Pioneer Academics is proud to announce that 101 papers authored by scholars from the 2024 academic year have been nominated for publication in The Pioneer Research Journal, an annual publication showcasing the most outstanding undergraduate-level research and writing generated by the high school students from around the world who participated in this year’s institute.
These scholars come from 78 high schools representing 14 countries and regions. The nominated research papers present innovative analysis and new knowledge in a wide range of academic fields spanning STEM, social sciences, humanities, and pre-professional disciplines.
Pioneer Academics’ research institute is the world’s only fully-accredited online research institute for high school students. These nominated research papers are superlative examples of work conducted in the Pioneer Research Institute in which motivated and exceptional high school students from around the world pursue original research under the mentorship of world class professors in Pioneer’s academic system. The scholars enrolled in the institute meet online with small international cohorts in seminar-style sessions in their research concentration before moving on to work individually with the professor to generate an undergraduate-level research paper on an original topic they are required to develop.
All of the research papers completed by Pioneer scholars undergo rigorous academic oversight, each one representing a significant achievement in original exploration and discovery and held to the highest academic standards. The 101 papers nominated for the 2024 edition of The Pioneer Journal, which marks the 11th volume, comprise the top 5.8% of the papers produced during Pioneer’s 2024 academic year. The nominated papers will next be evaluated in a comprehensive review process which includes a double-blind review conducted by a panel of more than 40 university faculty from leading institutions in the United States.
The Pioneer Research Journal does not function as, nor is it promoted as, a vehicle to enhance college applications. Rather, it is meant to offer audiences interested in the potential of high-school-student scholarship exemplars of outstanding erudition. For that reason, the journal’s selection process prioritizes the equitable double-blind evaluation of all papers under consideration with no regard for the college application cycle.
We look forward to announcing the papers selected for publication shortly after the start of the new year. In the meantime, we congratulate the authors of all the nominated papers, each of whom exemplifies the academic rigor embodied by the Pioneer system. For a complete list of nominated papers and authors, please see the chart below.
Scholar Name
Scholar School
Scholar Country/Region (by school)
Pioneer Research Area
Pioneer Paper Topic
Ahuja, Arnav
Archbishop Mitty High School
United States
Biology
Effects of short sequence nucleotide feature extraction on the RNA-binding protein site prediction using in-vivo RNA secondary structures
Zhu, Ziqing
Shanghai World Foreign Language Academy
China
Directed Upper Motor Neurons Differentiation by Upregulation of the CB1 Signaling Pathway in an ALS Disease Model
Zhu, Libei
BASIS International School of Hangzhou
Psychology
Impaired oligodendrocyte morphology regulated by schizorphenia risk factors MAG gene leads to mental disorder-like behavior in mice
Zhu, Alex Xuanrui
Concord Academy
Gender Studies
Observing Women in The Aeneid via Foucauldian Lens: A Feminist Reading of Virgil's Magnum Opus
Zholmukhan, Aitore
National School Of Physics And Mathematics
Kazakhstan
Chemistry
Proposal for the Total Synthesis of (±)-Lingzhilactone B via Semipinacol Rearrangement
Aidarkhan, Amirkhan Alimkhan
Nazarbayev Intellectual School Of Physics And Mathematics Taraz
Computer Science
A Novel Genetic Approach to Solving the Graph Bandwidth Problem Using Wave Function Collapse Techniques
Akkus, Yigithan
Koc Ozel Lisesi
Turkey
Physics/astronomy
Testing Bekenstein-Hawking Entropy with Gravitational Wave Data Under Microcanonical Ensemble
Andria, Denis
Istanbul International Community School
Economics
What drives individuals to purchase goods at unreasonably high prices in the second-hand exchange market of anime peripheral products
Zhang, Ruixin (Rui)
Tsinglan School
Education
The Effects of Gamification in Flipped Learning on Student Achievement and Motivation in a Secondary Mathematics Classroom
Antonio, Ingrid
Bard High School Early College II
Philosophy
The Right to Conceive Through the Use of Sperm Donation as a Single Woman
Zhang, Kan (Kevin)
BASIS International School - Park Lane Harbour
The Unfree Life Is Worth Living
Zhang, Haoyun (Richelle)
Shanghai Pinghe School
Neuroscience
Cocktail gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases: overexpression of ubiquitin-proteosome system (UPS) components and knock-down of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs)
Zhang, Hanxi (Tristan)
Montverde Academy Shanghai
Vision Transformers for Detecting Al-generated Images
Arun, Snigdha
Northwood High School
From structure to function: Neuronal spine morphologies in the context of Neurological Diseases
Chen, Emily
German Swiss International School
Hong Kong S.A.R.
