Hands-on education for high school students in biomedical research
Official title: Hands-on Education and Research for Biomedical and Analytical Learning (HERBAL)
Funded at University of Rhode Island · NIH-10880666 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about making science more exciting for high school students by giving them the chance to work on real research projects in medicine, with help from college students, so they can explore and learn about the world of plants and chemistry in a fun way.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kingston, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $263,002 |
| NIH project number | 5R25AT012655-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880666 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are high school students in grades 9-12 who are interested in science and technology.
✕Less likely to help
Students who are not enrolled in high school or those who do not have an interest in STEM fields may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research initiative focuses on enhancing STEM education for high school students by providing hands-on experiences in biomedical and analytical learning. It aims to engage students in authentic scientific research, particularly in medicinal chemistry, by allowing them to create a plant extract library from specimens. The program will involve upper-division undergraduate students as mentors, fostering a collaborative learning environment that encourages curiosity and innovation. By bridging high school education with real-world scientific practices, this initiative seeks to inspire the next generation of researchers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve STEM literacy and inspire high school students to pursue careers in biomedical sciences.
How similar studies have gone: Similar educational initiatives have shown success in enhancing student engagement and interest in STEM fields, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rowley, David C — University of Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Rowley, David C
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.