Aadarsh Senthil, a senior at Avon High School, proudly presented his poster and study conducted at the Center for DNA-Guided Medicine during the Avon Summer 2023 Internship Showcase Symposium on September 26, 2023. Addressing students and parents, he shared how the center's teachings ignited a curiosity for learning new skills and acquiring valuable hands-on work experience. Mr. Senthil envisions a career in Bio-Medical Engineering as he pursues his dreams in the field.

The words below are from a staff member at Avon High School.

“I am grateful for your mentorship, and I look forward to engaging in future internship opportunities with you.”

Maria Mascoli
Internship Coordinator - Avon High School
Avon Public Schools

Aadarsh presents his first personalized medicine study poster

Aadarsh Senthil from Avon High School

In a remarkable display of leadership and passion for science, Ms. Prisha Thomas a high school student from East Catholic (Manchester, CT) has taken on the role of an educator, guiding middle schoolers through the intricacies of working in a DNA Molecular Lab. This inspiring initiative not only demonstrates the student's advanced understanding of molecular science but also serves as an example of cross-generational knowledge sharing. The high school mentor imparts valuable skills to the middle school students (pictured above), fostering an early interest in the fascinating world of DNA research and laboratory techniques. This hands-on learning experience not only enriches the younger students' scientific knowledge but also instills a sense of curiosity and excitement for the possibilities within the field of molecular biology.

Prisha has a deep affection for animals and aspires to pursue a career as a veterinary doctor upon completing high school.

East Catholic High School Student Displays Leadership and Passion for Science.

Prisha from East Catholic High School

Ms. Anaedo, a rising senior at Glastonbury High School, has demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill in the realm of health sciences. Enrolling in our health science program during the spring session of 2023, Ms. Anaedo has undergone comprehensive training in the application of DNA molecular methods within the specialized domains of Cardiology, Psychiatry, and Women's Health. With a steadfast goal of following in her mother's footsteps to become a physician, she aspires to specialize in forensics. We are delighted to announce that Ms. Anaedo has successfully secured a coveted seat in the High School Student Research Apprentice Program at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, CT. This program, tailored for 11th-grade students interested in medicine, dental medicine, or biomedical research, offers a unique opportunity for hands-on research experience in either basic science or clinical laboratories. Ms. Anaedo's prior knowledge and experience gained in our program played a pivotal role in her attainment of this prestigious internship position. The Center for DNA-Guided Medicine extends heartfelt congratulations to her on this remarkable achievement.

Jachimma secures spot in UCONN's Student Research Apprentice Program

Jachimma from Glastonbury High School

Congratulations to Mr. Dominic for being accepted into "The Summer Science Program" Bloomington, Indiana, one of the most prestigious and selective STEM programs in the world.

"My time at the Center for DNA Guided Medicine has been nothing short of life-changing. Having previously spent time in a lab, I knew what I was getting myself into when I signed up for a science program. However, the personalized experience that Mohan and his team provided completely surpassed my expectations. In traditional schooling, the theory of science is often loose and ungraspable to students without exposure to its implications in the real world. However, in this program, scientific theory is supported by actual laboratory experience, cementing knowledge and showing the world of science and medicine to students in a previously out-of-reach way. Following mentors who have been in the field for decades enabled me to fully explore and understand their research in fields entirely new to me. Access to state-of-the-art machinery allowed me to get a hands-on approach to what goes on in the industrial field of laboratory medicine, beyond anything I had previously learned or done in school. In addition to equipment, the team’s teaching style catered specifically to my needs, extending beyond scientific instruction. Within the program I found passion and creativity, but also a place where I could share my personal ideas and life, earning high-quality wisdom. Combining scientific knowledge and experience with real-world aid guided me towards applying and being admitted to one of the most prestigious and selective STEM programs in the world, the Summer Science Program. My time in the program has been immensely beneficial to my future, and I plan to continue my time with the laboratory in researching, writing, and publishing my own paper in a journal."

Dominic gets admitted to "The Summer Science Program" in Bloomington, Indiana.

Dominic from Conard High School

The Center for DNA-Guided Medicine has been extended an invitation to actively participate in the Career Fair hosted by Norwich Technical High School. This collaboration offers a valuable opportunity for the Center to engage with students and provide insights into the diverse career paths within the fields of DNA-guided medicine and allied health care. The Career Fair serves as a platform for fostering meaningful connections between professionals and students, facilitating an exchange of knowledge and experiences that can inspire the next generation of individuals interested in pursuing careers in these dynamic and impactful fields.

In the accompanying image, the team from The Center for DNA-Guided Medicine engages with students, offering expertise and guidance to support their exploration of potential career opportunities within the dynamic fields of cutting-edge medical research and practice.