Neuroscience/Biology
The Roles and Mechanisms of Burst Firing Neurons in the Lateral Habenula Circuit in Depression, and Implications of Targeted Inhibition by Antidepressants as Potential Treatment
Chen, Erica
Mulgrave School
Canada
International Relations
Title: Digitalization's Role in Enhancing Social Efficiency in Microfinance
Xu, Xinyue (Yiyi)
Shanghai United International School Gubei Secondary
Sociology
Thesis: How do laws and legal proceedings address the intersection of freedom of speech and technology-facilitated gender-based violence?
Chen, Yifei
Guangdong Country Garden School
Mathematics
Statistical mechanics derivation of the asymptotic formula for integer partitions
Cui, Zijian (Jay)
Architecture
Curating the “International Style”: Philip Johnson’s Influential Role in Shaping 20th-Century Architecture
Xu, Jingqi (George)
International School of Beijing, Shunyi
Physics
Parameter Variation on the Dynamics of a Relativistic Damped Duffing-like Driven System
Xiong, David Zhou
Buckingham Browne and Nichols School
History/STS
Science, Slavery, and Society: Maria Sybilla Merian and Hans Sloane in the Colonial Americas
Desai, Ila Gayatri
Brearley School
Political Science
Ayslum Policy in the United States: Fixing a Broken System
Fan, Abigail L (Abby)
Diamond Bar High School
Business
Applying Adaptive Homeostasis through Learning from Cautionary Examples and Application to Build a Model for Cash Flow Management in Startup High Growth Companies
Fan, Yuanxi (Anna)
Beijing City International School
Experimental protocol investigating the role of exercise in advanced ALS rehabilitation
Feng, Lucas
Millard North High School
Music
The Art of Surprise: A Musical Analysis of Select Scores by John Powell from the How to Train Your Dragon Trilogy
Gao, Yisi (Theresa)
The Influence of Tourism on Nutrient Pollution: A Case Study of Park Lane Harbor, Huizhou
Wang, Guanxi
The Experimental High School Attached to Beijing Normal University
Environmental Studies
“Assessing Corporate Water Stewardship Strategies of Certified B Corps in China Toward Environmental Sustainability based on B Impact Assessment Scores”
Gutti, Mihira
Irvington High School
Chemistry/Biology
Design and Evaluation of GDP366 Analogs for Survivin Inhibition
Tang, Rosalyn Yuen Yim
The Independent Schools Foundation Academy
An investigation into the pharmacological mechanisms of the tradiational Chinese medicine Qinigxin capsule in treating hypertension based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
Harikrishnan, Vedika
GEMS Wellington School Qatar
Qatar
Impact of strengthens based intervention on well being and academic performance.
Jiang, Carolanne Tiana
Walnut Hill School
Mastering the Meaning of Logic: A Meta-Ethical Analysis of Philosophical Pitfalls
Jiang, Ivy
Spence School
Uterine Neoplasms: Gene Expression Insights into Gynecological Malignancies
Jiang, Yixin (Sophie)
Richmond Secondary School
Leveraging Emotion Detection to Enhance User Understanding on Social Media
Jiang, Yuning
Guangzhou Foreign Language School
Material classification system using inductive tactile sensors and machine learning algorithms
Sun, Ruihan (Andrew)
High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China
Threat narrative regarding immigrants in Caravans: Partisan differences in YouTube comments
Sun, Qiyao (James)
Beijing Huijia Private School
The Impact of Loan Prime Rate Reforms on China's Financial System
Song, Yuri Samantha
Memory in Massacre: Remembrance through Nanjing and Holocaust Memorials
Jiang, Zaixin (Kitty)
United Nations International School
Myosin 1c and PIP2 interact to regulate slow adaptation in mammalian inner hair cells.
