Molecular Biology Program | Empowering Future Scientists

Empowering Tomorrow’s Scientists

The Mary Lynn and Fred H. Gage Molecular Biology Program

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The most meaningful educational opportunities often begin with the generosity of those who believe in a school's future. At St. Stephen's, the Mary Lynn & Fred Gage Molecular Biology Program is one such example.

Established in 2018 through a transformative gift from Mary Lynn and Fred H. "Rusty" Gage (Class of 1968), the program reflects the enduring connection between St. Stephen's and its alumni. Their support has enabled students to engage in scientific inquiry rarely available at the secondary school level, opening the door to experiences typically reserved for university laboratories.

Developed in collaboration with Adamas Scienza and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Europe's flagship life sciences research institution, the program introduces students to contemporary molecular biology through authentic laboratory research. Using professional scientific equipment and university-level protocols, students investigate the molecular mechanisms that underpin life itself, exploring how genetic information is stored, expressed, and manipulated, and how advances in biotechnology are transforming medicine, healthcare, agriculture, and scientific research.

Over the past several decades, breakthroughs in recombinant DNA technology, gene expression, and genetic engineering have revolutionized our understanding of disease, leading to new treatments for conditions such as cancer and diabetes while driving innovation across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and food science. Through the Gage Program, students engage directly with these same techniques, gaining firsthand experience with the tools and methodologies that define modern biological research.

Working as scientists, students:

clone fragments of DNA into vectors to create recombinant DNA plasmids, transform bacterial cells, and analyze their results using polymerase chain reaction (PCR);
observe the expression of recombinant genes through fluorescent proteins, bringing complex molecular processes to life while developing a sophisticated understanding of experimental design and data analysis;
and formulate hypotheses, design experiments, analyze data, interpret results, and communicate their findings using the same rigorous methodologies employed in research laboratories around the world.

Along the way, our students strengthen critical thinking, collaboration, scientific communication, and inquiry-based learning skills that prepare them for university study and future careers in medicine, genetics, biotechnology, and biomedical research.

The Mary Lynn & Fred Gage Molecular Biology Program exemplifies what is possible when alumni invest in the next generation. Thanks to the generosity of one former student and his family, St. Stephen's students have access to an extraordinary educational experience that bridges secondary education and world-class scientific research, demonstrating the lasting impact of philanthropy on teaching, learning, and the future of science.

To read more about Fred "Rusty" Gage, see our Alumni Spotlight Interview.

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