Career Fair hosted by Norwich Technical High School

Empowering Futures: Center for DNA Guided Medicine Headlines Norwich Technical School's Premier Career Fair

Congratulations to our student and Connecticut State Champion Mehana N. Ms. Mehana won the first place (Gold Medal) in Chemistry and Second place (Silver Medal) in Biology at the Connecticut State Science Olympiad competition. She also bagged Second place (Silver) in Astronomy and Fermi. Ms. Mehana is also our Science Ambassador selected for the town of South Windsor for the current year. A title given to our students driven and motivated to promoting Science. She has won medals in all of her participating events for a total of 4. She now heads to Wichita Kansas where she will represent our great State of Connecticut at the National Science Tournament. Center for DNA-Guided Medicine and its staff wish her the very best at the nationals.

"When I first joined this program, I was debating between studying computer science and medicine. As I spent more time in the lab, I learned more about personalized medicine and I enjoyed working with high tech equipment, and my love for biology grew. I ended up feeling like computer science was a better fit for me, but I still want to keep ties with biology. The program opened my eyes to fields that combined both areas I loved, such as bioinformatics and biotechnology, just to name a couple. I would definitely recommend this program as it helps high schoolers learn more about the practical application of biology, gives them a hands-on experience that they’ll never forget, and connects them to the medical field."

Mehana wins Gold at Connecticut state science olympiad.

Mehana from South Windsor High School

Mr. Mohan Kocherla addressed 11th and 12th graders at Norwich Technical High School's Biotechnology Department, providing insights into personalized medicine and Allied Health Care career paths. The accompanying image shows Mr. Kocherla illustrating Center for DNA-Guided Medicine's day-to-day operations, engaging students in various activities across research and clinical departments. He encouraged students to consider the dynamic field of allied health care, emphasizing its expanding horizons. Notably, Mr. Kocherla highlighted personalized medicine applications in oncology, optimizing cancer therapies through genetic marker analysis. He also discussed genetic testing in cardiology for identifying cardiovascular disease risks and personalized medication selection in psychiatry, enhancing mental health treatment efficacy.

“Mr. Kocherla's presentation proved to be truly inspiring for the members of our Biotech Student Body.”

Amanda Pearson
School Counselor
Norwich Technical High School

Norwich Technical High School Hosts Center for DNA-Guided Medicine

Unlocking Futures: Norwich Technical High School Hosts Center for DNA-Guided Medicine for an Inspiring Student Talk on Careers in Personalized Medicine and Allied Health Care Fields!

Congratulations to Griffin J., a student of ours, who has been accepted into the prestigious biological sciences program at Drexel University with a focus on cell and gene therapy! Griffin is passionate about regenerative medicine and wishes to work in the field of stem cell research. He has worked really hard and is now ready to pursue his ambition, which will undoubtedly become a reality over the next few years. The Center for DNA-Guided Medicine wishes him the best on his next adventure and would be happy to have him do any future internships with us while he is a student at Drexel.

My time at Center for DNA Guided Medicine was such an unforgettable experience that introduced me to a new aspect of science that I was unfamiliar with. I received a valuable hands-on experience in a clinical lab environment that provided me with the chance to work with advanced instruments as well as laboratory techniques. We performed complex assays, which included genotyping, DNA extraction, and even PCR COVID-19 testing. The instructors made the program easy to understand as well as challenged us to ask questions. They were friendly and supportive in providing a comfortable and safe environment. One of the most valuable aspects of the program was the influence it had on me guiding my future career path. It showed me what I would be doing in a real lab, researching, testing, and discovering results. It really showed me what type of environment I want to spend the rest of my career in. I strongly recommend the program to any high school student interested in a real experience to learn about science.

Griffin from Avon High School, CT

Congratulations to our student Sri S. for publishing his first ever paper titled “

Ending The Opioid Abuse Epidemic Among Construction Workers Through NSAID Therapy and Genetic Screening for CYP2C9 Genetic Variants.

” This exceptional research and literature review article was published by Curieux Academic Journal. The paper can be accessed via the following link - 

November 2022 (curieuxacademicjournal.com)

Sri wishes to pursue Bio-Medical Engineering and is awaiting replies from top universities. The team at Center for DNA-Guided Medicine stands by his success and hard work as he enters the next level in his career.

This program piqued my interest in the laboratory and technological side of science and medicine. It changed my perception that laboratory science would be boring and repetitive. In fact, I found it quite interesting. However, I recognize that one must have a strong passion to enter the field of science. Having small groups and highly motivated and knowledgeable instructors increased the amount of personal attention, allowing us to gain thorough knowledge and dive further into our specific areas of interest. I now want to choose a college courseload that has an emphasis on research and its technological and clinical applications. This program would help me convey a strong interest in science and a research mindset because I am now able to discuss the technicalities of research and development in a more guided and advanced manner. Overall, I am quite pleased that I was able to get such a personalized, in-depth experience. The laboratory techniques I have learned provided me with the basic skills necessary to be competent in biological laboratories. I felt that learning how to operate biotechnology was the most useful and interesting experience, as technology is rapidly evolving and becoming increasingly prevalent in the field of medical research. Learning about the medical research progress is extremely important even for those who are more interested in the clinical side, so I would recommend this program to anyone passionate about biology, medicine, and research. If I am still in the Northeast for college, then I will definitely keep in touch with the Center for DNA-Guided Medicine.