poster Symposium: July 24, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n

\n \n
\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n
\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Our Team\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

We are a group of USC PhD students who work together to coordinate\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the Young Researchers Program.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n
\n\n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Isabelle Young\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Co-Director<\/strong><\/p>\n

PhD Student in Neuroscience<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n
\n\n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Alisha Cayce\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Co-Director\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

PhD Student in Neuroscience<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n
\n\n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Nushka Remec\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Vice Director\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

PhD Student in Neuroscience<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n\n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Gaon Kim\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Co-Seminar and Co-Finances Coordinator<\/strong><\/p>\n

PhD Student in Neuroscience<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n
\n\n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Karel Aceituno\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Co-Seminar Coordinator<\/strong><\/p>\n

PhD Student in Neuroscience<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n
\n\n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Fabiola Amaya Reyes\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

High School Recruitment and Media Coordinator<\/strong><\/p>\n

PhD Student in Neuroscience<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n
\n\n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Matt Quinan\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Mentor Recruitment\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

PhD Student in Earth Sciences<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n
\n\n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Emma Carpenter\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Co-Field Trip <\/strong>Coordinator<\/strong><\/p>\n

PhD Student in Neuroscience<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n
\n\n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Oluchi Ofoegbu\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Co-Field Trip <\/strong>Coordinator<\/strong><\/p>\n

PhD Student in Development, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n
\n\n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Kary Fang\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Treasurer<\/strong><\/p>\n

PhD Candidate in Neuroscience<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n \n
\n\n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Contact Us\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n
\n\n

YRP Team<\/h3>\n \n \n \n
\n yrpusc@gmail.com<\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-content-detail.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAbout YRP - USC's Young Researchers Program<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"About YRP - USC's Young Researchers Program\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"USC's Young Researchers Program\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-02T01:50:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/\",\"name\":\"About YRP - USC's Young Researchers Program\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2022-11-02T18:09:55+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-02T01:50:52+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"About YRP\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/\",\"name\":\"USC's Young Researchers Program\",\"description\":\"USC Dornsife Young Researchers Program\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"About YRP - USC's Young Researchers Program","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"About YRP - USC's Young Researchers Program","og_url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/","og_site_name":"USC's Young Researchers Program","article_modified_time":"2026-05-02T01:50:52+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/","name":"About YRP - USC's Young Researchers Program","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/#website"},"datePublished":"2022-11-02T18:09:55+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-02T01:50:52+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"About YRP"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/","name":"USC's Young Researchers Program","description":"USC Dornsife Young Researchers Program","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4"}],"version-history":[{"count":87,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":307,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4\/revisions\/307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/youngresearchersprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}