The Summer 2025 Application is now live!
CATALYST
A "cat·a·lyst" is an agent that accelerates a significant change. In chemistry, a catalyst enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a faster rate.
The Catalyst Research Program is a unique research experience that accelerates the transformation of high school students who are interested in STEM and medicine.Unlock your intellectual potential by conducting your own original laboratory research project with Caltech- and UCLA-trained scientists.It delivers like no other summer research program.
Because of their transformational experience at Catalyst, students start the summer as "version 1.0" and finish as "version 2.0".
Stand Out for Your Passion
The Catalyst Research Program is for Students interested who want to:
MAKE A DIFFERENCE in their communities through scientific discovery.
SHOW EVIDENCE of their scientific interests.
STAND OUT TO COLLEGES for their personal character.
MAXIMIZE their summer opportunities.
Catalyst features advanced lab techniques, data science skills, specialized presentation training, and robust academic writing.Lab work is conducted in a cutting-edge teaching space in Monrovia that is used by federally funded research teams.
All Catalyst students complete the core laboratory experience, which as 2 parts:
Online Pre-lab Training from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM on June 23-27, 2025
and
In-person Research from 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM on July 7-July 31, 2025
Then, Catalyst students can continue with the "PRESENT" Bonus Program that will be held on August 4-7, 2025 (TALK class) and on August 4-5, 2025 (POSTER class).
TALK: Create a research TALK on your results from Catalyst and apply to present at venues that want to feature high school student laboratory research.
POSTER: Create a research poster on your results from Catalyst and apply to present at venues that want to feature high school student laboratory research.
Discover New Knowledge
DESIGN your own studies in environmental science, microbiology, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, and medicine.FIND answers using advanced lab methods and equipment.ANALYZE your results using data science and Python notebooks.
Inspire Through Speaking
CRAFT a TED-style talk to inspire others to embark on their own discovery projects. Past students presented in academic and community settings.
PRESENT your results as a high school student at local venues that want to feature laboratory research projects, whether that comes in the form of a POSTER or a TALK.
Publish Your Work
Learn and practice the skill of academic writing by studying examples from the research literature.Prepare your own 4500-word manuscript that reports the findings from your laboratory project.Submit it for publication in a peer-reviewed journal appropriate for scholarly work by high school researchers.
This Bonus Program will not be offered in 2025.
Mentored by Caltech- and UCLA-trained Scientists
Motivated students learn directly from Dr. Liz Krider (PhD, Caltech) and Mr. Manji Gunawardana (MPH, UCLA) -- two highly experienced researchers who have a combined 30 years of mentoring student research projects in the biological and environmental sciences.
Students thrive in the Catalyst Research Program under their direct mentorship. Students gain valuable experience through the innovative hands-on curriculum that uses real-world research problems as the teaching platform.
A Message to All Students
The Catalyst Research Program truly is that -- a catalyst for your discovery, growth, and inspiration. You can build your character and STEM skills by doing an original project in the lab.Whether you are interested in...
o biofuels (deriving transportation fuel from plants),
o probiotics (evaluating the accuracy of over-the-counter labeling),
o antibiotic resistance (of bacteria in waste water), or the
o chemistry of environmental pollutants (and how to remove them)... we promise that Catalyst will give you an authentic, robust experience that you will remember forever.
Not sure how to select which Bonus Program (PUBLISH, SPEAK, PRESENT)? Email us at "info@summercatalyst.com"
The 2026 applications for 9th-12th graders will open in late-January, 2026.
The Early Action applications will be accepted between February 1 through February 17th, 2026 (@ 11:59 PM PST).
The Final Deadline for 2026 applications will be updated in late-January, 2026.
Selection for the 20 student spots is competitive.Scholarships (financial aid) are available to students who qualify. Please see the application section on financial need.Students are encouraged to demonstrate their character and interests by submitting an application that shows personal reflection and effort. Tell us your story!
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Transcript (unofficial or official)
2. Teacher Questionnaire (instead of a Letter of Recommendation) from a STEM teacher or robotics coach sent separately from your Application. See application for details.
3. Student Application submitted via Google form.
4. Request for financial aid based on need (optional).
5. Submission by 11:59 PM of the deadline listed above.*Please read the Application instructions carefully.
Thank you for getting in touch. We will reply within a few days.
Not sure how to select which Bonus Program (PUBLISH, SPEAK, PRESENT)? Please email us at "info@summercatalyst.com"
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