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Extended Research Program

Learn scientific thinking, systematic literature review & writing.

Now accepting applications for 2025 extended research program (ERP) for high school & exceptional middle school students.
The Extended Research Program (ERP) is a 12-week online research initiative tailored for academically motivated students with a keen interest in biomedical sciences. The program places a strong emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills, empowering students to undertake independent projects and actively contribute to ongoing scientific investigations.
ERP fellows conduct their research under the mentorship of an established scientist with a proven track record in the field.

Our mission is to provide motivated students with early exposure to the dynamic and exciting world of scientific research. Through a semester-long research project, students cultivate essential skills, including systematic and rational thinking, overcoming bias, distinguishing causation from correlation, applying statistical methods, conducting literature reviews, and mastering scientific writing.
Distinguish yourself, fuel your ambition, and stand out with advanced knowledge and superior preparation.
For those passionate about medicine, ERP offers a research opportunity to develop critical thinking, scientific literacy, and practical skills —offering invaluable early insights into the realm of medical discovery and innovation. This immersive experience helps students deepen their understanding of research in areas that resonate with their interests.

Research Tracks

Molecular Medicine and Genomics
Neuroscience
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Enhance your academic profile with early start, in-depth knowledge and research skills for pursuing medicine in high school, college and beyond.
Once an Elio student - you always have access to our mentors, vast set of resources, and alumni students who have gone over to have successful careers.

ERP Support for Students

Topic Selection & Research
  • Conduct guided research in biomedical sciences through live sessions in your area of interest.

  • Explore advancements using cutting-edge tools, software, methodologies, and reputable databases.

  • Learn ethics and best practices, including academic integrity, data handling, GCP, and SOPs.

Logical Deductions
  • Develop evidence-based reasoning by gathering credible data and distinguishing knowledge from perception bias.

  • Learn structured analysis by breaking down complex ideas, examining relationships, and identifying patterns or inconsistencies.

  • Master objective evaluation by remaining unbiased and using clear criteria for well-supported conclusions.

Assistance & Insights
  • Receive personalized feedback and guidance from experienced professionals to clarify complex topics and provide direction.

  • Engage in group discussions, mentorship, and reviews to enhance learning, critical thinking, and collaboration.

  • Utilize tools, databases, and platforms to streamline data analysis, literature reviews, and organization of research findings.

Achievements
  • ERP Fellows complete their apprenticeship by producing a publication, research poster, or featured website.

  • High-achieving students receive coaching and access to exclusive onsite training opportunities at leading academic institutions and industry settings.

  • Research experience enhances college applications and scholarships, showcasing initiative, analytical skills, and commitment to scientific inquiry.

How does the ERP work?

ERP is structured to provide a semester-long comprehensive learning experience. ERP focuses on recent breakthroughs in medicine and enables deeper understanding of the topic.
Students actively explore cutting-edge topics and innovations in medical advancements while developing proficiency in research methodologies, analytical tools, and data interpretation techniques. The curriculum includes milestones to guide progress, with students receiving regular feedback from mentors to ensure they stay on track.
Successful program completion paves the way for future opportunities by cultivating critical skills, fostering collaboration, strengthening academic profiles, and expanding professional networks. Research outcomes enhance visibility through conferences, publications, and competitions, providing a solid foundation for long-term success in academia and beyond.

Student Benefits

Mentorship from Subject Experts
  • Gain expert guidance and credible feedback from instructors with strong academic, research, or industry backgrounds.

  • Small group settings foster rapport with instructors and provide opportunities for in-depth research.

  • Regular reviews, one-on-one mentorship, and constructive feedback support growth and sustain motivation throughout the program.

Research Outcomes
  • Comprehensive research project report or manuscript summarizing findings and insights.

  • Formally present research at scientific competitions to effectively communicate outcomes.

  • Develop critical thinking, gap analysis, problem-solving, data analysis, literature review, and scientific writing skills, showcasing practical and academic competencies.

Early Exposure to Research
  • Develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and confidence to tackle complex academic challenges.

  • Gain a competitive edge in college applications while refining career goals. Many of our ERP fellows are prepared to engage in part-time research at college laboratories as early as their freshman year.

  • Build valuable connections with mentors and peers, fostering a foundation for lifelong learning and innovation.

Build Profile to Support College Applications
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge, self-motivation, and depth, enhancing your college admission profile.

  • Highlight your passion and stand out from other applicants.

  • Build a strong network by connecting with scientific communities, mentors, and internships, paving the way for future academic and career success.

ERP connects students passionate about medicine with opportunities in academic and industry-led research, as well as access to mentors, internships, and conferences, building a strong foundation for future academic and career success.

Through the program, fellows gain valuable insights into their aptitudes, shaping their future educational paths. Many past ERP fellows have joined research laboratories at their colleges, excelling at institutions such as UCB, MIT, Yale, among others.
By the ERP course completion, the students develop a good understanding of biomedical science. The exposure gained equip them with better foresight for the educational journey ahead.
Lastly, as a part of this nurturing community our students will have access to all our instructors, alumni, and fellow students to discuss and ask questions long after the course completion.

Recent ERP Student Projects

Novel Therapies for Spinal Cord Injury

https://elioacademy.org/student/24/emma-chang

🇺🇸
Emma Chang
(Lynbrook High School)

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), a debilitating condition that disrupts communication between the brain and body, often resulting in paralysis, sensory loss, and chronic health complications. SCI can arise from traumatic events (e.g., accidents) or non-traumatic causes (e.g., degenerative diseases). Diagnosis relies on imaging tools like CT scans, MRIs, and myelograms to assess damage and guide treatment plans.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Disease Progression

https://elioacademy.org/student/24/kayla-roh-and-tarun-chethan

🇺🇸
Kayla Roh and Tarun Chethan
.

ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder, leads to the degeneration of motor neurons, resulting in muscle weakness, loss of motor control, and eventual respiratory failure. The study focuses on the interactions between the SOD1 gene and proteins CCS (Copper Chaperone for Superoxide Dismutase) and Superoxide Dismutase 2

A Comparative Study on HPV-negative Vs. HPV-positive OPSCC

https://elioacademy.org/student/24/siddharth-mitra

🇮🇳
Siddharth Mitra
(10X International School, India)

HPV-positive OPSCC is primarily caused by persistent infection with HPV16, leading to oncogenesis via viral oncoproteins E6 and E7, which disrupt tumor suppressor proteins p53 and Rb1. In contrast, HPV-negative OPSCC is associated with lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and betel quid chewing, leading to mutations in tumor suppressor genes.

TERT Shelterin Complex

https://elioacademy.org/student/23/neerja-bathla

🇺🇸
Neerja Bathla
(Keystone School)

Melanoma accounts for 1.7% of global cancer diagnoses and is the fifth most common cancer in the USIt has risen in developed countries with a majorly fair-skinned population.This project studies the hypothesis that telomerase rever transcriptase (TERT) and shelterin complex (TERF1/2) gene mutations will be present in Melanoma patients, and that the presence of these mutations will lead to a poorer prognosis in melanoma patients.

Science Fair Winner
Human Immunodeficiency Virus

https://elioacademy.org/student/jaein-kho

🇵🇭
Jaein Kho
(Chinese International School)

The progressive loss of CD4+ T-cells within a host due to an outside pathogen leads to a severe immunodeficiency disease called human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As a result, HIV patients are more likely to acquire pathogens from an oncological or infectious nature, and pose lethal threats to the body

Triple Negative Breast Cancer

https://elioacademy.org/student/23/sadhika-pendyala

🇺🇸
Sadhika Pendyala
(The Quarry Lane School)

Triple Negative Breast Cancer is unique because of its lack of HER2, estrogen, and progesterone receptors present in tumors. This limitation greatly reduces treatment options because conventional therapeutic strategies, such as hormone-based treatments and inhibitors, are inefficient and lack efficacy. The identification of distinct TNBC subtypes, such as those associated with BRCA mutations or dysregulated PI3K/AKT pathways, opens avenues for personalized treatments.

Muscular Dystrophy and Genetics of Inheritance

https://elioacademy.org/student/24/adrit-saha

🇺🇸
Adrit Saha
(Hillsborough High School)

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) are conditions that arise from mutations in the dystrophin gene, a critical protein responsible for muscle stability and function. DMD, the more severe form, results from a complete absence of dystrophin, while BMD stems from reduced or partially functional dystrophin protein.

HFrEF: Stem Cell Treatment and Impacts

https://elioacademy.org/student/24/irene-batta-and-alisha-joseph

🇺🇸
Irene Batta and Alisha Joseph

Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) results from conditions like coronary artery disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and genetic mutations affecting heart muscle structure and function. The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) plays a significant role in HFrEF progression by causing vasoconstriction and fluid retention

Multiple Sclerosis

https://elioacademy.org/student/abhisri-3p5x

🇺🇸
Abhisri Korrapati
(Allen D. Nease High School)

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease resulting from demyelination, dangerous areas of the central nervous system (CNS) such as the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. MS is characterized by the destruction of myelin, the sheath that insulates the axon of a nerve, interrupting communication signals in the brain.

Pancreatic Cancer and Therapeutics

https://elioacademy.org/student/katelyn-gelle

🇺🇸
Katelyn Gelle
(Del Norte High School)

In familial pancreatic cancer, there exists a kindred which contains at least a pair of first-degree relatives who were affected with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Roughly 5 to 10 percent of patients suffering from pancreatic adenocarcinoma have this aspect. Half of these with familial pancreatic cancer are male, and the average age at diagnosis of affected members is younger than the usual.

Brain Tumor

https://elioacademy.org/student/mounami-p7uw

🇺🇸
Mounami Reddy Kayitha
(Aragon High School)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant of brain tumors, classified as a grade IV glioma that originates in glial tissue. GBMs have a low median survival rate of 15 months, despite surgery and treatment with a chemotherapy drug. The reasons for this low overall survival rate is because of GBM heterogeneity and differing mutational profiles within the tumor itself.

WANT TO WORK ON YOUR OWN PROJECT ?
Apply to ELIO mentored projects in Genetics, Neuroscience, Medical Data Science, Biochemistry (Click Here)

Application Process

Applications are open now. To apply, please complete the online form along with recommendation letter.

Activities & Credits

Scientific Poster
Students learn to make high quality science posters & hone their presentation skills.
Research Report Manuscript
Learn to draft scientific write-ups with clear and convincing narratives.
Certificates
Outstanding students also get opportunities for long-term projects with mentors.

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What Our Students Say

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ELIO Academy offers an excellent blend of collaborative research opportunities with a chosen partner, complemented by cohort-wide lectures, all guided by an experienced mentor. This early introduction to the fundamentals of biomedical research has provided me with a strong foundation that I can continue to build upon in high school and college. I highly recommend this program to anyone with a deep interest in biomedical sciences and a desire to pursue a future in the field.

Marissa Miller

International High School, SFO, (Project Page)

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