Exoskeletons and Scientific Method on Display at NJIT High School Research Event

Unique projects in fields such as computing, healthcare and social media stood out at New Jersey Institute of Technology's High School Summer Research Internship program this year.

Thanushri Serweswaran, a rising senior at Edison's J.P. Stevens high school, won first place for her work in creating virtual models of exoskeletons. The models are part of wider research from NJIT and the University of Delaware into the strain on human joints when lifting heavy objects.

Serweswaron said she hopes to be admitted into NJIT's Albert Dorman Honors College, either as a biology or biomedical engineering major. In the summer project, she enjoyed working with Associate Professor Xianlian Zhoi and postdoctoral researcher Rachel Jones, in their role as mentors for the program.

About 40 students from 10th and 11th grades, and from all around New Jersey, participated in the six-week event. The final presentation took place in early August, just before students' minds turn to back-to-school planning. "The highly competitive program is designed to inspire the students to appreciate the value of discovery and innovation with the ultimate objective of encouraging them to pursue a career in science and lifelong learning," university officials stated.

Take all of these opportunities and leverage from them what you are about to do.

In welcoming the students to the research showcase, "You are already 10 steps ahead of my generation," explained NJIT's Atam Dhawan, senior vice-provost for research. In embarking on their collegiate choices, he said, "Take all of these opportunities and leverage from them what you are about to do."

Their projects varied widely and some were especially unique. Caroline Chin, from Morris County School of Technology, found that plastic particles which pervade the planet can enter fetuses through a placenta — meaning people can have plastic in their bodies, before they're even born. Anantrao Chinta, of Manalapan High School, found that hate speech detection systems in social media are inaccurate because of bias in the examined data. He said that he'd like more conclusive results, and that he learned to use multiple research methods next time rather than relying on a single method.

Keira Chen, of Pingry School, demonstrated part of an NJIT project that involved a $450,000 grant to make software more reliable and bug-free.

Maeve Marko did her high school research at Maplewood's Columbia school and now is an NJIT student. She studied whether light can activate cancer drugs, thereby adding control over when and where the drugs do their job in your body. Her work was part of a related program with the U.S. Army.

"Throughout this whole program, I have met so many incredible people, from the seasoned professors, the department head, my mentor and all the way to my fellow interns. Everyone I have met throughout this whole program has been brilliant, kind and supportive, allowing us to all lift each other to greater heights," said Jackson Liberty High School's Tanner Hume, who like Serweswaran worked on virtual exoskeletal models. "Seeing somebody walking for the first time in years was amazing, especially when I consider that I am doing my part to help."