Arlington High School students Nadia Arang and Jessie Rard have been selected to take part in two highly competitive biomedical research fellowships this summer.

Nadia, a junior at AHS, has been accepted by BioQuest Academy, offered through Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, for an intensive two-week summer program. During the two weeks, students will have the opportunity to practice lab skills and study the transmission of infectious diseases. In addition, Nadia will receive guidance for college choice and programs that lead to biomedical careers.

Nadia is currently taking AP chemistry and fourth-year French among her other high school classes. Her career goal is to work in the healthcare field with a focus on those with inadequate medical care.

AHS freshman Jessie Rard has been selected as one of ten Student Research Fellows for a two-week summer fellowship with Northwest Association of Biomedical Research. During the program, students will have the opportunity to visit a variety of research institutions throughout the Seattle area. Jessie's partnership with the research group will continue in her sophomore year with two meetings, and then in the spring of 2010, she will present an original biomedical research project at the Student Biotech Expo in Seattle. According to its Web site (www.nwabr.org/studentbiotech), the Expo "promotes science literacy and allows students to showcase work that reflects different aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine."

Jessie is currently taking advanced English, theatre arts, guitar, and is involved with the ROTC group. She is already thinking about her education after high school, concentrating in biotech with the goal of working in a laboratory focused on biosafety.

Both students received full tuition for the workshops and $400 to cover additional expenses. Arlington biology teacher Michelle Wolski nominated the girls for the fellowships calling them "accomplished science students."


Photo: Nadia Arang, teacher Michele Wolski, and Jessie Rard