Seven talented high school seniors spent six weeks of their summer break immersed in neuroscience research projects alongside our neuroscientists. On Friday, July 25, they shared what science means to them and presented posters summarizing their research findings with family, friends, and the MPFI community.
The students’ projects focused on challenging neuroscience endeavors, including advanced neuroimaging and brain behavior. This summer, the interns explored a wide range of neuroscience topics, including neural circuit function, brain development, synaptic transmission, computational modeling, and advanced imaging techniques.
This year’s MPFI interns were:
- Alexa Karatzas, Palm Beach Central High School
- Ariana Perez Arias, Martin County High School
- Jason Pitchford, Suncoast Community High School
- Joy Chen, Dreyfoos School of the Arts
- Nicole Walsh, The Benjamin School
- Olivia Berman, Wellington High School
- Rishan Thangaraj, American Heritage High School, Boca/Delray Campus
The 2025 intern class was selected from a record 167 applicants from schools across Palm Beach and Martin Counties. The students demonstrated an exceptional passion for science and record of scholastic and extracurricular achievement.
“This program gives already outstanding students the opportunity to reach a new level of experience and prepares them to pursue careers in STEM with more focus and clarity. We are so proud of the work our interns did and are grateful to the mentors and supporters who made everything possible,” said Katie Walsh Edwards, AVP of Public Engagement at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience.
The highly sought-after internship program at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience aims to foster a passion for science in the next generation of researchers. Interns are provided valuable guidance and exposure to the institute’s state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, working in the labs and scientific core facilities. The six-week, donor-funded initiative has benefited 95 students since 2011, many of whom have continued in research or medical fields. In addition, each intern makes significant contributions to ongoing research questions, advancing tools or knowledge that move our understanding of the brain forward.
For media inquiries, contact Lesley Colgan at lesley.colgan@mpfi.org.
ABOUT MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE FOR NEUROSCIENCE
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI), a not-for-profit research organization, is part of the world-renowned Max Planck Society, Germany’s most successful research organization with over 80 institutes worldwide. Since its establishment, 30 Nobel laureates have emerged from the ranks of its scientists. As its first U.S. institution, MPFI provides exceptional neuroscientists from around the world with the resources and technology to answer fundamental questions about brain development and function. MPFI researchers employ a curiosity-driven approach to science to develop innovative technologies that make groundbreaking scientific discoveries possible. For more information, visit https://www.mpfi.org/.
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