Bugs as Materials

Logo featuring a stylized bacterium in orange, on top of a red bandage and blue pill. The bacterium is surrounded by abstract shapes representing bacteria or cells. Below the logo, the text reads 'Bugs as Materials' in blue and 'Summer Internship' in red.

The Bugs as Materials internship offers a unique opportunity for local high school students to immerse themselves in cutting-edge research at the intersection of biology, biomaterials, computational biomaterials, engineering, and materials science. This hands-on program explores the fascinating role of microbes in creating sustainable materials and understanding their impact on health, industry, and the environment.

Participants will work alongside College of Engineering faculty in Carnegie Mellon University engineering labs, contributing to projects focused on microbial/cell growth, biofilm formation, and the development of novel bio-based materials. Students will gain exposure to scientific research methodologies, laboratory techniques, and real-world problem-solving skills, preparing them for future academic and career pursuits in STEM fields.

Program objectives

Introduce bio/chemical engineering concepts

Provide hands-on research experience

Foster scientific and technical skill development

Strengthen communication and presentation abilities

Promote college readiness and career/academic exploration

Encourage teamwork and mentorship engagement

Gallery

  • A scientist holds up a well plate to point something out to a younger scientist.
  • Seven female scientists wearing lab coats and safety glasses gather around a blackboard in a laboratory.
  • In a laboratory, a young male scientist, seated, asks a question of a female scientist, standing.
  • Seen from behind, two young scientists in white lab coats work at a metal lab bench. One scientist holds a pipette in a gloved hand.
  • Two young scientists wearing lab coats and safety glasses label samples on a lab table.
  • A young scientist wearing gloves, safety glasses, and a lab coat holds a pipette above a well plate.
  • In a laboratory, one scientist talks to another scientist about a petri dish she is holding.
  • Four female scientists in a laboratory gather to examine two petri dishes.
  • Eight students and one professor lined up for a group photo outside an academic building.

    • Application process

    black and white drawing of differently-shaped microbes

    Program details

    • Program runs from July 1 to July 31
    • Tuesdays through Thursdays
    • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Housing will not be provided

    Outline of page with lines representing text and empty checkboxes. A checkmark inside a circle is over the bottom right corner.

    Eligibility requirements

    • Must be 16 years or older by the program start date
    • Must have a Pennsylvania Work Permit
    • Must be a high school student in 11th or 12th grade at the time of application submission
    • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

    black and white outline of a calendar page

    Application timeline

    • Application opens at the beginning of February (link will be available on this webpage)
    • Application deadline at the end of February
    • Applicants notified of decisions in early May

    black and white drawing of application form on a computer screen

    Application requirements

    The Bugs as Materials online application will include more specific information regarding requirements. However, applicants can expect the application to include the following:

    • Online application form
    • High school transcript submission
    • Resume submission
    • Pennsylvania Work Permit submission
    • Short answer questions
    • One reference

    Sheet of paper with lines representing text. A lightbulb is in front of the bottom right corner of the page.

    Application essay prompts

    Maximum of 300 words each

    • Why are you interested in participating in research?
    • Have you conducted any prior research? If yes, briefly describe the project and your role.
    • What do you hope to gain from this experience?
    • What are your career aspirations?

    Faculty mentors

    Tagbo Niepa

    Tagbo H.R. Niepa

    Arthur Hamerschlag Associate Professor
    Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering

