SHAYA TABAR

Motivated high school student with a track record of academic excellence. Intends to develop professional work experience utilizing refined communication and time management skills.

National Merit Commended Student, National Spanish Exam Silver Medal, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society

• Community Hospital, Hospital Volunteer, 2026, Assisted staff and supported patients, visitors, and hospital operations in a clinical environment., Gained direct exposure to patient-centered care and day-to-day hospital workflow., 132 hours
• Outpatient Practice, Orthopedic Physician Shadowing, 2025, Observed outpatient orthopedic evaluations, treatment planning, and physician-patient interactions., Gained exposure to musculoskeletal assessment and clinical decision-making., 63 hours
• Outpatient Practice, Cardiology Physician Shadowing, 2025, Observed outpatient cardiology visits, diagnostic evaluation, and physician-patient communication., 50 hours
• Passaic County Community College, Emergency Medical Technician Student, 2026, Completing EMT training in patient assessment, airway management, trauma, medical emergencies, and emergency response., Expected completion: December 2026.

Outreach Coordinator — BCA Ping Pong Club

• 2024–2025
• Help run daily lunchtime club activities for BCA students.
• Organized two outreach events involving recreational table tennis with veterans.
• Supported two club bake sales and helped maintain student participation in club activities.
• Used table tennis as a means of building community among students and outreach participants.

Various Organizations, Community Service Volunteer

• Volunteered through St. Alban's Episcopal Church, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, charity concerts, science expos, veterans outreach events, and other community programs.
• Assisted with educational activities, community events, event setup, and general service work. 84 verified service hours | Approx. 3 hrs/week, 9 weeks/year

Student Researcher — Bergen County Academies

• 2025–Present
• Conduct research on multiple sclerosis and the kynurenine pathway, focusing on IDO1 signaling, immune regulation, and neuroactive metabolites.
• Culture and experimentally manipulate mammalian cell lines, including THP-1 monocytes and Jurkat T cells.
• Perform immunofluorescence microscopy, ELISA, viability assays, and experimental optimization.
• Analyze microscopy images and experimental data using CellProfiler
• Design experiments investigating the effects of microbial aromatic amino-acid metabolites on inflammatory signaling and IDO1 activity.
• Prepare scientific figures and visual materials using BioRender.

Research Intern — Chang Lab, New Jersey Medical School

• 2026–Present
• Analyze microscopy images and experimental data as part of BCA's Senior Experience program.
• Shadow senior laboratory members to learn research methods and laboratory workflows.
• Prepare to participate in wet-lab experiments and ongoing biomedical research projects.