John, Jasmine Ruth
Garland High School
Business/Psychology
Relative Persuasiveness of Gain-Framed Beneficiary Framing Messages on Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Employee Discretionary Work Effort
Ryu, Hyunjun
The Gunnery
Youth Advocacy in the Digital Age: Comparative Motivations and Impact of Digital andGrassroots Movements
Kosimjonova, Khadicha
Baldwin High School
cXist Gene’s Influence in Modulating to Explain Sex Bias of Autoimmune Disorders
Kuscer, Devi
UWC Atlantic
United Kingdom
Constraining Dark Matter Density in the Galactic Center Using the Peribothron Shift in the Orbit of S2
Qi, Yinuo
Anthropology
A Gendered Crisis: Social Constructs of Masculinities on Men’s Attitudes Towards Public Health Recommendations in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Lin, Guanming
Using Machine Learning to Detect Toxic Text Online: A Punctuation and Case Aided Approach
Perlman, Maelis Lishan
Brentwood School
Sociology & Environmental Studies
An Overview of Forms of Exposure to and Effects of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances on Humans and Select Non-Human Species
Lin, Jeffrey
The Hotchkiss School
Anthropology / History
Persistent and Unwavering in the Face of Adversity Zhiqing’s Self and Collective Enrichment during the Down to the Countryside Movement
Patil, Ranveer Shekhar
Dhirubhai Ambani International School
India
Inhibiting Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and ABC Transporters: A Promising Approach to treat Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Pan, Yi Rong (Anita)
York House School
Literature
Modernity and its Discontents: Failed Rebellion in Naomi
Pan, Xingyue (Georgia)
Suzhou Foreign Language School
Gender Perceptions Differentiation Across Educational Levels and Age Groups in China
Nas, Yigit Efe
Diyarbakir Bahcesehir College Science and Technology High School
Political Science/International Relations
FROM FISHING VILLAGE TO GLOBAL CITY: TO WHAT EXTENT WAS SHENZHEN’S HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PLANNED DURING ITS TRANSFORMATION INTO A GLOBAL CITY?
Lu, Xingyuan Michael (Michael)
GEP Water Quality Sensor
Martinez Sandoval, Diego Ussiel
Knight High School
Atrocities Committed in Ethiopia under Fascist Italy during the Interwar Period: A League of Nations’ Failure to Enforce Accountability
Mehta, Shaan
Dougherty Valley High School
Investigating the effects of induced synthetic lethality through PARP-Inhibitors and ionizing radiation combination therapy in BRCA1/2 mutated breast cancer patients
Ma, Xinran (Cindy)
Computer Science/Biology
Identification of Biomarkers and Biological Pathways in Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis through Machine Learning
Moon, Shinyeong (Erica)
Jakarta Intercultural School
Indonesia
Waste Colonialism in the 21st Century: Import and Export Trends in the Global Waste Trade
Lin, Zixian (Lin)
Yinchuan No 1 High School Ningxia
Why are They a Minority?: An Analysis of the Commonalities and Preferences of Female Players in Action Competitive Games
Lin, Zhiheng (Harry)
Shenzhen College of International Education
The Impact of Monetary Policy Shocks in Major Economies on the Trade Flow in Emerging Economies
Zhang, Luoxuan (Luna)
Stigma, Agency, and “Whorearchy:” a Post-feminism Neoliberal Discourse Analysis of Sex Work in the Era of OnlyFans
Pattanaik, Zoha
The Buckley School
Bridging Legacies: A Comparative Analysis of Legal Frameworks for Addressing Gender-Based Violence in India and the United States
Pospesel, Gabriel Luc
International School of Zug and Luzern
Switzerland
Partisan Bias in New Coverage of Political Polarization: Assessing Meta-Perceptions and Affective Polarization
Li, Haorun (Rain)
Horace Mann School
Computer Science/ Biology
GEM-CDR: Cancer-Drug Response Prediction Using Graph Neural Networks and Molecular Attention
Lee, Yeeun (Amy)
Green Level Highschool
Using the CRISPR-Cas System for Precision Antimicrobial Treatment (AMR)
Risteska Daskalovski, Teodora (Tedi)
Nova International Schools
North Macedonia
Gender in the 2024 Macedonian Presidential Elections: An Analysis of Online Voter Engagement with Female vs Male Candidates
Rubin, Alexandra Blake (Alex)
Blind Brook High School
The Evolution of American Gender Roles and its Impact on Consumption Patterns
Kim, Hayoung (Jhin)
Seoul Scholars International
South Korea
Professional Gaming is not a Disorder: A Comparison of Occupations and Addiction Disorders
Josyula, Rhea R
Henry M Gunn High School
The Use of Music Therapy to Slow the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Shang, Xiaomu (Maple)
Suzhou International Academy
Adaptation of Historic Structures within Tropical Seismic Zones: A Case Study in Calle Real
Jin, Eric Sheng-Yan
Shanghai American School - Pudong Campus
Engineering
