Charting Her Own Path - Lindley's Research Internship

This summer, Lindley S., '27 took her interest in science beyond the classroom and into an exobiology lab at the University of Arkansas. The opportunity started with Lindley cold-emailing five university professors about potential research opportunities. After hearing back from two and touring their labs, she connected with Dr. Kral and ended up working roughly once a week alongside a PhD student while conducting her own research.

The lab studies whether methanogens (single-celled organisms) are capable of surviving in extreme conditions and if they could potentially survive on Mars. Lindley’s experiment focuses on how one species responds to varying concentrations of sodium chloride and magnesium perchlorate.

For Lindley, who hopes to pursue a PhD and a career in scientific research, the experience offered the chance to see what that future might actually look like. She is now writing a paper on her findings and considering submitting her research for publication.

Lindley's experience also gives us a glimpse of what we hope students grow toward as they move through Upper School. In Upper School, we work to create the conditions for students to become principled thinkers, innovative problem solvers, constructive collaborators, and purposeful changemakers—and, increasingly, to take ownership of where their interests lead them. Lindley is doing just that: identifying what matters to her, seeking out an opportunity that didn’t already exist, working alongside professional researchers, and beginning to chart her own path forward. We can't wait to see you continue to chart your own path and pursue your passions, Lindley!