PGSS 2025
A Message From The 2025 Govies
June 22, 2025. That’s the day our journey began. For many of us, this marked our first time away from our families for an extended period of time. We entered (the infamous, but ever so beloved) Donner House, nervously reading the unfamiliar names on each and every door while simultaneously trying to decipher what the pierogies, pickles, cheesesteaks, and Hershey’s meant. Little did we know, these very unknown people would soon become our lifelong friends, and these very odd foods would define the MOST competitive nights of our five weeks.
PGSS was everything we did and didn’t expect. Yes, that sounds super contradictory, but it’s this exact nuanced nature that made PGSS such a beautiful experience. For every crashout over one of Dr. Walker’s combinatorics, there was also a fun trip out to eat (who doesn’t love food). For every time we were ripping our hair out over Dr. Alison telling us about the fourth dimension of momentum, there was also a time of celebrating each other. For every single time of academic challenge, there was an even greater complementary social experience.
Out of complete honesty, we walked into the halls of Donner with the uneasy expectation of being stuck in a competitive nerd camp for five weeks, where social activity was not even a consideration. However, we couldn’t have been any further from the truth. And as much as we hate to admit being wrong, we are ever so grateful that we were. Every single day and every single night, we could look to our left and right and see some of the not only brightest, but also kindest people ever. The brilliance of PGSS doesn’t solely lie in the academic excellence that the students represent and learn about, but instead the community that forms to accelerate learning to the next dimension.
We can go on forever about the art of PGSS social life; however, we recognize that the program rewards students of high academic aspiration, and wow, is reward an understatement. The unanimous best factor of PGSS education is that there is not a letter or number attached to performance. Yes, we are completely serious – the very grades that pile stress onto students today are not a thing in this program. PGSS is a place where learning is loved, where curiosity is encouraged, and where education is fun.
Once 72 strangers, we now stand as a united family with the common purpose of making an impact in the world, and PGSS was a huge step in our mission. We have also grown into people who recognize the value of those around us. Not everyone gets the opportunity to learn from world-class professors, not everyone gets to have fun TAs, but most importantly, not everyone has friends alongside them to inspire the journey. PGSS gave us all of those, and we are forever grateful.
For anyone reading our message who is considering applying to the program, please don’t hesitate! This program will challenge you academically, but it will be through these challenges that your intellect is enriched. You’ll make lifelong friends and get a glimpse of college life as well. We are so excited to see how bright the future classes of PGSS shine. See you next year at the reunion!
More Than Just Four Letters
Core Courses
Biology of Cancer, Stem Cells, and Genome Editing
Taught by Dr. Brooke McCartney, this course explored advanced cell and molecular biology through cancer, stem cells, and CRISPR gene editing. Students examined modern medical breakthroughs like immunotherapies and stem cell treatments while developing skills in experimental design, critical analysis, and interdisciplinary problem-solving across genetics and biomedical research.
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
Led by Niharika Krishna Botcha, this course covered structure, reactivity, and synthesis of organic compounds. Students explored advanced reaction mechanisms, functional groups, and analytical techniques like IR and NMR spectroscopy, connecting organic chemistry concepts to real-world applications in materials science, environmental sustainability, and medicine.
Computer Science: Programming Languages and Engineering Tradeoffs
Taught by Andrew McGuier, this course revealed the science behind programming languages through building a mini language. Students explored compilation, parsing, type theory, and computation while considering history, ethics, and design tradeoffs—linking theory, implementation, and human-centered innovation in computer science.
Discrete Mathematics
Under Russell Walker, students studied combinatorics, graph theory, modular arithmetic, recursion, and proof techniques such as induction. The course emphasized discrete math’s importance in computing, data analysis, and network design, illustrating how logical reasoning underpins modern digital systems.
Concepts of Modern Physics
Taught by John Alison, this course introduced the special theory of relativity, exploring how motion at light speed reshapes intuition about space and time. Students learned to reconcile paradoxes of classical mechanics and develop a deeper, modern understanding of the physical universe.
Electives
Mathematical Finance – Taught by David Handron
This course introduced students to the mathematics underlying modern finance. Topics included asset pricing, interest rates, arbitrage, and replication, focusing on how probability models guide investment decisions and risk reduction. Students learned to apply mathematical reasoning to real-world financial strategies and understand the logic behind market behavior.