    Email
    tniepa@andrew.cmu.edu
    Daphne Chan

    Daphne Wui Yarn Chan

    Assistant Professor
    Chemical Engineering

    Email
    wydchan@cmu.edu
    Carl Laird

    Carl Laird

    Department Head and John E. Swearingen Professor
    Chemical Engineering

    Email
    claird@andrew.cmu.edu
    Derin Sevenler

    Derin Sevenler

    Assistant Professor
    Chemical Engineering

    Email
    sevenler@cmu.edu

    Program coordinator

    Ann Badia

    Ann Badia

    Doctorate

    Email
    badia@cmu.edu
    Advisor
    Tagbo H.R. Niepa

    2024-2025 cohort

    Eshal Ahmad

    Eshal Ahmad

    Grade 12, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley PA

    Manith Bannenahally

    Manith Bannenahally

    Grade 12, Spring Valley High School, Columbia SC

    Mitchell Braidic

    Mitchell Braidic

    Grade 12, Montour High School, McKees Rocks PA

    Josephine Courtney

    Josephine Courtney

    Grade 11, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley PA

    Caroline Kain

    Caroline Kain

    Grade 12, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley PA

    Laila Strothers

    Laila Strothers

    Grade 12, Oakland Catholic High School, Pittsburgh PA

    Grace Webb

    Grace Webb

    Grade 12, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley PA

    Evelyn Zutter

    Evelyn Zutter

    Grade 11, Quaker Valley High School, Leetsdale PA

    2023-2024 cohort

    Samaira Bhat

    Samaira Bhat

    Grade 11, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley PA
    Project: Bugs as Electroactive & Photocatalytic Bandaid

    Marann Buckanovich

    Marann Buckanovich

    Grade 12, Winchester Thurston School, Pittsburgh PA
    Project: Bugs as Electroactive & Photocatalytic Bandaid

    Karan Kad

    Karan Kad

    Grade 12, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley PA
    Project: Bugs as Antibiotic-Producers

    Caroline Kain

    Caroline Kain

    Grade 11, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley PA
    Project: Bugs as Antibiotic-Producers

    Herlynn Niepa

    Herlynn Niepa

    Grade 11, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley PA
    Project: Bugs as Electroactive & Photocatalytic Bandaid

    Quincy Sirko

    Quincy Sirko

    Grade 12, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley PA
    Project: Bugs as Electroactive & Photocatalytic Bandaid

    Twisha Trivedi

    Twisha Trivedi

    Grade 12, South Fayette High School, McDonald PA
    Project: Bugs as Antibiotic-Producers

    Publications

    • Levin, D. S., Cue-Royo, C. S., Johnson, D. J., Gosh, S., Balmuri, S. R., Usman, H., Martínez Vásquez, S.M., Yedusoss, D.K., Djire, A., Mostafa, B., Niepa, T.H.R. Engineering an electroactive bacterial cellulose-carbon nanotube composite membrane against Staphylococcus aureus. Biofilm 10 (2025) 100305.
    • Bhat, S., Buckanovich, M.S.R., Niepa, H.E., Sirko, Q.R., Kad, K., Kain, C.M., Trivedi, T.S., Usman, H., Martínez Vásquez, S., Niepa, T.H.R. (2024). Powering up Against Pathogens: The Future of Bandages Using Electricity and Light. (Under review).
    • Kad, K., Kain, C.M., Trivedi, T.S., Bhat, S., Buckanovich, M.S.R., Niepa, H.E., Sirko, Q.R., Usman, H., Martínez Vásquez, S., Niepa, T.H.R. (2024). From Soil to Drug: The Antibiotic Journey of Actinomycetes. (Submitted).

    If you are a donor, curious to learn more, interested in mentoring, or a CMU faculty or staff member who wants to get involved in the Bugs as Materials initiative, fill out this short form to let us know how you would like to contribute. Opens in new window

    STEM paths for past participants

    Daniel Levin

    Daniel Levin participated in the Bugs as Materials program from 2021 to 2023 and is now majoring in biological sciences at Duke University. During the two years spent in the program, Daniel worked on engineering bacterial cellulose with carbon nanotubes to eradicate S. aureus. He generated publication-quality data to elucidate the mechanisms of cell killing using this novel material. Daniel presented his work at various venues as part of his professional development and received multiple prizes, including being named one of the Top 300 Scholars from the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Society for Science and the Public ($2,000 award), and the 2023 Davidson Fellowship Award, with a total amount of $50,000.

    Quincy Sirko

    Quincy Sirko participated in the Bugs as Materials program in 2024 and has since continued to pursue her passion for STEM through mentorship and academic achievement. For her senior project, Quincy mentored students at Baden Academy Charter School in their Media Lab program, which empowers students to explore passion projects in areas such as robotics, 3D printing, and engineering. She supported students in developing technical and communication skills through projects that combined STEM with language arts, including book writing and educational video production. Quincy recently graduated from Sewickley Academy with high honors distinction. She was recognized as the school's Most Outstanding Female Athlete, an award given to the athlete who has had the most significant impact on the school's athletic program. She also earned WPIAL All-Section honors for softball in her senior year. Quincy will attend Carnegie Mellon University as a student in the Mellon College of Science.

    Support the Bugs as Materials program

    Early research opportunities inspire the next generation of engineers. Thank you for supporting students!

    Make a gift