Biocomp Club

Overview

Founded Biocomp, a dual-club program consisting of the Research Club and Computational Biology Club to make advanced scientific inquiry and coding-based analysis accessible to high school students. The initiative was designed to bridge the gap between experimental biology and computational methods, equipping students with the tools to explore complex questions in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and biomedical engineering

Integrating Research and Computational Biology for High School Innovation

Program Focus

Biocomp operates through two interconnected tracks:

1. Research Club

Trains students in literature review, experimental design, and scientific writing. Members conduct guided projects and present findings in the school’s first Research Symposium, where top papers receive recognition.

2. Computational Biology Club

Introduces students to data-driven biology through coding workshops, protein modeling, and sequence analysis. Members apply Python and bioinformatics tools to solve biological problems and simulate experiments.

Together, these programs cultivate both analytical rigor and creative inquiry, preparing students to think like scientists while communicating like innovators.

Outcomes & Impact

Biocomp transformed the research culture at my school by giving students direct pathways from classroom knowledge to publication and competition. It demonstrated that high schoolers can perform meaningful, publishable science when given mentorship and structure. Within 1 year, we became the 2nd largest club in our school!

Reflection

Building Biocomp showed me that leadership in science is about creating opportunity, not hierarchy. Watching students who once doubted their ability to “do research” present their own work was one of the most rewarding parts of my high school career. It reinforced my belief that science education should not only teach discovery but also democratize it.