FAQ about the 2026 Summer Catalyst Research Program
Program Overview
Q: What is Summer Catalyst?
Summer Catalyst is an intensive, inquiry-based research program where high school students conduct authentic scientific research alongside experienced mentors. Students work in small teams on original projects with real, unknown outcomes — just like professional scientists.
Q: Who leads the program?
Dr. Liz Krider (PhD Chemistry, Caltech) and Mr. Manjula Gunawardana (BS/MS UCLA, Microbiology and Public Health) are co-directors, bringing a combined 30 years of research mentoring and publication experience.
Q: How big are the research teams?
Students work in small project groups of approximately four, each with a dedicated undergraduate Teaching Assistant (TA). TAs are trained in the lab methods, experimental design, and collaboration needed for each project.
Q: Is this a residential or commuter program?
Catalyst is a commuter program based in Monrovia, CA. Housing is the responsibility of students and their families. The lab is accessible by car and public transit. Past students from outside Southern California have participated successfully. Detailed location and transit information is provided after acceptance.
Eligibility & Prerequisites
Q: Who can apply?
Motivated 9th–12th grade students currently enrolled in a US high school. There is no geographic restriction. In recent years, students have participated from Massachusetts, Texas, the San Francisco Bay Area, Orange County, and throughout Southern California.
Q: Does my student need prior lab experience?
No. Every technique is taught from the ground up. Students who complete Catalyst will receive a certificate documenting their lab training and skill descriptions for college applications and resumes.
Q: Does my student need a certain GPA or test scores?
We review applications holistically. We look for scientific curiosity, comfort with uncertainty, a collaborative personality, and genuine commitment to the schedule. There is no minimum GPA or test score.
Program Schedule
Q: What are the program dates for Summer 2026?
The program has three phases: (1) Asynchronous foundational learning (approximately 8 hours, completed on your own schedule in May/June); (2) Live online Pre-Lab Training via Zoom, June 22–26, 1:30–3:00 PM PST*; and (3) In-person lab weeks, July 6–24, 10:00 AM – 4:30/5:00 PM in Monrovia, CA. The program concludes with a Student Showcase for family and friends on July 24 at 2:30 PM. *The Pre-lab start and stop times are tentative; subject to change upon final confirmation.
Q: What are the attendance expectations?
All three phases are required. Each phase builds on the previous one, and group decisions made during Pre-Lab directly shape the lab work. Students should plan to attend all 15 lab days; missing more than two days may significantly impact results. If your student has scheduling conflicts with Summer Catalyst, we recommend exploring our weekend or bootcamp programs offered multiple times per year.
Q: Can my student participate in other activities during the program?
The lab day starts at 10:00 AM and runs until 4:30/5:00 PM. The program is intensive and requires full daily attendance, so overlapping commitments during lab hours (summer school, jobs, other programs) are not compatible.
Q: What homework is expected?
Students complete foundational learning modules independently before Pre-Lab begins. During Pre-Lab week, nightly assignments support the next day’s group decisions. Between Pre-Lab and the start of lab (June 27–July 5), students complete proposal tasks to prepare for the in-person work.
Research Projects
Q: What research topics are available?
Students work on one of five original research projects spanning microbiology, molecular biology, chemistry, medicine, and environmental science. Current topics include biofilm research for chronic wound healing, microbiome science, natural products for metabolic health, antibiotic resistance tracking, and nitrogen gene mapping for food security. Students indicate their interests in the application and can refine their preferences after acceptance.
Q: Are the experiments real?
Yes. These are authentic, open-ended research projects with unknown outcomes. Results are not staged. Students may discover something genuinely new, and they may also experience experiments that don’t work as expected. Both outcomes are valuable learning experiences.
Q: Do projects change from year to year?
The research themes are ongoing — each year’s cohort advances the work from where the previous year left off. The specific experiments evolve based on the directions students choose with the time and materials available.
What Students Learn
Q: What lab techniques will students learn?
All students are trained in foundational skills including precision micropipetting, spectrophotometry, media preparation, serial dilutions, standard curve preparation, data analysis, and figure creation. Project-specific techniques may include aseptic technique, bacterial culturing, DNA extraction, PCR and qPCR, gel electrophoresis, and tissue culture.
Q: Is there more to the program than lab work?
Yes. The program includes public speaking training, small-group research discussions, professional workshops, guest speakers, scientific writing instruction, AI-tools training for literature research, and a resume and college application workshop.
Q: What is the public speaking component?
Public speaking is a distinctive emphasis of Catalyst. Students learn to communicate their research clearly and compellingly — to serve their audience rather than just report data. This training prepares students for conference presentations, college interviews, conversations with professors and employers, and self-advocacy. Even shy or introverted students report feeling significantly more confident afterward.
Safety
Q: Is the lab safe for high school students?
Yes. Students receive thorough safety training before and during their first days in the lab. They work under direct supervision at all times, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (lab coats, gloves, safety glasses, closed-toe shoes), and follow documented protocols. The facility includes professional biosafety equipment. All organisms used are standard, non-pathogenic laboratory strains commonly used in educational and research settings.
Cost & Financial Aid
Q: How much does the program cost?
The program fee for Summer 2026 is $5,500 per student. This includes all laboratory materials and reagents, safety equipment and training, 120+ hours of instruction and mentorship, inquiry-based undergraduate-level projects, a college essay workshop, access to local professionals, certificate of completion, and skills certification.
Q: Is a payment plan available?
Yes. The total fee is divided into installments. Details on the payment schedule are provided upon acceptance.
Q: Is financial aid available?
Yes. Financial aid is available upon request. Contact us to discuss your family’s needs.
Application Process
Q: What does the application involve?
The application includes a written response (provided as a Google Doc template, submitted via Google Form), an unofficial academic transcript, and a checklist of acknowledgements. A teacher questionnaire from a math or science teacher is required after acceptance.
Q: What is the application timeline?
The application deadline is Wednesday, April 1st at 11:59 PM PST, with notification by April 14th. Applications received after the deadline are reviewed on a space-available basis.
After the Program
Q: What does my student receive at the end?
A certificate of completion documenting the hours of instruction and a skills certification document listing trained competencies, signed by the program directors.
Q: Can students present their research at conferences?
Yes. Depending on project results, students can apply to present their work at regional science fairs or academic venues. Poster and talk preparation classes are available as optional add-on programs with separate fees.
Q: Can students publish their research?
Publication is possible if the data support it, but publication is not guaranteed. The program focuses on the skills and experience of conducting curiosity-driven research. The diverse standards of peer-reviewed journals make it unrealistic to promise that all results will be accepted for publication.
Q: Does the program help with college applications?
Yes. Students leave with a unique research story, documented lab skills, a presentation portfolio, and the confidence to discuss their work in interviews and essays. The final day includes a resume and college application workshop. Letters of recommendation may also be available based on student performance.
Q: Can my student stay connected after the program?
Yes. Dr. Liz provides ongoing mentorship through quarterly workshops offered free of charge covering college applications, professor outreach, and independent projects. Outstanding alumni may return as Catalyst Fellows (undergraduate TAs).
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