Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES)
2011 Summer Scholars
Alesha Daniels
Alesha was a rising junior at Central High School when she attended the TREES program. She is interested in protecting wildlife from the environmental stresses caused by humans. During the TREES program, Alesha attempted to degrade a commonly used pesticide to reduce its toxicity to susceptible species of amphibians.
Katey Schatz
In the TREES program, Katey Schatz was a rising senior at Central High School. During TREES, Katey’s project was based on determining estrogen in placenta shampoos by using a specific yeast assay called BLYES. She would like to pursue a double major in environmental science and business. Outside of the lab, Katey enjoys editing her school’s literary magazine, singing, and working at the zoo, raising awareness on environmental issues.
Jenny Silver
Jenny Silver was a rising sophomore at Cherry Hill High School East when she attended the TREES program. Jenny is very interested in environmental history, including the modern environmental movement. Jenny enjoys volunteering at The Academy of Natural Sciences in the Butterflies!exhibit, tending to her organic garden to donate vegetables to shelters, and running her nonprofit organization, Bowling for Bears, which donates teddy bears to children in need. For her project, Jenny studied uses for glycerol, the waste by-product of biodiesel. Jenny used glycerol extracted from biodiesel to grow yeast and E. coli, with the hope of quantifying waste glycerol’s ability to act as a dextrose source. This application of waste glycerol could alleviate the issue of excess glycerol, making biodiesel use more practical
Claire Song
Claire was a rising junior at Radnor High School when she attended the TREES program. She is interested in science—especially biology, chemistry, and biomedical topics. Her project in TREES involved using activated charcoal to filter Basophilia– an endocrine disrupt or— out of drinking water. She aspires to do medical or environmental research one day. In her free time, Claire enjoys playing tennis, practicing the piano, painting, and reading. She also enjoys Milano cookies very much. Claire returned to coordinate the TREES program in the summer of 2012.
Ben Wang
Ben was a rising senior at Council Rock High School North during his time at the TREES program. At TREES, Ben researched different methods of sequestering carbon dioxide from emissions by using mineral sequestration and beneficial use of glycerol, an unwanted byproduct of biodiesel production, as a solvent for Calcium Hydroxide. Ben is also an avid member of his schools Environmental Action Club, National Honor Society and Orchestra, and plays violin in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. He currently attends Columbia University (Class of 2016) and plans to major in biology while following a pre-med track.
Wendy Woods
Wendy Woods was a 15 year-old rising sophomore during her time at the TREES program. She is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and now lives in Philadelphia where she attends Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy. She enjoys playing the piano, playing tennis, and she has a strong passion for exploring scientific issues, especially the environmental effects on animals. Her project focused on removing phosphate rich agricultural runoff from lakes and streams using crushed brick.
Sotia Zenios
When she was at TREES, Sotia was a rising junior at The Grammar School, in Nicosia Cyprus. She is fascinated with environmental issues and is engaged in initiatives trying to decrease environmental pollution. She is hoping to be able to integrate environmental and business studies in college. Sotia is a competitive athlete and a member of the National Karate team of Cyprus with experience in national and international tournaments. At TREES, her research project revolved around the damaging effects of UV radiation and the oxidative damage to cells. She studied the protective antioxidant action of phenolic compounds extracted from known botanicals.
» Top
© The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania || Site best viewed in supported browser. || Site Design: PMACS Web Team