A decade ago, Hackley’s brightest STEM students, despite their talents, found themselves sidelined. Although they were some of the most talented students in the fields of mathematics and science in the country, they weren’t being accepted into all the same research programs as other students outside the school. 

The reason? Other schools boasted more advanced research programs, leaving Hackley students without the same resources. 

Upper School Science Teacher Dr. Andrew Ying was eager to support students with a passion for science. With the help of the Hackley administration, he set out to create opportunities for these talented students.

The program he created has continued to grow over the years, expanding its scope and the number of students who can join it.

We are looking for students who “have a strong academic record and are passionate about science,” Doctor Ying said. 

But this isn’t the only requirement. Starting the IRP program is like being thrown straight into the deep end; you have to have the resilience to deal with “intense journal articles, face rejection, and understand the unpredictability of the research process,” and this all starts in the sophomore year. Yet, if you stick with it, you are offered transformative opportunities in the field of science.

One student who has taken advantage of this program is senior Vivek Malik. Fueled by curiosity and determination, he dove headfirst into the program, working on a project that interested him. With Dr. Ying’s mentorship, he and the other sophomores built cover letters and resumes and looked for potential mentors. This led to him securing a position at the prestigious Regeneron program.

“I was very lucky to get in. It was a great experience getting to work with scientists. Not everyone gets in, but everyone finds their own way. They just have to be resilient and continue reaching out,” Vivek said. 

Vivek’s project focuses on the immune system. He is looking at white blood cells, specifically macrophages. Macrophages are really important as they engulf harmful invaders to the body like bacteria, and this process can help prevent illness. Vivek’s goal was to investigate and see if it was possible to influence their behavior.

Vivek has observed the Plexin D1 protein, which plays a role in regulating the macrophage’s activity. By blocking this protein, Vivek actually found that macrophages became more active—moving more, consuming more harmful invaders, and responding more aggressively to inflammation. “This ‘supercharging’ effect could revolutionize treatments for diseases like cancer and arthritis if replicated.

On top of his already impressive scientific skills, his time management abilities stand out even more. Vivek is the epitome of a well-rounded Hackley Student. He expertly balances rigorous research with EMT work, varsity swimming, and language study. This may sound impossible, but what he said is that the great communities in all of his extracurriculars make him willing to live with his busy schedule. His motto is “You always have enough time to do what you want to do”. 

These experiences and hard work have paved the way for his success in numerous science competitions. He has achieved “1st Place and Grand Award Winner at WESEF 2024 and 1st Place Grand Award Winner at NYSSEF 2024”.

However, science fairs are never the main goal or the definition of success. As Dr. Ying said, “It is a success if students are able to work with a mentor,” and “test some idea and have a result.”

To Vivek, they are just a stepping stone. They are a “high school thing.” “The real world is conferences, you are contributing to knowledge, everyone is working together, competition is unnecessary–Just because someone doesn’t win an award doesn’t mean their research isn’t good,” Vivek said.

Vivek’s ultimate goal is “testing his research in disease-specific settings.” The end goal of biomedical research is “creating a drug that changes people’s lives,” Vivek said. 

His journey highlights what is possible when a determined student is given the tools and mentorship to explore science at a high level. The IRP program is more about awards; it’s about helping students discover their potential and connecting them to the scientific community. 

“I am very grateful for the support from my friends, family, and Dr. Ying,” Vivek said.