Archmere Science Department Introduces New Advanced Cancer Research Course This Year
Archmere Academy introduced a new course this year, Advanced Cancer Research and Analysis, designed for students who are interested in pursuing careers in the medical field. This course includes a genetics class, a data analysis class, and an internship opportunity with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and their Center for Data Driven Discovery in Biomedicine (D3b), spearheaded by 1986 Archmere graduate Dr. Jay Storm. Dr. Storm is the Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery and Co-Director of the Neuroscience Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Matthew Wilcox and Ms. Leah Davidson-Wolf worked with Dr. Storm to design the class for Archmere. During this course, students will learn about the purpose of the D3b program and how to analyze data collected from patients through keynote speakers from and on-sight learning at CHOP. Founded in 2016, the Center for Data Driven Discovery in Biomedicine (D³b) provides personalized care for children through collaborative, data-driven science.
The course is designed for students who are interested in the medical field and is split into three parts: a genetics class, a data analysis class and an internship with CHOP. This semester, students will be taking the genetics portion of the course. They’ll learn about the purpose of the D3B program by studying cancer, its causes and treatments. Students just finished learning about bacteria transformation. “The class has definitely confirmed that I want to go into the medical field,” Archmere senior Lydia Scarpaci said. “Everyday I go into that class, I’m so interested and engaged, and can honestly not take my eyes off of the board. It’s so fascinating to me.”
Over the summer, students will also have the opportunity to intern with the D3b program, including shadowing in the hospital setting and research labs, and working on a specific data analysis project. This internship is available exclusively to students enrolled in the course.
Several publications have featured the new course, including Delaware Today and Town Square Delaware.
Delaware Today Magazine featured article on the new Advanced Cancer Research class
Town Square Delaware featured article on the course with student and faculty interviews
Back
The course is designed for students who are interested in the medical field and is split into three parts: a genetics class, a data analysis class and an internship with CHOP. This semester, students will be taking the genetics portion of the course. They’ll learn about the purpose of the D3B program by studying cancer, its causes and treatments. Students just finished learning about bacteria transformation. “The class has definitely confirmed that I want to go into the medical field,” Archmere senior Lydia Scarpaci said. “Everyday I go into that class, I’m so interested and engaged, and can honestly not take my eyes off of the board. It’s so fascinating to me.”
According to Ms. Leah Davidson-Wolf, her labs focus only on cancer. “Instead of using more general examples, I’ve been using examples that are more specific to cancer and how genes are expressed and the changes in expression that happen when cancer occurs,” Davidson-Wolf said. "We’ll be starting a lab soon learning about CRISPR techniques, which is essentially gene editing,” she said. “Our kids will learn about how scientists are able to use gene editing techniques, and then they’ll apply it with bacteria.”
Over the summer, students will also have the opportunity to intern with the D3b program, including shadowing in the hospital setting and research labs, and working on a specific data analysis project. This internship is available exclusively to students enrolled in the course.
Several publications have featured the new course, including Delaware Today and Town Square Delaware.
Delaware Today Magazine featured article on the new Advanced Cancer Research class
Town Square Delaware featured article on the course with student and faculty interviews
Archmere Academy is a private, Catholic, college preparatory co-educational academy,
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
© Archmere Academy. All Rights Reserved