Brain Computer Interfaces: Challenges, Developments,and Future Implications
Shim, Amanda Charlie (Andie)
Phillips Academy
History
Better Late Than Never: The Effect of South Korea’s Late Industrialization on its Modern Sustainability Practices
Sung, Esther
Mount Hebron High School
Proposal of Replication-Competent Lentiviral Vectors as HIV Treatment
Surve, Ishaan Shailesh
Evaluating and Addressing the Impact of Particulate Matter and Artificial Light At Night Stressors On Plant Physiology And The Urban Ecosystem
Syed, Abiya
Indus International School - Pune
Insights from the evaluation of genetic links between endometriosis and autoimmune conditions
Tam, Justin
Staten Island Technical High School
Economics/Environmental Studies
Nitrogen Pollution in the Mesoamerican Reef: Sources, Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies
Hei, Mingyi
Beijing No. 101 High School
The Medical Power of Music: Music and Alzheimer’s Disease
Tang, Caitlyn Hoi Ning
Film Studies
Beyond the Picket Fence: Expectations of Motherhood in Lynne Ramsay’s We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
Hao, Yeqing (Prince)
Mccallie School
A New Era of E-commerce: An Analysis of the Emergence of Live Sale in China Post-Covid
Tuo, Zehao
Haidian foreign language academy
Comparing Different Rating Systems in Professional Snooker Matches
Gong, Haoning (Kevin)
George School
Impact of Forestry Practices in South China on the Stopover and Conservation of Migratory Forest Dependent Birds
Wang, Xiaoyu (Sally)
Beijing International Bilingual Academy
Alternate Historical Fiction and the Reflection on Women’s Traumatic Cycle in Political Exchanges under Societal Expectations
Wang, Yihan (Vicky)
No 2 High School of East China Normal University
Anthropology/Environmental Studies
Local response to cyanobacteria blooms in Taihu Lake
Wei, Renyi (Roy)
YK Pao School
Power’s Eyes: Revitalization of Panopticism in Cyber-surveillance
Whang, Sunwoo
Island School
Investigating the relationship between the shape and efficiency of heat transfer in CPU heatsinks
Wu, Alice
Deerfield Academy
Beauty as Performance: How Image Defines Success in China’s Pop Industry
Xu, Mulong
Nanjing Foreign Language School
Tiling of a Chessboard
Xu, Raymond Ruiping
Oakton High School
Harnessing the Wind: An Analysis of the Feasibility of OffshoreWind Farms in Virginia and Implications for the East Coast
Chen, Rachel Ruoxuan
Marlborough School
On Hackenbush Games and Surreal Numbers
Xu, Yuechen (Jenny)
Shanghai Soong Ching Ling School
Source Localization and Experiences of VR-induced Depersonalization and Derealization: An Interoceptive Predictice Coding Model
Yang, JinRan (Jane)
Yue Opera of the New Generation: Through Modern Aesthetics
Cai, Haolin
Second High School Attached to Beijing Normal University
The Effect of Negative Electrode Particle Size on Capacity Fade in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Cai, Haofan (Daniel)
Saint Margaret's Episcopal School
Electric Vehicle Adoption in the European Market: Attitudinal Factors Impacting Adoptions
Yu, Zixiao
Beijing Number 80 High School
Melody of Survival: Tree Hydraulics and Resilience for Drought-Induced Cavitation
Zhang, Mijia (Mirandy)
Beijing National Day School
Bond Girls Or Yimou Girls?: Differences Between Zhang Yimou’s Wu Xia and the James Bond Franchise’s Development of Female Characters in the Early 2000s
Zhang, Xiyuan (Ashley)
Hangzhou Number 14 Middle School
Stock Market Forecasting: How Will Competing Relationship Indicate the Stock Price – A Case Study
Zhang, Zhuxuan
Western musical elements in Kun Opera performances
Zheng, Kaixin (Cassie)
Shanghai American School - Puxi Campus
History and Gender Studies
Colonial Legacies: The Impact of European Colonialism on National Identity in Latin American and Caribbean Pageants
Zou, Jason
Dulwich College Beijing
Media Studies
The Impact of China's “Qinglang 2024” Campaign on Social Media Users' Attitudes and Perceptions of Wealth and Its Public Expression
Deng, Addison
A Levinasion Interpretation: The Other and the Self Within the Classical World
Aday, Elkhan
Miras International School - Almaty
Double Hexagonal Strip tiling and Corresponding Identities
Liu, Jingyi (Yolanda)
A Black Woman’s Flickering Voice: How do the periods of vacancy of Janie’s voice mark her gradual development of authoritative power as a black female in Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God?
Feng, Peihe
High School Affiliated to South China Normal University
Athlete, Artemis, and the "American Girl": A New Perspective on May Welland in Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence
Guo, Maximilian Yufei (Max)
Basis Independent Silicon Valley
History and Literature
Lenin’s Unattainable Utopia: The Incompatibility of Bolshevism and Democracy
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