HHS Junior Chase Ende Named National STEM Festival Champion
Chase Ende was named a champion for the National STEM Festival. The National STEM Festival celebrates the exceptional talents of high school students across the country. The festival's mission is to guide students towards careers in STEM and to tackle the world's most pressing issues. Chase was selected as a finalist among more than 2500 applicants from across the nation, and is one of only 106 students who will showcase his work at the National STEM Festival this spring. An 11th grade student at Harrison High School, Chase has participated in the science research program for two years. He selected his research focus, Development of a Computational Generative Model to Quantify Binding Affinities and Create Promising Strong-Binding Drug Candidates “because of a family member’s struggle with cancer and the inefficacy of immunotherapy treatments at the time motivated me to create a program that could efficiently design drug molecules capable of strongly targeting specific biological receptors in the body.”
Learn more about Chase and his research.
Research Title: Development of a Computational Generative Model to Quantify Binding Affinities and Create Promising Strong-Binding Drug Candidates
How many years have you been part of the science research program?
I have been part of the Science Research program for 2 years.
Why did you choose your research topic?
I chose my research topic because my grandmother experienced severe side effects from chemotherapy during her battle with cancer. She also tried experimental immunotherapy treatments, but they proved largely ineffective. Years later, as I developed an interest in complex molecular biology, I reflected on the challenges patients face when enduring adverse effects from medications designed to treat a single issue. This inspired me to explore whether computationally designing or modifying drug molecules to precisely match the shape of their target receptors could enhance their effectiveness while minimizing interactions with other systems in the body.
What is the most rewarding part of the research experience?
The most rewarding part of the research was witnessing how abstract concepts in molecular biology and computational modeling translated into results that could potentially impact real-world treatments. Seeing a designed molecule successfully bind to its target receptor with improved specificity felt like a breakthrough moment. It was incredibly fulfilling to know that this work, even in its early stages, could one day contribute to minimizing the suffering of patients like my grandmother by making treatments more effective and less harmful.
What is the most exciting part of being selected a STEM Champion?
The most exciting part of being selected as a STEM Champion is the opportunity to present my work on a national platform. It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to showcase something I’ve dedicated so much time and effort to, especially when I consider the impact it could have on a larger scale. The chance to share my research with a broader audience not only feels like a significant milestone in my journey but also motivates me to push my work further.
