Program Registration

Register today for eCLOSE 2024 Summer Programs.  Additional program details will be forthcoming soon.

Awards

Award Winner - Community Innovation Collaboration
Award Winner - Milken-Penn GSC Education Business Plan Competition
Bronze Award Winner - Reimagine Education Presence Learning
Winner - Greater Philadelphia Innovation Awards
Catapult Award
Award PA Backpack Challenge
Genetics Society of America Award
Award Social Innovations Journal
Vicktor Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize
Award Health Equity Innovation Challenge
Award Philathropitch

Cutting Edge Research

How Diet Impacts Cancer

We develop cutting edge research projects in order to understand how diet impacts cancer. With more than 1 million nutrients and 300 cancer genes there are 300 MILLION single combinations that we can use to develop personalized diets that will improve treatment for cancer patients.

This daunting problem requires an army of researchers bringing life skills, creativity, commitment and cultural experiences together, with the shared goal of quickly and efficiently addressing the diet and cancer problem.

My Healthy Plate

Validation Studies

Waddell, EA, Ruiz-Whalen, DM, O’Reilly, AM, Fried, NT. Flying the Face of Adversity: a Drosophila-based virtual CURE (Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience) provides a semester-long research opportunity to the flipped classroom. J. Microbiol Biol Educ. 2021. Nov 30; 22(3):e00173-21. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34880963/

Dara M. Ruiz-Whalen, Christopher P. Aichele, Ebony R. Dyson, Katherine C. Gallen, Jennifer V. Stark, Jasmine A. Saunders, Jacqueline C. Simonet, Erin M. Ventresca, Isabela M. Fuentes, Nyellis Marmol, Emly Moise, Benjamin C. Neubert, Devon J. Riggs, Ava M. Self, Jennifer I. Alexander, Ernest Boamah, Amanda J. Browne, Iliana Correa, Maya J. Foster, Nicole Harrington, Troy J. Holiday, Ryan A. Henry, Eric H. Lee, Sheila M. Longo, Laurel D. Lorenz, Esteban Martinez, Anna Nikonova, Maria Radu, Shannon C. Smith, Lindsay A. Steele, Todd I. Strochlic, Nicholas F. Archer, Y. James Aykit, Adam J. Bolotsky, Megan Boyle, Jennifer Criollo, Oren Eldor, Gabriela Cruz, Valerie N. Fortuona, Shreeya D. Gounder, Nyim Greenwood, Kayla W. Ji, Aminah Johnson, Sophie Lara, Brianna Montanez, Maxwell Saurman, Tanu Singh, Daniel R. Smith, Catherine A. Stapf, Tarang Tondapu, Christina Tsiobikas, Raymond Habas, Alana M. O’Reilly. Gaining wings to FLY: Using Drosophila oogenesis as an entry point for citizen scientists in laboratory research. Springer Drosophila Oogenesis, editor, Tina Tootle. 2023. https://link.springer.com/protocol/10.1007/978-1-0716-2970-3_22

Hanley, CD, Ho, J, Prichard, C, Vanderford, NL. The Use of Virtual Research Experiences for Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) Program High School Participants During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J. STEM Outreach. 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36445810/

A Centralized Hub for Collaboration

eCLOSE Institute is a hub where scientists, teachers, and students join forces to address this urgent problem. We support teachers with innovative programming, materials, and professional development, empowering them to function as scientific lead investigators in their classrooms. We provide students training in professional laboratory research and the problem solving, collaboration, communication, and networking skills required for career success.

Testimonials

Double Quote

  • It was great, it allowed me to get my foot through the door as far as understanding and analyzing the world around me.

    B.B. (eCLOSE Camp@Home Intro to the Lab and eCLOSE Undergraduate Bridge Train@Home)

  • eCLOSE allowed my child to gain a bit of insight on what scientific research looks like. Allowing them to keep the materials also encourages them not to limit themselves to just this program, but to branch off and explore what other things they can experiment with.

    Francisca Cerecero (Parent SHE research@home Program)

  • I love the eCLOSE approach to engaging young people in research experiences. It provides a great opportunity, and really empowers participants, encourages them to feel like part of a team, part of a discipline, and gives them the skills to contribute their own piece to the body of knowledge. I support the emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion.

    Becky Talyn (Parent eCLOSE Introduction to Lab Research Camp)

  • I think that it is a great opportunity for students to learn/ continue developing their research skills. It is also a very accessible program since it was financially friendly and allowed students to practice in the comfort of their homes.

    Charlise Hendrix (Parent SHE research@home Program)

  • eCLOSE has developed into a highly impactful citizen science and teaching platform. During COVID, eCLOSE pivoted to a virtual platform and was able to expand their reach and in doing so, the eCLOSE team brought science to the homes and classrooms of thousands of young scientists. When many teachers and learning platforms struggled during the pandemic, eCLOSE flourished to the benefit of many students across the country. The reach of eCLOSE over the last few years has been extremely impressive

    Nathan Vanderford, PhD (University of Kentucky, ACTION Program)

  • I truly enjoyed the eCLOSE program. Sometimes, as a student, I become overwhelmed with learning facts about science that I miss another beautiful part of science: exploration. I think that eCLOSE was a great opportunity for me to learn about science, interact with mentors and peers, and explore the areas of science I enjoy at the same time!

    Floyd Evans, Jr. (eCLOSE Undergraduate Train@Home)

Right Quote

Our Name

eCLOSE has two important meanings.

It represents our primary goal:

To Empower the Citizen Lens on Science through Education

It is the precise moment an insect emerges as an adult, spreading its wings to explore the world and make a contribution.

Eclose

Citizen Science

eCLOSE is built on the concept of citizen science, a progressive approach where previously untrained participants contribute directly to professional scientific research projects. Four iterative eCLOSE program levels provide comprehensive research training to high school students and teachers, actively including participants in professional cancer research projects.

Citizen Science

Science Education

eCLOSE learning modules align with State Core Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards. eCLOSE experimental kits replace standard classroom laboratories shifting the focus from getting the “right” answer, to encouraging students to explore their own ideas and data through open inquiry.

Students in Lab Coats