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At BioCurious, we are proud to support the next generation of scientists pushing the boundaries of independent research. This series highlights driven high school students who utilize our community lab resources and mentorship to take their passion projects beyond the traditional classroom setting—tackling real-world challenges in biology, medicine, and biotechnology.

Bryce Mikolajczak - Senior at Lynbrook High School in San Jose, California

Over the summer, Bryce studied persisters cells, bacterial cells responsible for chronic infections because of their ability to stay dormant during antibiotic treatments. Specifically, Bryce was investigating if—and how—different carbon metabolites could help the antibiotic Gentamicin kill E. Coli persister cells. The hope is to add to the the growing body of knowledge about persister cells and to ultimately reduce the impact of chronic infections. Working independently at BioCurious, Bryce was grateful for the access to resources beyond high school classroom lab (where the project was started last year), and he really appreciated the feedback and support of researchers there!

For 2026, the student team is tackling an exciting food-safety challenge: engineering an E. coli-based biosensor to detect cadaverine and putrescine—the key bacterial byproducts that cause meat spoilage. Their biosensor will produce a visible chromoprotein signal as these compounds increase. Alongside their wet lab experiments, the team is building a mathematical model to predict real-time expiration dates, helping consumers, producers, and sellers cut down on food waste. We are delighted to host these talented young researchers again and can’t wait to see their project progress! Welcome back, KhanLab!

We were delighted to host another fantastic Open House and Lab Tour, followed by an eye-opening presentation in our Bench to Breakthrough series!

Featured Speakers

• Maithreyan Srinivasan (Srini) (Research leader at Agilent and Bio-Techne, James Watson Genome 2007) — a pioneering biochemist and genomics pioneer whose career spans major milestones in modern genomics, from large-scale DNA sequencing to helping sequence James Watson’s genome—delivered a fascinating talk on how Spatial Biology is changing the future of medicine. Srini explored how an international consortium is building a “Google Maps for the body,” creating 3D cellular atlases that pinpoint where specific cell types, genes, and proteins exist within intact tissue architecture. From identifying drug targets to pioneering multi-molecule imaging and RNAi therapies, his insights demonstrated how turning bold spatial biology ideas into practical tools is opening groundbreaking paths for disease treatment and diagnostic medicine.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Open House and Lab Tour! The highlight of the evening was the launch of BioCurious Speaker Series #1: Bench to Breakthrough, featuring insightful presentations and Q&A sessions with two world-class scientists in Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).

Our guests explored decades of pioneering research—ranging from imaging individual molecules to unlocking the secrets of biomineralization.

Featured Speakers

• Dr. Jane Frommer (Pioneer in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology | Caltech Ph.D., Former IBM Research, 2020 Perkin Medal Recipient) A trailblazer in scanning probe microscopy, Dr. Frommer demonstrated single-molecule imaging with STM at IBM Research and expanded AFM capabilities to distinguish molecular species within monolayers at the University of Basel. Holding over 50 patents and 100+ publications, her career spans lithography, 3D nanoprinting, and biological nanostructures.

• Dr. Jinhui Tao (Founder & Director, Tao Institute LLC | Zhejiang University Ph.D., Former PNNL Senior Scientist) With 17+ years of AFM expertise in biomineralization and energy materials, Dr. Tao shared groundbreaking insights into how proteins like amelogenin guide tooth enamel formation—revealing non-classical nucleation pathways and the “Goldilocks Effect” in mineral growth. With over 100 peer-reviewed papers (including Science and Nature Communications), his work bridges biology, in-situ AFM, and advanced materials.