A "cat·a·lyst" is an agent that accelerates a significant change. In chemistry, a catalyst enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a faster rate.

The Catalyst Research Program is a unique research experience that accelerates the transformation of high school students who are interested in STEM and medicine. Unlock your intellectual potential by conducting your own original laboratory research project with Caltech- and UCLA-trained scientists. It delivers like no other summer research program.

Motivated students learn directly from Dr. Liz Krider (PhD, Caltech) and Mr. Manji Gunawardana (MPH, UCLA) -- two highly experienced researchers who have a combined 30 years of mentoring student research projects in the biological and environmental sciences.

Discover New Knowledge

Stand Out for Your Passion

Inspire Through Speaking

DESIGN your own studies in environmental science, microbiology, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, and medicine. FIND answers using advanced lab methods and equipment. ANALYZE your results using data science and Python notebooks.

The Catalyst Research Program is for Students interested who want to:

• MAKE A DIFFERENCE in their communities through scientific discovery.

• SHOW EVIDENCE of their scientific interests.

• STAND OUT TO COLLEGES for their personal character.

• MAXIMIZE their summer opportunities.

CRAFT a TED-style talk to inspire others to embark on their own discovery projects. Present at the Impact Symposium, an in-person speaking event for high school students in greater Los Angeles and Orange County.

PRESENT your results as a high school student at the in-person Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR) held in late-November in the Los Angeles area.