Congratulations Miah Margiano for being named a 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalist!!
Congratulations Shriya Bhat, Miah Margiano, and Sameer Kini for being named 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars!
Our team is overjoyed to see what our student researchers achieve time and time again.

Congratulations to Shivani Manikandan (iRI 2021 participant) for her publication in BioChem! We are constantly amazed by the accomplishments of our student researchers.

Congratulations Emma Wang (iRI 2020 participant) for being named a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar! iResearch Institute is constantly amazed by the achievements of our student researchers (see Emma's project abstract under 2020 highlights).

Congratulations to Satvik Dasariraju (iRI 2020 participant) for his publication in Bioengineering! His accomplishments have shown that even in 10th grade, student researchers can discover great things.

Founded and led by Dr. Serena McCalla, the "godmother" of science research, iResearch Institute (iRI) is the original summer program for highly-motivated high school and early college students to conduct original, student-driven, science research projects.

We are a community of scientists sharing our passions for science with the next generation of scientists. We are the preeminent science research training group with an unparalleled track record of success.
‍

Our proven methodology for success at iRI:

Fundamental research techniques training
Students will be taught key scientific skills by Dr. Serena McCalla, who has mentored more than 1000 students over 12 years to success at the world's most prestigious science competitions (e.g. STS, ISEF) and whose alumni attend top universities (e.g. Harvard, Stanford, MIT)

Novel, student-driven research projects

iRI will support students desire to complete a robust research investigation in their scientific field of interest via assistance formulating project ideas, review of scientific literature, and use of BIG data

Data-driven research project guidance

Students will learn necessary research methods via coursework to present research in both written and verbal settings. Data science and coding skills to tackle large-scale data sets found in modern science research will be employed to address research questions and complete research projects with mentors.

Hands-on mentors

We match student science interests with the interests of our 30+ mentors. Highly-accomplished mentors at top universities and previous Regeneron ISEF judges will leverage their exceptional records of success in high school science competitions to help students through the intricacies of a successful science research project from start to finish.

If looking for our year long (10 month) research program, please use the iResearch Academy link.

Our Team

Serena McCalla, Ph.D.

Founder of iResearch Institute, iResearch Academy, and iResearch Foundation
President of the New York State Science & Engineering Fair (NYSSEF)
Sole Educator in National Geographic’s Emmy-Winning Documentary "Science Fair"

Serena McCalla, Ph.D., has been called the nation's "Godmother of science research.” Over the last 14 years, she has single-handedly transformed Jericho's High School science research program to one of the top programs in the nation.

Dr. McCalla's students annually win the nation’s most prestigious competitions such as Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS; over 78 semifinalists and 15 finalists in the last 14 years) and Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF; sending on average 5+ student annually). She will lead, train, and support all students who participate in the iResearch Institute.

Learn more about Dr. McCalla

iRI Mentors

The best students deserve the best mentors. All iRI mentors are students at top universities who competed and won at the nation's top science competitions not too long ago, making them the perfect fit to guide iRI students on their journey to scientific research success. Hand-selected by Dr. McCalla, a few of our highly-motivated and talented mentors are included below:

Kevin Huang

Harvard University '18

USAMO Ranked Top 24 Nationally
Invited to MOP
Siemens Competition Semifinalist
ISEF 3rd Place in Physics & Astronomy
ISEF 4th Place in Computer Science

Anjali Chadha

MIT '23

Regeneron STS Finalist
2x ISEF Finalist
Founder of Empowered Inc.
Principal Subject of Science Fair, a National Geographic film

Leo Lo

Columbia University '22

Regeneron STS Finalist
USA Physics Olympiad Gold Medalist (top 50 nationally)
ISEF 3rd Place in Physics
Co-author of journal article in Applied Physics Letters

Grace Hu

Stanford University '21

U.S. Presidential Scholar
ISEF 1st Place in Materials Science
Regeneron STS Scholar
Siemens Competition Semifinalist

View & learn more about our mentors

iRI Program 2023 Details

Dates:

July 3 (closed July 4th) - July 28, 2023 + 1 additional training week.
Monday - Friday, 12- 8 PM EST (Virtual Format): Includes flexibility for research coursework, project planning, direct mentoring by Dr. McCalla, and mentor meetings (we do NOT encourage non-stop computer work for 10+ hours daily).
2023 Programming changes include one-to-one project mentoring with Dr. McCalla and smaller cohorts.

Application Deadline:

Early Action - applications accepted until Feb. 22nd, 2023, decisions by March 14, 2023.
‍
Regular Admission applicants can apply until April 21, 2023; latest decisions by June 1, 2023. Applicants will observe rolling acceptances.

Complete entire application - for acceptance.

International students are welcome to apply but the live coursework will be taught based off of the PST to EST time zones. *All coursework is recorded and available for review.

Tuition:

$7295 (programming change to include direct project mentoring by Dr. McCalla for 2023) --> 4 weeks (July 3 - 28, 2023) + 1 additional week
+1 week of research paper and presentation review (optional yet encouraged; July 31 - Aug. 4, 2023)
Total program dates - July 3 - Aug. 4, 2023
‍
Please contact us if requesting financial aid for the application fee only! A personalized link for a registration fee waiver to complete the iResearch Institute application will be provided.

Financial Aid:

Partial and/or full scholarships are available.
Submit your financial aid package with the iRI application. Only financial aid applications submitted during the application process will be reviewed.
The iRI program financial aid form is found on the application process page.

Eligibility:

Students must complete eighth grade by June 2023. No exceptions!
‍Early college students are welcome to apply!!

Even though basic programming and data analysis skills will be taught, the program will be rigorous and foundational science skills are required.

Program Hours:

Monday - Friday; additional assignments (i.e. homework) will given and assessed by Dr. McCalla, lab directors, and mentors.

Locations:

The iResearch Institute Program is completely virtual for the summer of 2023.

Team Members:

Serena McCalla, Ph.D.; undergraduate, graduate, post-doc and Ph.D., data science, bioinformatics, deep-learning, and computational science research fellows

Mentors:

Undergraduate, graduate, post- doc, and PhD's from the best universities in the country - Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Washington University at St. Louis, etc.

View full program & application details

Join us online for the premier international Summer Research Institute for high school and early college students