Governor’s School Students Conducting Research in ME

This summer, NDSU welcomed 50 high-achieving high school students from across the state to its campus for the 2026 North Dakota Governor’s School. The four-week program focuses on research, collaboration, leadership, and college-level coursework, with a particular emphasis on hands-on learning through lab research projects.

Three of the students, Ashlyn Hins, Sophia Moen, and Teagan Wentz, joined Dr. Jiang’s group to learn how to make injectable hydrogels using soy protein, cellulose nanofibers, and other polymers. Guided by postdoctoral researcher Dr. Raj Hazra and graduate students Austin Knight and Carlos Ramirez, they also investigated the injectability of hydrogels prepared under different conditions. Through the project, they gained foundational knowledge of polymer materials and polymer chemistry, developed skills in using many lab tools for sample fabrication and testing, practiced preparing research poster presentations and communicating their research to peers, graduate students, and faculty members, and above all, had their first taste of real research development and scientific discovery.

Another two students, Charles Dobrzelecki and Leonardo Yan, worked with Dr. Yan Zhang’s research group to conduct hands-on laboratory experiments in cardiovascular flows and advanced flow diagnostics. Over the course of the month-long project, they learned to measure fluid flow using ultrasonic flow meters and pressure transducers, and to prepare blood-surrogate fluids while characterizing their viscosity, density, and refractive index. They tested a novel tissue-based transcatheter aortic valve model in a heart pulse generator and studied the flow through the valve using laser-based Particle Image Velocimetry and Ultrasound Doppler Velocimetry. With guidance from their graduate student mentors, Nafis Saad Resan, Colten Alme, and Santu Golder, the students shared their results and experiences in a final poster session, showcasing their enthusiastic engagement in STEM research at the intersection of fluid dynamics and biomedical engineering.

All the students viewed the summer program as a transformative introduction to university-level research. The combination of hands-on experimentation, supportive mentorship, teamwork, and exposure to meaningful biomedical applications increased their scientific confidence and strengthened their interest in pursuing STEM-related education and careers. As Ashlyn put it, "Without Governor’s School, I wouldn’t have been able to create so many wonderful connections not only with my fellow scholars but also with the amazing professors, postdocs, and graduate students. This experience has driven my curiosity and passion for learning. Thank you for giving students the opportunity to step into a real lab space and also to be given the trust that most high school students have never experienced. I will forever be grateful for the time I got to spend this summer at NDSU.”