Some students spent their summers working. Others spent it catching up with family and friends.

Others, like Harlee Kelley, spent the summer doing research.

About Harlee’s summer

The Stowers Summer Scholars program allows undergraduate students to work in top notch research labs exploring various facets of biology.

Harlee was at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research from June 4-July 27 in Kansas City, Missouri.

After a long application process that included several essays about her research, she was offered an interview by a principle investigator Dr. Matthew Gibson, assistant professor of biology.

He determined she would be a good fit for his lab. In Gibson’s lab, she was able to work on her own research.

Harlee focused on developmental biology. She wanted to see how B-catenin affected the starlet sea anemone’s developmental process.

“Stowers gave me the opportunity to pour myself fully into research and really proved to me that I really do love science,” Harlee said. “This program has given me so much confidence.”

Harlee made time for more than just research. With students from France, the Caribbean, Ukraine and other countries, Harlee got to meet people that eventually turned into life-long friends.

Dr. Paul Durham, distinguished professor of biology, is Harlee’s adviser.