Dr. Carolyn Ernst is a planetary scientist who studies the surfaces of planets, moons, and asteroids using spacecraft data, lab experiments, and 3D modeling techniques. In her workshop, she'll share what it's like to work in planetary science, her journey through space missions like DART, Europa Clipper, and Hayabusa2, and the many career paths available in the field—perfect for students interested in astronomy, space exploration, and how we study distant worlds.

Dr. Claire Hur is an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, where she studies how tiny fluids move and interact with cells. Her research focuses on building microfluidic devices—small systems that control fluids at the microscale—to better understand cell behavior and develop new tools for medicine. In her workshop, she'll explore how cancer is a collection of many different cell types, why single-cell analysis matters, and how liquid biopsies and microfluidics are advancing cancer research and personalized medicine—perfect for students interested in the intersection of engineering and biology.

Dr. Michelle A. Starz-Gaiano is a professor and Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at UMBC, where she researches the molecular mechanisms of animal development—especially the control of cell motility. Over 18 years, her lab has used fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to identify new, conserved regulators of cell migration, using interdisciplinary approaches that bridge biology and mathematics. In her workshop, she'll explore the genetic control of how cells navigate through their environment.

Dr. Albert Lau is a professor of biophysics at Johns Hopkins University, where he specializes in computational studies of biological macromolecules, with a particular focus on those found in the brain. He also directs the PhD and Master's programs in biophysics at JHU. In his workshop, he'll introduce the field of biophysics and discuss the kinds of research that biophysicists do—perfect for students curious about how physics and computation come together to understand life at the molecular level.

Dr. Neiyer Correal is an Electrical Engineer at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. In his workshop, he'll share his career journey and how math and science have shaped his life's trajectory—exploring how mathematical patterns unlock solutions across countless domains, and how science teaches us to stay curious and learn through experience. Expect real-world examples of math and science working together.

Dr. Leonid Koralov is a professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Maryland, College Park, where his research spans probability and stochastic processes—including diffusion processes, branching processes, and metastability. He also serves as Director of Graduate Studies in the Mathematics Department. In his workshop, he'll tackle the classic Gambler's Ruin problem: using only high-school mathematics, he'll explore the chances a gambler reaches their goal before going broke, how long the game lasts on average, and the probability it stretches beyond a given number of rounds.

Dr. Candice M. Duncan is an Assistant Professor in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her interdisciplinary research draws on environmental science and chemistry to detect, characterize, and remove contaminants from the environment. Her work has also contributed to understanding the lifestyles of early enslaved African and African American people through chemical soil and water analysis. In her workshop, she'll discuss her road to assistant professorship, her environmental and geoscience research programs, and how she integrates teaching and scholarship.

Dr. Jim Barrow is a Professor of Pharmacology at Johns Hopkins University and the Chief Drug Development Officer at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development. With 14 years of drug discovery experience at Merck Research Laboratories, over 70 peer-reviewed publications, and 36 patents, he leads research on treatments for psychiatric disorders. In his workshop, he'll give an overview of drug discovery and development—highlighting how chemistry and biology come together—using a calcium channel target as a case study from initial idea to human clinical trial.

Dr. William Gasarch is a professor in the Computer Science Department at the University of Maryland, with an affiliate appointment in Mathematics. In his workshop, he'll explore the fascinating intersection of math and computer science.

Dr. Stephen Grill is a Movement Disorders neurologist specializing in Parkinson's disease, tremor, and dystonia. He treats patients using medications, deep brain stimulation, and botulinum toxin injections. In his workshop, he'll discuss how deep brain stimulation helps people with Parkinson's disease and how it has enabled researchers to better understand the underlying pathophysiology of the disease.