Alpha Scholars is a rigorous social science research program that teaches college-level research, writing and presentation skills to high school students in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students work one-on-one with Harvard student mentors in advanced study and research of a topic related to their chosen SDG, culminating in a 15-page research paper and 15-minute presentation.
Congratulations to all Fall 2024-2025 medal winners on the quality of your research papers!
Gold Medal
Atuana, Abigail. The Bronx High School of Science, USA. “Colonial Legacies and Contemporary Governance: Impacts of Institutional Integrity on Poverty in Africa”
Bhansali, Siddhant. Morris Hills High School, USA. “Rethinking Depression Treatment: The Over-Reliance on Antidepressants and the Barriers to a Better Future”
Li, Isabella. Shenzhen College of International Education, China. “The Impacts of Cultural and Socioeconomic Factors on Female Child Marriage in South Asia”
Wang, Arthur. Torrey Pines High School, USA. “Shaping Better Academic Performance Through Universal Free School Meals in the United States”
Zijun, Tian. BASIS International Shenzhen, China. “The New Scramble for Africa: the Impact of Land Leasing Policies on Economic Inequality, Environmental Justice, and Indigenous Communities”
Zuccon, Aixa. E.E.T. N°3131 “Juana Azurduy”, Argentina. “Ethnocentrism in the Politics of Argentina: The Impact of Ineffective Policies on the Wichí Identity, Health, and Education”
Silver Medal
Aguilar, Melissa. St. George's College, Peru. “Unraveling the most fragile democracy in South America: How has the aftermath of Alberto Fujimori’s 1992 austerity measures and government restricting influenced socioeconomic disparities and political landscape in 21st-century Peruvian Politics?”
Angeles, Alessandra. Innova Schools, Peru. “The Impact of Congressional Responses to the 2024 Peruvian National Transport Strike on Lima's Economic Sustainability”
Coelho, Priscila Carvalho Morais. Escola Estadual Fernando Otavio, Brazil."Exploring the Impacts of Socioeconomic Backgrounds on Academic Potential and Outcomes of Students in Brazil"
Liu, Kerry. Basis International School Park Lane Harbour, China. “Environmental Neglect in the Russo-Ukrainian War”
Rodriguez, Joaquin. Escuela Parroquial Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Argentina. “A Humanistic Approach to Addressing Socioeconomic Inequality in Argentinian Education: A Descriptive Analysis of the Education System and the Potential Impact of Humanistic Education”
Bronze Medal
Lamrani, Ines. Benjamin Franklin International School of Barcelona, Spain. “Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006): Prevalence of Child Marriage in India”
Liqi, Feng. Singapore Hwa Chong International School, Singapore. “The Function of Housing Policies in Supporting Immigrant-Owned Businesses and Economic Growth in Singapore: A Focus on Government Policies”
Soares da Costa, Yasmim Melissa. Escola Estadual Jeronimo Rosado, Brazil. “Living in the Abyss: The Effects of Low-Socioeconomic Status (SES) on Developing Brain and the Role of Social-emotional Learning in Preventing School Dropout in Brazilian Public Schools”
To learn more about the Alpha Scholars program and apply, please visit alphascholars.org, or follow us on Instagram @alpha_scholars_research.