In a world where science and technology increasingly shape our future, ensuring that diverse voices are represented in these fields is more crucial than ever. The WinSPIRE Summer Research Program at UNC-Chapel Hill is leading the charge in this mission.

WinSPIRE (Women and underrepresented genders in STEM Promoting Inclusion in Research Experiences) is a paid, six-week immersive mentorship program that is dedicated to the advancement of people who identify as a historically marginalized gender in STEM. It provides high school students with the tools, experience and confidence needed to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

WinSPIRE was founded in 2017 by Dr. Samantha Piszkiewicz, then a Ph.D. candidate at UNC-Chapel Hill, who envisioned a program that would offer hands-on research experiences and mentorship to women early in their academic journey. The expansion of the program’s mission to include historically marginalized groups, including first-generation students, reflects a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where all students can thrive.

Since its inception, WinSPIRE has mentored 59 high school students and trained over 200 mentors and volunteers. The program’s success is a testament to the dedication of more than 100 team members across the UNC-Chapel Hill campus who have curated a transformative experience for participants.

In July, WinSPIRE invited a select group of 12 high school students from local North Carolina communities to immerse themselves in scientific research at UNC-Chapel Hill. Shannon Rhoads, executive co-chair and program director of WinSPIRE, emphasized the importance of inclusivity.

“Our goal is to promote gender diversity in STEM fields by providing opportunities to students who are committed to the advancement of underrepresented genders in STEM,” she said. “As part of our program, we provide a supportive and empowering environment to these students.”

The program is structured in three stages: lab research, minilabs and college-prep workshops. In the lab, students are paired with a dedicated mentor, typically a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow, who guides them through a research project. This one-on-one mentorship is invaluable, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in a professional research environment.

“It’s full-time, one-on-one interaction where they’re helping the high school student carry out research they’ve never done before,” said Amanda Brown, who serves as a mentor and program director. “The progress they make is astounding. It’s amazing to see them go from never having taken a science class to explaining complex research concepts after just two weeks.”

One of WinSPIRE’s primary goals is to recruit mentors from diverse STEM fields, ensuring that students are exposed to a broad range of scientific disciplines. This year’s program included Jovan Tormes-Vaquerano, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Applied Physical Sciences, and Reagan Bullins, a Ph.D. candidate in the UNC Neuroscience Center. Both played a pivotal role in guiding students through their research projects and fostering a supportive learning environment.

Tormes-Vaquerano’s minilab, “Light Manipulation and the Brain: Computational Optics,” introduced students to fundamental optical principles and the fascinating world of holograms. Students learned how these principles could be applied to manipulate light in the study of how neurons communicate deep in the brain. Bullins’ minilab, “Unraveling the Secrets of Neuroanatomy,” involved the dissection of sheep brains, allowing students to identify the structure and function of neural systems and how they relate to the students’ everyday lives. During the dissection, they also discussed the significance of neuroplasticity and how human brains are continuously changing throughout life.

These minilabs provided students with a glimpse of various STEM fields and the career paths available to them. “The idea was to make the research hands-on,” said Tormes-Vaquerano. “Students had to problem-solve collaboratively, and seeing their excitement and curiosity was incredibly rewarding.”

For the high school students who participated in WinSPIRE, the program was transformative. Brown highlighted the dramatic shift in confidence that she witnessed. “They start out nervous, afraid to ask questions or make mistakes,” she said. “But by the end of the six weeks, they were confidently presenting their research to other scientists. That switch in confidence is what’s most rewarding to see.”

The program culminated in a closing symposium, where students presented their research in an academic poster session and were encouraged in their career development by keynote speaker Nicole Hargrove, a graduate assistant for GenAI services for UNC-Chapel Hill university libraries. Her presentation, “Leaving Your Mark: The Enduring Journey,” focused on themes that have consistently inspired her—empowerment through education and being authentic in your interactions with others, among them.

Many students who complete WinSPIRE return to UNC-Chapel Hill as undergraduates, some even joining the program to help guide future participants. This cycle of mentorship and empowerment ensures that the program’s influence will continue to grow.

“By fostering an environment of inclusion and support,” said Rhoads, “WinSPIRE is helping to ensure that the future of STEM is as diverse and dynamic as the world it seeks to understand.”