The Indiana CTSI’s SEED/STEM Program receives national recognition at American Chemical Society meeting

The Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM Program has been honored with the Outstanding Project SEED Program Award from the American Chemical Society (ACS). This national recognition celebrates exemplary Project SEED programs that demonstrate strong outreach, mentorship, community engagement, and opportunities for growth.

The award will be presented this week during the ACS Fall 2026 Meeting in Chicago, where the Indiana CTSI is supporting 22 high school students and four teachers as they present their summer research projects to a national audience of scientists, educators, and industry leaders.

Project SEED is ACS’s flagship program designed to provide high school students with hands-on research experiences and mentorship opportunities. Through Indiana CTSI’s SEED/STEM Program, students work alongside researchers, gain exposure to careers in science and medicine, and develop the skills and confidence needed to pursue future STEM opportunities.

Vanessa Santana, program coordinator, said that the program is more than a summer research experience.

“The SEED/STEM Program creates opportunities for students to see themselves as scientists, build meaningful connections with the broader science community, and begin to see what a future in science could look like for them,” she said.

The Outstanding Project SEED Program Award recognizes the collective efforts of students, teachers, research mentors, institutional partners, and program staff who have helped expand access to high-quality STEM experiences for Indiana youth and build a strong pipeline of future scientists and healthcare innovators.

“Receiving this award is a meaningful recognition of the work that so many people contribute to making this program possible,” Santana said. “I’m incredibly proud of the growth of the program and the impact it has had on students across Indiana.”