IMS Ninth Grader Receives Gold Medal at iGEM’s Annual Competition

iGEM is an international organization dedicated to advancing the field of synthetic biology, which is an interdisciplinary science combining both biological and genetic engineering techniques.  Their annual international competition gives student teams the opportunities and tools to design, build, test, and then present projects aimed at helping solve issues like climate change, food security, and more. 

Jiwon’s group, “Essential Korea,” began their research earlier this year, studying the impacts of weight loss drugs on the human body. The group’s goal was to help develop a safer and healthier alternative to manage obesity by harnessing a probiotic-derived protein through synthetic biology. As the youngest member of her group, Jiwon gathered and analyzed survey data to understand public perceptions of obesity and biotechnology, and assisted in translating those insights into accessible educational materials for her group. Her efforts supported the team’s mission to build empathy-driven, inclusive outreach and to bridge the gap between laboratory research and real-world impact. 

At the competition, Jiwon and her group presented their research findings and solutions to judges and fellow competitors. The judges then graded each group based on a rubric, assigning honors based on each group’s final presentations. The hard work and scientific ingenuity of Jiwon’s group’s project earned them the gold medal in the high school division of the competition.

Reflecting on her trip, Jiwon shared how wonderful it was to visit Paris for the competition and that her teachers at IMS helped keep her on track with academics while she was away. She said, “Through this experience, I learned the importance of understanding different perspectives and communicating science in ways that are inclusive, accessible, and meaningful to everyone.” Jiwon hopes to continue research like this throughout her academic journey at IMS and beyond.