MADISON – Puja Chopade of Madison has been selected to participate in the 39th annual Research Science Institute, held in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or MIT.

The Center of Excellence in Education’s Board of Trustees deliberated on teenage students that will attend MIT’s RSI program.

Chopade is a junior at Bob Jones High School.

The Research Science Institute is scheduled for June 26 through Aug. 6. Chopade is among 51 students in the United States and 30 students from other nations who will attend the institute.

Participants experience the entire research cycle from start to finish. They read the most current literature in their field and draft and execute a detailed research plan. Then, the students will deliver conference-style oral and written reports on their findings. (cee.org/programs)

Institute scholars first participate in a week of intensive science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM classes with accomplished professors. The heart of RSI is the five-week research internship in which students conduct individual projects under the tutelage of mentors who are experienced scientists and researchers.

During the final week of RSI, students prepare written and oral presentations on their research projects.

Among her other accomplishments, Chopade ranked as second-place finalist in Pathophysiology at the HOSA State Leadership Conference (HOSA represents “Future Health Professionals.”) in early 2021. Her Science Bowl team claimed the regional title.

Chopade is President and co-founder of Bob Jones Science Academy, which hosts the Bob Jones Science Challenge, a district-wide technical competition.

An accomplished chess player in Madison City Chess League, Chopade served as Assistant Tournament Director at the 2021 Fall Scholars Tournament. She reached the Top Ten in the 2020 Madison City Schools Fall Scholars Tournament in the K-12 Open Section. Chopade tied for third place in the U1200 section of the Alabama State Chess Championship in 2020.

She was the fifth-place contestant in individual play in the K-12 Section of the 2020 All Girls State Chess Championship. Recently, Puja Chopade claimed the title of 2021 Alabama Brain Bee Champion, a neuroscience competition that is affiliated with the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

For more information, visit cee.org/programs/research-science-institute.