STEM Program

Designing a Science-Based Strategy to Prepare for the Next Pandemic

Faculty Advisor: Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest School of Medicine

Research Program Introduction

The year 2020 marked a timeless battle between Mother Nature and human ingenuity. SARS-CoV-2 emerged as the perfect biological storm. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, one fact is certain—there will be another pandemic. What can we do scientifically to prepare for the next pandemic?

In this program, students will learn the basic principles of biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, and immunology necessary to conduct independent research on COVID-19.  Students will learn to address the following questions:

  • What are the components of our immune system, and how do they work?

  • What are viruses, and why do they make us sick?

  • How does our body detect and fight viruses?

  • What is COVID-19, and how can we treat it?

  • How do COVID-19/SARS-Cov-2 tests work?

  • How do vaccines work?

  • What differentiates the current vaccines for COVID-19?

During each segment of this research program, the students will be introduced to one of these topics and provided with reading materials and follow-up questions for independent research. Students will also learn general and subject-specific research and academic writing methods used in universities and scholarly publications.

At the end of the practicum, students will have a good understanding of key aspects of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the etiology of COVID-19, and its impact on human health. Students will be able to formulate strategies 1) to prevent the next pandemic, 2) to identify new drugs and therapies, and 3) to design new vaccines.

Final Deliverables

Each student should prepare a 5 to 7-page paper based on the materials presented and discussed at the meetings. The paper should outline a proposal for a comprehensive strategy with specific recommendations to prepare the country for the next COVID-19 pandemic. It should be written from the perspective of the student's country’s top health official and serve as a science—and data-based recommendation to his/her government.

Requirements

To excel in class, students must attend class fully, participate in class discussions, complete weekly independent research assignments and a final paper, and ideally, publish the paper (not mandatory). Each section and the final paper will be graded as pass/fail.

Program Details

  • Cohort size: 3 to 5 students

  • Duration: 12 weeks

  • Workload: Around 4 to 5 hours per week (including class and homework time)

  • Target students: 9 to 12th graders interested in science, biology, immunology, and/or medicine. Applicants should have good English speaking and writing skills and a basic understanding of biochemistry and human physiology.