Hello and Welcome to SSP!!!
We are so excited to kick off SSP 2021 ~virtual~ edition and finally get to meet you all. It has been a fun week preparing for your arrival and ensuring that even though our program is virtual you will all have an unforgettable summer. This past year has taken a lot of adjusting on the part of students and educators, however, we have tailored this program to ensure learning, collaboration, and to challenge our participants.
While it may seem contradictory to partake in an immersive science program with no in-person lab, I can promise these next few weeks will teach you more than a textbook ever could. SSP’s goal is to offer students a supportive living and learning community and we have worked hard to ensure this is not lost through the virtual format. SSP is truly the experience of a lifetime, which is only made possible by each and every one of you!
With that being said, I’d like to introduce you all to our four amazing TAs…
Laney Flanagan
Laney is a rising senior at MIT majoring in biochemistry, thanks in part to her time as an SSP participant in 2017. She grew up in Maui, Hawaii, but is now living in the Boston area where she spends most free days doing taekwondo, skateboarding, learning guitar, reading sci-fi/fantasy, bouldering, and trying any other random hobby that catches her eye that week. Laney is most excited to get to know all of you and see your creativity & talent in action!
Fun Fact: Laney has never gotten a concussion, despite performing in at least 5 high concussion-risk sports in her life (…knock on wood).
Colin Hemme
Colin is a rising senior in biochemistry at Purdue from Lafayette IN since 7th grade. He plans on pursuing graduate school to work in academics. In his free time he plays Dungeons & Dragons, writes music, paints miniatures, and plays video games. He is most excited to get experience in teaching during SSP.
Fun Fact: At the beginning of this year, he became a pescatarian
Kyle Schulz
Kyle is from Westfield, IN. He is a Purdue graduate. He majored in Biochemistry and continued his education by getting a masters in science education. He is currently a teacher at Northwestern high school. He teaches biology, chemistry, Integrated chemistry and physics, and even science research. His hobbies are unicycling, playing boardgames/video games, and watching movies. He is excited to be your TA and wants to help you learn as much as possible during SSP.
Fun Fact: He has scuba dived in the Florida Keys
Molly Szpakowski
Molly is a rising senior at Boston University studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology on a pre-med track. She is from Hackettstown New Jersey. She loves to spend her free time hiking, running, going down the shore, cooking, and occasionally watching excessive amounts of Netflix documentaries. She was a SSP Biochemistry participant in 2017 and is super excited to know each and every one of you and share in this once in a lifetime experience!
Fun Fact: She broke her hand on her 15th birthday, only a months after having ACL surgery.
We look forward to an amazing program and getting to know you all!
Your Teaching Assistants,
Laney, Colin, Kyle, and Molly
