High School Students

Students in the Molecular Systematics Laboratory




Michelle Bayefsky-Anand
Michelle Bayefsky-Anand is a student at Ramaz Upper High School, and under the supervision of Lauren Esposito and Lorenzo Prendini has worked in the Molecular Systematics Laboratory learning to extract, amplify, and sequence scorpion DNA since the Spring of 2008.




NSF High School Research Program in Genetics (2006)

Jianhua Lin and Qiao Rong Huang attended the NSF High School Research Program in Genetics at the AMNH for two academic years (2005-2007). Both students learned to conduct measurements and record setal counts under the supervision of Jeremy Huff and Lorenzo Prendini (summer 2006). From fall 2006 they worked in the Molecular Systematics Laboratory extracting, amplifying, and sequencing scorpion DNA.


2006 High School students


High School Science Research Program in Biodiversity (2004/2005)

Connie Cai and Melanie Ng attended the AMNH High School Science Research Program in Biodiversity at the AMNH for 10 months (September 2004–June 2005). Both students learned to sort, identify and database specimens, prepare labels, conduct measurements, record setal counts, and prepare photographs with visible and UV light, under the supervision of Lorenzo Prendini and Randy Mercurio. Ng also worked in the Molecular Systematics Laboratory, under the supervision of Rebecca Budinoff and Tripp MacDonald, where she learned to isolate, amplify, sequence, and edit DNA.

Melanie Ng
(AMNH High School Science Research Program in Biodiversity, 2004–2005)





Melanie Ng
Connie Cai
(AMNH High School Science Research Program in Biodiversity, 2004–2005)





Connie Cai


After-School Centers in Exploration and New Discovery (ASCEND) Program (2003/2004)

Bernard Laszczower and Boitumelo (Tumi) McCallum attended the NSF After-School Centers in Exploration and New Discovery (ASCEND) program at the AMNH for 8 months (October 2003–May 2004). Both students worked in the Molecular Systematics Laboratory, under the supervision of Lorenzo Prendini and Laboratory Assistants Diana Pietri and Tarang Sharma, where they learned to isolate, amplify, sequence and edit DNA.

Boitumelo McCallum Boitumelo McCallum
(NSF After-School Centers in Exploration and New Discovery Program, 2003–2004)





Bernard Laszczower Bernard Laszczower
(NSF After-School Centers in Exploration and New Discovery Program, 2003–2004)