UC Davis Young Scholars Program

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UC Davis Young Scholars Program

A summer research program for rising high school juniors and seniors to engage with university research & experiences at UC Davis.

Summer research program for high school students

09/04/2026

This summer, Nora researched the effects of pH and concentration on almond protein dispersibility in Dr. Gail Bornhorst's lab.

"The development of plant-based protein has increased in recent years, the aim of which to replicate or even replace animal-based counterparts. While extensive research has been done on many types of plant proteins, almonds remain a mystery. To overcome this knowledge gap, this study investigated the effects of pH and concentration on almond protein behavior, particularly dispersibility (the capability of particles to form stable suspensions within a solvent). Six different solutions of protein concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%) were each calibrated to five separate pH levels between 3 and 7, and the mass of dispersed protein was determined. It was strongly supported that a minimum concentration of protein is required to create a stable network that resists phase separation. Additionally, a proposed isoelectric point was determined through a significant drop in dispersibility."

08/27/2026

This summer, Amaira researched Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity after a Traumatic Brain Injury in Dr. Cecilia Giulivi's lab.

"The project I worked on this summer explored the subcondition called Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity (PSH) after a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). We examined previous literature that addressed these conditions in order to examine whether there were links between PSH and clinical outcomes. We used forest plots in order to examine that there was an insignificant correlation between the two, but also identify outliers that could have changed this. The second aspect of our project was a proteomic analysis that was conducted on CSF and plasma proteins using mass spectrometry to identify the proteins. The proteins examined data from three clinical patient profiles, each with three distinct patient profiles. JMP software was used to preform hierarchal clustering on the data and establish that outcomes determined proteins and biological pathways more than PSH presence. Plasma proteins were also analyzed to draw conclusions that more proteins were examined in patients with poor outcome and PSH. There was also overlap between biological pathways in this clinical outcome only. Overall, our study works towards an increase in PSH standardization and diagnosis."

08/07/2026

Six weeks of summer brought friends and memories that will last a lifetime. YSP 2026 was one for the books!

Video description: Student photos from throughout this year's YSP with text reading "POV: You were part of YSP 2026"

08/04/2026

That’s a wrap on YSP 2026! We’re already missing our scholars but are excited to see where they go next on their journeys in STEM. 🌱🧬🔬🥼

07/28/2026

Snaps from the Bay Area and beyond with the scholars!

07/21/2026

YSP 2026 is in full swing! 🌱 Along with working in labs, our scholars have visited Point Reyes, participated in Sports Day, toured the UC Davis Viticulture and Enology facilities, spent time at the UC Davis Student Farm, and more.

07/17/2026

Work hard 🤝 play hard

Our scholars have been hard at work in the lab and enjoying all Davis has to offer!

06/18/2026

Circadian clocks allow organisms to synchronize their internal processes with environmental cycles. In Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis), the XAP5 Circadian Timekeeper (XCT) gene plays a critical role in regulating this circadian rhythm, with loss-of-function xct-2 mutants exhibiting a shortened ~22-hour period. To further characterize XCT’s genetic function, Shruthi investigated its interaction with HY5, a key light-responsive transcription factor.

Using luciferase-based circadian assays and genotyping, the researchers found that xct-2 hy5-215 double mutants did not show an intermediate circadian phenotype, but rather mirrored the short-period phenotype of the xct-2 single mutant. This suggests that XCT acts downstream of HY5 in the circadian regulatory pathway.

These findings support a genetic hierarchy where HY5 modulates upstream signaling, while XCT executes a downstream effect on clock pace. Given XCT’s evolutionary conservation, including its human homolog FAM50A, which has been implicated in cancer and developmental disorders, this research strengthens the case for Arabidopsis as a model to explore conserved circadian mechanisms with potential biomedical relevance.

06/11/2026

Last summer, Tobey did research with Dr. Georgia Drakakaki to learn whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi help leeks resist salt stress by treating plants with different saline concentrations and measuring growth and health.

Our new cohort of Young Scholars will be joining us on campus in just a few weeks! We can't wait to see what this year's group learns and how they contribute to university research.

06/04/2026

To improve real-time field detection of hazardous air pollutants, Sophie designed a compact thermal desorption device compatible with the HAPSITE system.

By incorporating VOC concentrators such as Tenax TA and Anasorb charcoal, the system captures and preconcentrates trace-level compounds from ambient air. The thermal desorption unit then rapidly heats the sorbents to release VOCs into the analyzer, significantly enhancing sensitivity and enabling efficient, on-site monitoring of volatile organic compounds.

Address

1 Shields Avenue
Davis, CA
95616

Telephone

+15307520622

Website

http://ysp.ucdavis.edu/

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