Laser Technology – Taught by Benjamin Campbell
This course explored the physics and engineering of lasers, from energy quantization to wave-particle duality. Students studied laser types, architectures, and applications in medicine, telecommunications, manufacturing, and defense, with hands-on demonstrations showcasing light’s properties and the transformative impact of ultrashort pulsed and high-energy laser systems.
Foundations of Music: Science and Mathematics – Taught by Benjamin Campbell
This interdisciplinary course connected music, physics, and mathematics, examining sound waves, harmonics, and the science of hearing. Students analyzed how sound is created, recorded, and reproduced using digital technologies, experimented with sound analysis, and even played the Theremin, exploring the scientific foundations behind musical creativity.
You and Your Microbiota: The Role of Microbes in Health and Disease – Taught by Dr. Brooke McCartney
Students studied the human microbiota and its influence on physiology, immunity, and mental health. Through lectures and team-based problem solving, they explored how gut bacteria impact metabolism, disease, and mood—and how modern lifestyle changes and antibiotics disrupt this delicate microbial ecosystem.
Brain on the Fritz: A Survey of Neurological Diseases – Taught by Natalie McGuier
This course examined neurological disorders from molecular, biological, and behavioral perspectives. Students explored conditions like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, depression, and addiction, beginning with neurobiology fundamentals and progressing to disease mechanisms, gaining insight into how brain dysfunction manifests in both visible and invisible ways.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – Taught by John Urbanic
This course introduced machine learning and deep learning fundamentals, including neural networks and data-driven modeling. Students used the Bridges supercomputer to build AI applications and explore scientific uses of computation, combining theoretical understanding with hands-on programming experience in Python.
Biotechnology – Taught by Tania Wyss
This course surveyed modern biotechnology’s real-world applications, from gene therapy and vaccines to forensic science and GMOs. Students discussed ethical considerations and worked in teams to design biotech-based solutions to global challenges, connecting molecular innovation with its impact on health, society, and the environment.
Favorite Course
Fav. Elective
Team Projects
Investigating DNA Damage from UV Exposure
Study UV-induced DNA damage in yeast using gel electrophoresis and immunofluorescence microscopy, examining mutation effects and testing sunscreen protection to model cancer-related genetic responses.
Microbiome and Neural Function
Examine how gut bacteria influence behavior in C. elegans models of neurodegeneration through bacterial culturing, microscopy, and behavioral assays.
Methods in Animal Communication
Analyze acoustic and visual communication in animals using bioacoustics software, field observations, and computational modeling to interpret signaling behavior across species.
Antimicrobial Peptides and Lipid Membranes
Investigate AMP interactions with lipid bilayers mimicking bacterial and mammalian membranes using X-ray scattering and circular dichroism to study antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
Chemical Equilibrium and Thermodynamics
Determine the equilibrium constant and ΔH, ΔS, ΔG for FeNCS²⁺ complex formation using UV-Vis spectroscopy, applying thermodynamic principles to chemical bonding.
Forensic Chemistry Investigation
Solve a narrative-based forensic case through spectroscopic analysis, applying titration, UV-Vis, and HPLC to identify compounds and refine quantitative chemistry techniques.
Spy vs (AI) Spy
Develop and test AI-driven surveillance systems, alternating between teams that detect or evade sensors while integrating machine learning, security, and hardware programming.
Turn-Based Game Strategy
Design AI algorithms to play strategy games like Reversi or Connect-4, using search trees and heuristics to model intelligent decision-making.
Imaging the Andromeda Galaxy
Use the Allegheny Observatory telescope to image Andromeda and model stellar and dark matter mass, analyzing galactic rotation and composition.
Inductive Traffic Loops
Simulate vehicle detection systems in Ansys HFSS, modeling inductive loops for traffic control and vehicle classification via electromagnetic response.
Metal Detector Design
Design a metal-detection device using mutual and self-inductance, testing how metallic presence alters circuit oscillations and electromagnetic properties.
Simulating Gravitational Lensing
Construct an optical apparatus to simulate Einstein’s gravitational lensing, reproducing Einstein Rings and studying light bending through curved spacetime.
Wave–Particle Duality of Light
Perform experiments on interference and photoelectric effects to explore light’s wave–particle duality, confirming theoretical models through optical observation.
Team Projects Take-Aways
Social Calendar
| June 22: Hello!
