Two LHS Students Attending Prestigious Voelcker Research Academy

Lutheran High School of San Antonio senior, Alexis, is coming up to the finish line of her transformative experience as a scholar in the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund Biomedical Research Academy (VBRA), an immersive biomedical research, educational and college preparatory program for San Antonio high school students at UT Health San Antonio.

As Alexis reflects on her time in the program, she describes it as nothing short of extraordinary. "Coming to the end of my Voelcker Experience, I look back and wish I could tell freshman me that it is the experience of a lifetime," she shared. "I've had so many opportunities, met amazing people, made so many connections, and discovered the career I want to pursue!"

Meanwhile, another Lutheran High School student is just beginning her own journey in this prestigious program. Sierra, who recently started her internship at Voelcker, is already embracing the program's emphasis on community engagement and mentorship. "I don't have much information on a project yet. But right now we are interviewing for mentors, and volunteered at the food bank!" she shared, demonstrating the program's commitment to developing well-rounded future scientists who understand the importance of service to their community.

The Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy partners the very best rising sophomores from a broad array of San Antonio school districts with outstanding biomedical scientists from the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, creating an elite learning environment typically reserved for college-level students and beyond.

Alexis's Advanced Research
Alexis's research focused on the complex world of amino acid metabolism, specifically studying tryptophan and its biological pathways. Her work explored the delicate balance between neurotoxic and neuroprotective branches of tryptophan metabolism—research with significant implications for understanding neurological health and disease.

"My projects have been based around Tryptophan (an amino acid) and its metabolism (breakdown)," Alexis explained. "Along the tryptophan pathway, there is a neurotoxic branch and a neuroprotective branch. The neurotoxic branch can cause negative effects, including loss of learning and memory, mood symptoms, and contribute to aging."

Her research utilized genetically modified mouse models to study the effects of deleting KMO, a neurotoxic enzyme. This sophisticated approach allowed her to investigate how removing this enzyme might protect against the negative neurological effects associated with the neurotoxic pathway.
The breadth of Alexis's laboratory experience demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the Voelcker program. Her work included:

• Behavioral Assessments: Conducting specialized tests to evaluate learning and memory in research subjects
• Data Analysis: Processing and interpreting complex research data
• Genotyping: Performing DNA labeling techniques to identify genetic modifications
• Cell Culturing: Growing and maintaining cell lines for research purposes

"Working in a lab at this age, when many don't get these experiences until after college, has been amazing!" Alexis noted, highlighting the rare opportunity the program provides to high school students.

Publishing Scientific Research
The quality and significance of Alexis's work is evidenced by her contribution to the scientific community. "Over the years, I have been involved in many different studies and will be published in 2 different papers," she proudly shared. This achievement places her among a select group of high school students who have contributed to peer-reviewed scientific literature—a distinction that will serve her well in future academic and professional endeavors.

About the Program
Created as a pipeline for careers in biomedical sciences, the program was established in 2009, enabling highly competitive high school students to be introduced to biomedical research by accomplished scientists as mentors at UT Health San Antonio. The program's selectivity and prestige make both Alexis's accomplishments and Sierra's acceptance particularly noteworthy.
As Alexis prepares to graduate from Lutheran High School, her Voelcker experience has not only provided her with advanced research skills but has also clarified her career aspirations. Sierra's journey is just beginning, but her early engagement with mentorship opportunities and community service suggests she, too, will make the most of this extraordinary opportunity.
Lutheran High School congratulates both students on their participation in this remarkable program and looks forward to following their continued success as they pursue their passions for biomedical research.
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To learn more about the Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy, visit voelckeracademy.uthscsa.edu

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