Image by Ed Brennen
PROPEL participant Trey Lewis, a rising senior at Dracut High School, shows a prototype of the custom cat wheelchair that he helped build during the program's final poster presentations this summer at Alumni Hall.
Lowell High School student Jingsan Soth could have earned money this summer scooping ice cream or mowing lawns. Instead, the rising senior worked full time in the Biomanufacturing Science and Engineering Lab at UMass Lowell, exploring how genetically engineered yeast could convert landfill plastics into useful products.
“I love science, and now I have a newfound interest in chemical engineering,” says Soth, who worked in the lab with Associate Professor of Chemical EngineeringDongming Xie and Ph.D. student Umer Abid.
Soth was one of 19 local high school students who landed paid internships in UMass Lowell labs this summer through the university’s Professional Research Opportunities to Prepare for Engineering and Life Sciences (PROPEL) Careers Program.
Launched in 2021, PROPEL aims to develop the next generation of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learners through paid research experiences, mentorship and professional development activities. Geared toward students from Massachusetts’ 26 midsized Gateway Cities as well as those from high schools where at least 25% of the student population is considered low-income, PROPEL challenges students to solve real-world problems in engineering and the life sciences while also preparing them for college and careers.
Image by courtesy
PROPEL participants pose for a group selfie during a field trip to Harvard University this summer.
“For many, this is their very first job and their first time doing real science,” says Biomedical Engineering Assistant Professor Yanfen Li, who co-directs the program with Teaching Professor Adam St. Jean. “We introduce them to the college setting, and they can find a community of students their age who think the same way as them. We build their confidence to show them that, hey, you can do this too.”
PROPEL is a competitive program, with just 15% to 20% of applicants chosen, Li says. This summer’s cohort was matched with one of nine faculty mentors from the Francis College of Engineering or Kennedy College of Sciences. They spent 40 hours a week in the lab, supplemented by weekly workshops on topics such as résumé writing, technical presentations and college readiness.
Students also visited Harvard Medical School’s MEDscience Simulation Lab and local biotech startups at the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2) in Lowell to see how research can translate into careers.
Image by Ed Brennen
PROPEL participants were partnered with UMass Lowell faculty members for paid full-time internships in their research labs over the summer.
At the conclusion of the two-month program, students presented their work to faculty, industry leaders and family members at a poster session in Alumni Hall.
Cyrus Bridge, a rising senior at Lowell High, worked with Biomedical Engineering Associate Professor Chiara Ghezzi and Assistant Professor Bryan Black on improving a filtration device used in research on gum tissue.
“I didn’t really know how college research works, but it definitely gave me a sense of how grad students, undergrads and professors all work together on projects,” says Bridge, who is interested in studying biology in college.
Trey Lewis, a rising senior at Dracut High School, worked with chemical engineering Ph.D. student Haenah Kim to design and build a custom wheelchair for a cat named Soupy at the Lowell Humane Society. Using PVC piping and 3D-printed parts, they created a lightweight device that cost less than $40.
Image by Ed Brennen
Hussein Sounalah, left, a rising senior at Dracut High School, shares his work as a PROPEL intern during the program's closing poster presentations at Alumni Hall.
“It was stressful at times, but it feels great seeing the final product and knowing it could help a cat,” says Lewis, who enjoyed learning more about UMass Lowell as he begins his college search.
“It feels great to see the extensive research that goes on here, which is something I definitely want in a school,” he says. “It’s a nice environment. Everyone is so friendly and willing to help you, which I love.”
Li notes that around 70% of PROPEL participants end up applying to UMass Lowell, with around half of those enrolling. Siya Patel, a rising sophomore honors biomedical engineering major, took part while attending Lowell High and now serves as a peer mentor for the program.
For sponsors like the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the program aligns with a mission to broaden access to STEM careers.
“It’s amazing to see the quality of their work,” says Linda Lee, the center’s director of educational partnerships. “One of our main goals is to give these young students access to hands-on learning outside of the classroom, where they really understand why what they learn matters.”
Other faculty mentors this summer were Walfre Franco (biomedical engineering), Lei Chen (mechanical and industrial engineering), Tzuyang Yu (civil and environmental engineering), Mingdi Yan (chemistry) and Wei Guo (physics).
Li says faculty get something out of the program as well.
“If you’re stuck on a research project, work with a PROPEL student, because they bring so much energy, and their excitement is going to make you excited,” Li says. “And they’re such fast learners. It’s incredible how much they learn and grow over the course of the summer.”