Chyi Ricketts from Union Township Selected for WISE

Annandale, N.J. – Chyi Ricketts from Union Township, N.J., will represent Hunterdon County Vocational School District’s (HCVSD) Biomedical Sciences Academy (BSA) this summer at Rutgers University’s Waksman Institute Summer Experience (WISE). She is the second BSA student this academic year to receive an acceptance to the program, which engages high school students in authentic molecular biology and bioinformatics research. She is the daughter of Michael Ricketts and I-Ping Cheng.

Chyi had prior knowledge of the program, because her sister had attended and her father was an in-school team teacher with the Waksman Student Scholars Program. “I know that this program provides students the exciting opportunity to learn about science by actually doing science,” Michael Ricketts said.

WISE participants focus on the isolation, characterization and DNA sequence analyses of genes from the duckweed Landoltia punctata, and how these compare to those found in other species. Participants analyze the gene sequences using the same bioinformatics tools used by practicing scientists worldwide. They then submit their vetted DNA sequence analyses for publication on GenBank, the international repository of DNA sequences, which is maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Education (NCBI). Each published sequence acknowledges the student responsible for it by name.

“I think that it is essential to engage in extra learning experiences, because they give you a more complete understanding of topics, which will allow me to stand out from others,” said Chyi.
Chyi will join her BSA classmate Esha Patlola at WISE this summer. Both are sophomores in the fulltime, four-year academy administered by HCVSD and housed at North Hunterdon High. Courses are led by BSA instructor Donna Badgwell, Ph.D.

“By focusing on biomedical sciences for four years, BSA students have the opportunity to dig deeper and develop a thorough understanding of an important area with many career opportunities,” said Michael Ricketts of his daughter’s experience in the BSA. “This focus leads to more in-depth understanding, and at the same time, can connect to and supplement their learning in other subjects.” He added that the BSA provides “interesting and helpful communications to parents and students with news and opportunities for students.”

All students in the BSA are accumulating high-level learning experiences through their coursework as well. Hands-on experiences include capstone projects that encourage students to explore biomedical innovations. Courses allow for students to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology and public health. Partner institutions and organizations include Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC), Rutgers School of Health Professions (SHP) and Hunterdon Medical Center. BSA students can earn up to 19 college credits in health and medical courses from Rutgers SHP, and up to three credits from RVCC.

“Students demonstrate their commitment to biomedical sciences simply through their participation in the BSA; they have chosen to apply for this highly focused program, and they have been accepted based on their strong academic records and career interests,” said Jessica Cangelosi-Hade, director of curriculum and academies for HCVSD. “I think that is why our BSA students are competitive when they apply for these selective summer and extracurricular opportunities. Their BSA participation speaks volumes.”

In addition to the Biomedical Sciences Academy, HCVSD operates two other full-time academies that focus on computer science and environmental science. The three academies are among five distinct schools offered by Hunterdon County Vocational School District to serve high school and adult students. The largest is Hunterdon County Polytech Career and Technical School, the district’s shared-time high school that prepares students for seamless transition to college and career paths. HCVSD also operates an Adult and Continuing Education school. Learn more at www.hcvsd.org.

All pupils will be given equal opportunity for enrollment in programs operated by the Hunterdon County Vocational School District regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status (34 C.F.R. Part 100, Appendix B, Section IV-A). No qualified handicapped person shall, on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity which receives federal financial assistance, et seq (34 C.F.R. Part 104.4(a)(b).
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