Life Science
Research Program
Presented by Dr. Anwesha Banerjee, Dr. Supraja Prakash, and Dr. Roopa Holehonnur
Why Learn Life Science Research?
Life science research helps us understand living organisms and improve human health, agriculture, and the environment. It plays an important role in fields such as medicine, genetics, neuroscience, biotechnology, and public health.
Students who learn research methods early gain a deeper understanding of how scientific discoveries are made. They learn how to evaluate information, ask meaningful questions, interpret data, and communicate scientific ideas clearly. These skills are valuable not only for future studies in STEM fields but also for college applications, internships, and research opportunities.
Program Overview
The Life Science Research Program at iStart Valley is designed for high school and undergraduate students who want to learn how scientific research is conducted. Guided by experienced scientists and researchers, students explore each stage of the research process, from identifying a research question and reviewing scientific literature to developing a hypothesis, analyzing data, and presenting their findings.
This online program provides an opportunity to build research skills without the need for a traditional laboratory. Students gain practical experience in scientific inquiry while developing analytical, writing, and presentation skills that support future studies in medicine, biotechnology, genetics, neuroscience, and other life science disciplines.
Whether students plan to pursue research, healthcare, or STEM careers, the program provides a strong introduction to scientific research and helps them build confidence for future academic opportunities.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
- ✔ Understand the stages of the scientific research process.
- ✔ Read and evaluate scientific literature.
- ✔ Develop research questions and hypotheses.
- ✔ Learn commonly used life science research techniques.
- ✔ Analyze and interpret biological data.
- ✔ Write scientific abstracts and research summaries.
- ✔ Create and present a scientific research poster.
- ✔ Strengthen analytical thinking and scientific communication skills.
Who Should Enroll?
This program is suitable for:
- ✔ High school students interested in biology, medicine, biotechnology, genetics, or neuroscience.
- ✔ Undergraduate students planning to pursue research or graduate studies.
- ✔ Pre-medical and healthcare students.
- ✔ Students interested in developing research and scientific writing skills.
Life Science Research Curriculum
The curriculum follows the key stages of a research project and combines scientific concepts with practical application.
- • Understanding the research process
- • Scientific thinking and research ethics
- • From research question to publication
- • Reading scientific papers
- • Conducting literature reviews
- • Finding reliable scientific resources
- • Scientific citation methods
Students will be introduced to commonly used research techniques, including:
Topics include:
- • DNA and RNA gel analysis
- • Behavioural data interpretation
- • Physiological data analysis
- • Protein and gene sequence analysis
Students will develop a research proposal in an area of interest, such as:
Students will learn how to prepare:
- • Scientific abstracts
- • Research manuscripts
- • Scientific posters
- • Oral presentations
The program concludes with a conference-style poster presentation where students present their research proposal and receive feedback from faculty mentors.
Program Schedule & Fees
The program is delivered online through live interactive sessions using advanced collaboration tools and virtual learning platforms.
Payable in two installments:
Testimonials from Industry Leaders
Meet the Instructors
Dr. Anwesha Banerjee
Anwesha Banerjee, DTM, currently residing in California, is a neuroscientist, nonprofit executive, and advocate for lifelong learning whose work bridges science, education, and leadership.
She earned her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Dallas and serves as a Medical Science Liaison at Axsome Therapeutics, partnering with healthcare professionals to translate complex scientific research into meaningful clinical insights that improve patient care. During her doctoral studies, Dr. Banerjee received the Women in Bio Behavioral Scholarship and was later selected as a Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation Fellow to conduct independent research. She has authored multiple scientific publications in autism, Fragile X syndrome, and myotonic dystrophy.
As Executive Director of iStart Valley, she leads initiatives that connect education, industry, and innovation to prepare students and professionals for careers in emerging technologies. Under her leadership, iStart Valley expanded workforce development programs and launched virtual STEM initiatives that have reached hundreds of students across North America.
A dedicated Toastmaster since 2013, Dr. Banerjee served on the Toastmasters International Board of Directors from 2022 to 2024, helping shape the organization's strategic direction. Her communication journey also includes delivering a TEDx talk in 2019, reflecting her passion for empowering others to communicate with confidence and purpose.
Dr. Supraja Prakash, MS, CGC
Certified Genetic Counselor
Supraja Prakash, MS, CGC, is a Certified Genetic Counselor with expertise in clinical genetics, rare diseases, cardiovascular genetics, dermatogenetics, and clinical laboratory sciences. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology along with master's degrees in Molecular Biotechnology and Genetic Counseling.
Her experience spans clinical genetics, cancer and medical genetics research, public health program development, and graduate-level education. Prior to her clinical practice, Supraja conducted research in pediatric hematology-oncology, contributing to studies on Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Diamond-Blackfan Anemia.
Passionate about education and mentorship, Supraja is dedicated to making complex life science concepts engaging, accessible, and relevant. At iStart Valley, she inspires aspiring scientists by connecting foundational life science concepts with real-world applications in healthcare, genetics, and biomedical research, helping students build a strong foundation for future STEM careers.
Dr. Roopa Holehonnur
Has over 8 years of research experience in understanding the molecular basis of Neuropsychiatric and Neurodevelopmental disorders. She currently works as a Scientist with Dr. Laura Lavery at Rice University, Houston to discover novel therapies patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. Following her masters and doctoral degree in Neuroscience from University of Texas at Dallas in 2016, she completed her first postdoctoral training at UT Southwestern Medical Center under the mentorship of Dr. Craig Powell.
She then completed her second postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston under the mentorship of Dr. Huda Zoghbi who has received many accolades including the Breakthrough prize, Brain Prize and the Kavli Prize. Roopashri has over 6 years of experience with teaching and mentoring students.
At The University of Texas at Dallas, she coached students on research design, planning and execution in addition to assisting professors with lectures and evaluations. As an experienced biomedical researcher who is also passionate about teaching, she can effectively coach students. Her diverse educational background combined with her mentoring experiences positions her well to turn her passion into practice. During her free time, Roopashri enjoys photography, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Check out the Videos of Presentations from Previous Participants