Alexis Semmel creates hands-on research experience for William Penn students

When doctoral student Alexis “Lexi” Semmel realized that students at her alma mater, William Penn High School, had limited exposure to university-level science, she decided something had to change.

Semmel organized a half-day visit to UD, introducing 25 WPHS students to active research labs in the Department of Biological Sciences. Partnering with WPHS science teacher Megan Bone and her faculty advisor, Associate Professor Jessica Tanis, Semmel coordinated demonstrations led by multiple research groups.

Students explored four model systems central to modern biology: C. elegans in Tanis’s lab; sea urchins in Jia Song’s lab; eukaryotic cells in the labs of Justin Parreno and Velia Fowler; and frogs in Shuo Wei’s lab. Faculty and graduate researchers shared how these organisms help answer fundamental questions in genetics, development and human health.

“The students were excited to learn more about scientific exploration,” Semmel said. One participant later wrote, “I am really grateful that I got to experience a lot of cool things and see the ‘micro’ things around me!”

For Semmel, the impact was clear: At least one student left newly inspired to pursue a career in biological research—an important step toward broadening participation in STEM fields.