June 23: Square Dancing June 24: Scavenger Hunt June 25: Pictionary June 26: Newly Roommated Game June 27: Pirates vs. Mets Game June 28: The Amazing Race June 29: Hike June 30: Popsicle Engineering July 1: TA Trivia July 2: Chess Contest July 3: Hide and Seek July 4: Goofy Olympics July 5: Carnegie Museum of Art and History July 6: Phipps Conservatory July 7: Are You Smarter Than a TA? July 8: Tie Dye Shirt Nite |
July 9: Board Games
July 10: Kick Ball July 11: No-Talent Show July 12-13: Parents’ Weekend + Picklesburgh July 14: Movie Night July 15: Family Feud July 16: Origami Night July 17: Murder Mystery Night July 18: Card Games July 19: Capture the Flag + Reunion Picnic July 20: Kennywood July 21: Counselors vs. Students Sports July 22: Movie Night 2 July 23: Ice Cream Sundae Nite + Water Fight July 24: PGSS Symposium Day 1 July 25: PGSS Symposium Day 2 + Paint the Fence (Banner) July 26: Goodbye! |
Favorite Social Event
Favorite Memories
Omisa Shah
The square dance
Shaun Fernando
My favorite memory was pulling an all nighter on the last day
Cohen Orlandini
My favorite PGSS memory will always be eating with my friends.
Evelyn Weng
My favorite memory was riding all the roller coasters and eating the giant serving of ice cream.
Joseph Marshall
Running through the buildings looking for the flag
Tushar Mehta
Doing the rowing boat dance with ding, Ethan, and others
Aashi Bhatt
definitely the fourth of july fireworks and the late night baja blasts
Emily Chen
All nighter on the last day
Aden Prence
Staying up on the last night and going to see the sunrise in the morning.
Dev Marwaha
Seeing everyone goof off at the No Talent Show!
Almost Fridays + Others
Acknowledgements
We’d like to express our deepest gratitude to the following individuals and organizations:
- Dr. Natalie McGuier – PGSS Program Director
- The PGSS Campaign – Support for the Program
- Carnegie Mellon University – Host Institution
- Melissa Lessure – PGSS Office, Carnegie Mellon University
Faculty
- John Alison – Physics, Carnegie Mellon University
- Annie Arnold – Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University
- Ilir Beta – Chemistry, Robert Morris University
- Niharika Botcha – Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University
- Benjamin Campbell – Laser Technology, Robert Morris University
- Chayanika Chaudhuri – Physics, Robert Morris University
- Carrie Doonan – Biology, Carnegie Mellon University
- Lynley Doonan – Biology, Carnegie Mellon University
- Emily Drill – Biology, Carnegie Mellon University
- David Handron – Mathematics, Carnegie Mellon University
- Kerry Handron – Physics, Allegheny Observatory/Public VR
- Barry Harris – Biology, Ringgold High School
- Barry Luokkala – PGSS Director Emeritus, Carnegie Mellon University
- Brooke McCartney – Biology, Carnegie Mellon University
- Andrew McGuier – Computer Science, Echo Gate Tech LLC
- Tom Medvitz – Computer Science, Medvitz Analytics, LLC/Tech Elevator
- Neil Simonetti – Mathematics/Computer Science, Bryn Athyn College
- Stephanie Tristram-Nagle – Physics, Carnegie Mellon University
- John Urbanic – Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University
- Russell Walker – Mathematics, Carnegie Mellon University
- Tania Wyss – Biology, University of Pittsburgh
TAs/Staff
- Johnathan Barsotti – Mathematics, University of Pennsylvania
- Xavier Choe – Physics, Case Western Reserve University
- Emma Cohen – Chemistry Storeroom, Carnegie Mellon University
- Mia Evans – Mathematics, Carnegie Mellon University
- Eric Feng – Biology, Carnegie Mellon University
- Asini Gulanawatthalage – Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University
- Zav Hartline – Co-Director, Residence Life Purdue University
- Camden Johnson – Co-Director, Residence Life Carnegie Mellon University
- Kevin Kim – Biology, Carnegie Mellon University
- Qiaru Miffy Liu – Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University
- Brian LuValle – Physics, Carnegie Mellon University
- Levi McFall – Computer Science, Bryn Athyn College
- Nick Noyol – Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University
- Lanee Olson-Marichak – Biology, University of Pennsylvania
- Parth Parikh – Computer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Melanie Torres – Physics, University of Pittsburgh
Webpage made by Aashi Bhatt (PGSS 2025)
Contributors: Shaurya Kapoor, Eva Irani-Nealen, Andy Huang
Submissions from 2025 govies 🙂