Discovery in Action CATALYST STUDENTS PRESENT THEIR RESEARCH
At Gilmour’s 45 th and 46 th Catalyst Symposiums, students presented the results of months of hands-on scientific research conducted alongside professional mentors at active laboratories at leading institutions. The experience allows them to contribute to real research projects while developing skills in scientific inquiry, experimentation and presentation. The 45 th Symposium highlighted the work of Yuetong (Tinsley) Zhang ’26 , Ellie Zorska ’26 and Eva Savelli ’26 , who spent the summer conducting research in biomedical and genetic sciences. Yuetong (Tinsley) Zhang ’26 — Working with Dr. Zhu at Case Western Reserve University, Zhang studied Parkinson’s disease by investigating how a mutation in the VPS35 gene affects the accumulation of proteins associated with the disorder. Using immunohistochemistry techniques, she analyzed brain tissue in a mouse model to better understand how the disease progresses. Ellie Zorska ’26 — In Dr. Fang Chen’s lab at CWRU, Zorska synthesized gold nanobipyramids and tested them as contrast agents for optical coherence tomography imaging, exploring ways to improve noninvasive visualization of retinal ganglion cells for earlier detection of glaucoma. Eva Savelli ’26 — Working in Dr. Kristian Baker’s CWRU genetics lab (alongside Catalyst alumna Kendall Long ’23 - see College Corner on pg. 8), Savelli studied nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, a cellular pathway that prevents the production of harmful proteins. Using CRISPR gene editing in yeast, she created tagged proteins to help researchers study how key molecules interact within this process. At the 46 th Catalyst Symposium, Conor Tietjen ’26 , Esther Dai’26 and Charissa Baleskie ’26 presented the research they did over the fall semester focused on genetic disease, tissue regeneration and nerve repair. Conor Tietjen ’26 — In Dr. Mead’s lab at CWRU, Tietjen studied Neonatal Marfan Syndrome, helping validate a mouse model that researchers can use to better understand the disease and test potential treatments. Esther Dai ’26 — Working in Dr. Sikder’s lab at Cleveland State University, Dai worked to optimize hydrogel scaffolds used in regenerative medicine by adjusting polymer crosslinking to improve their structure and strength for repairing severe muscle injuries. Charissa Baleskie ’26 — In Dr. Uz’s lab at Cleveland State, Baleskie explored new approaches to treating peripheral nerve injuries, investigating how electrical stimulation on a graphene scaffold could transform stem cells into Schwann-like cells that support nerve regeneration. Together, their work reflects the spirit of inquiry and discovery that defines Catalyst — a signature Gilmour program that gives students the rare opportunity to contribute to real scientific research while still in high school.
Yuetong (Tinsley) Zhang ’26, Ellie Zorska ’26 and Eva Savelli ’26
Esther Dai ’26
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