Willowbrook senior takes his passion for science to the lab

This past summer, Willowbrook senior Shayan Siddiqi took his passion for STEM beyond the classroom when he was selected to participate in the 2026 Summer Science Program (SSP) in biochemistry at Chadron State College in Nebraska. See photos of his experience above.

The SSP is a highly selective five-week program that gives high school students the opportunity to experience hands-on, collaborative scientific research. Siddiqi was one of 720 students selected from more than 4,800 applicants from throughout the world.

During the program, Siddiqi worked alongside two student teammates on a biochemistry research project focused on Diaporthe helianthi, a fungal pathogen that can affect crops. Using laboratory techniques and modeling software, the team studied an enzyme from the fungus and worked to design a small-molecule inhibitor that could potentially help protect crops.

For Siddiqi, the experience was both challenging and rewarding.

“It was extremely difficult, especially because I hadn't done chemistry in over a year, but I feel that I truly gained a lot,” Siddiqi said.

Throughout the program, students participated in at least 300 hours of research-related activities for 35 days and nights, working with college professors and using research-grade equipment and software.

Siddiqi's days included long hours in the laboratory, completing experiments and assays, analyzing their work and preparing a final research presentation. In a blog post he wrote for SSP International, Siddiqi shared a glimpse into one of his final days in the lab as his group worked toward completing its research. The experience also taught him an important lesson about the research process: not every experiment works the way you expect it to.

Reflecting on his group's previous attempts, Siddiqi wrote, “Not that they were failures, but they brought us closer to success.”

Making memories along the way

While academics were a major part of the program, Siddiqi said his favorite memories also came from the friendships he made.

He experienced having a roommate for the first time, and they quickly became close. Siddiqi also formed friendships with students throughout the program, spending his free time playing basketball – one of his favorite activities. The biochemistry students even participated in a basketball tournament against students from a separate bacterial genomics program, and Siddiqi's team came away with a 21-14 victory.

Siddiqi also took on a new challenge outside the laboratory by running his first 5K. The experience helped inspire him to join cross-country this school year.

As the five-week program came to an end, Siddiqi reflected on how quickly the experience had gone by.

“It’s so insane how fast five weeks went by,” he wrote in his final SSP blog post. “I appreciate all of the time and friends I made here, and I couldn’t wish for any more.”

A summer of growth

Beyond the research experience, Siddiqi returned home with a greater appreciation for the challenges – and rewards – of pursuing something unfamiliar.

He also credits Willowbrook English teacher Terri Woebel with encouraging him to pursue the opportunity and helping him develop confidence in his writing. After completing the SSP, Siddiqi wrote to her about the impact she has made on his growth as a student.

“I've always seen writing as one of my weaknesses, but because of your teaching, understanding and compassion, I excelled and grew in ways I never knew I could,” he wrote.

His experience in the SSP gave him another opportunity to put that growth into practice. From conducting research and presenting his findings to meeting students and trying new activities, Siddiqi embraced the challenges that came with stepping outside of his comfort zone.

Today, Siddiqi continues to explore his interests in STEM, while pursuing his passion for basketball. He hopes to one day find a way to combine the two, or pursue a career where they intersect.

His time at the SSP was more than an academic achievement – it was an opportunity to challenge himself, discover new interests, build lasting friendships and gain a firsthand look at the world of scientific research.

Read Siddiqi's SSP blog

Want to read about the experience directly from Siddiqi? View his SSP International student blog below, where he shares a behind-the-scenes look at one of his final days in the biochemistry program, including his time in the lab, his research team and the friendships he made along the way.

Read Siddiqi’s SSP international blog