Exclusive NJ STEM Program Chooses Chatham Student

CHATHAM, NJ — A Chatham student has been selected for the Governor's STEM Scholars program, which gives students opportunities to explore STEM careers more intensively, officials with the program said.

Ishir Rao, a junior at Chatham High School, was among 129 students chosen from nearly 1,000 applicants across the state, program officials said.

"These students represent some of the highest-achieving students in New Jersey," the program said.

While in school, Rao founded CS Base, an international non-profit organization teaching computer science skills for free. Through this organization, he has taught over 500 students in locations around the world and received recognition from the New Jersey State Legislature for his efforts.

At Chatham High School, he serves as the school's Research Club President and Student Council President and he has conducted computational biology research on epidemiological control policies.

Rao has received recognition as a Rutgers Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Finalist, received awards from the New Jersey Academy of Science, spoken about his research at the Chatham TEDx, and presented at the 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting.

Outside of STEM, Rao plays viola with the New Jersey Youth Symphony and runs track. In the future, he said he hopes to continue conducting computational research.

The Governor's STEM Scholars is a public-private partnership between the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, the Office of the Governor, the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education, and public and private research institutions.

"(The program) works to sustain and strengthen New Jersey’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) talent pipeline by introducing the state’s STEM students to the R&D and STEM ecosystem," officials said. It "serves as a vital bridge for talented STEM students to connect with research and STEM professionals within the industry, academia, and government sectors. By creating this vital bridge we are building up New Jersey’s STEM network."

New Jersey has the highest concentration of engineers and scientists per square mile in the United States, according to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

"New Jersey's long-tradition of innovation, from the invention of the lightbulb to the development of the first transistor, are powered by some of the best scientists, engineers and inventors in the world," said Anthony Cicatiello, president of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey. "Through the Governor's STEM Scholars, we are able to support the next generation of innovators right here in the Garden State, ensuring a continued legacy of invention and discovery that will drive our economy into the future."

The students are able to explore professional opportunities through conferences, field trips and research and can explore the STEM sectors of industry, academia, and government. They get to meet professionals at a variety of events with New Jersey companies such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Kenvue, Panasonic, PSEG, Stryker, and United Airlines.

They also participate in an engineering design research project "that will enhance their analytical and 21st century skills," the program said.

To qualify for GSS, applicants must have at least a 3.5 GPA, be a high school sophomore through doctoral-level student at a New Jersey-based high school or university, and demonstrate a strong passion for STEM.