Our School

Amber Wojenski '25 is stepping into the shoes of a seasoned college student by conducting a year-long literature review on enkephalins, a type of natural opioid found in the human body. Her research focuses on understanding what enkephalins do, their discovery, and how they interact with the body’s natural clock. Amber is collaborating closely with her science teacher, Dr. Chris Ciarleglio '00 to deepen her knowledge and refine her research. This project is providing her with valuable experience in scientific inquiry and research methodology.

This year-long independent study will culminate in a thorough research paper citing the findings of numerous primary sources. “It’s really important to know what research is actually like,” said Amber. “It’s not just doing a one-day experiment and writing up your findings. It is a process that takes a lot of time and planning.”  

While many researchers agree on the primary role of enkephalins as the brain's natural painkillers, similar to endorphins, Amber is focusing on the less understood role of the neuropeptide in circadian rhythms, one of Dr. Ciarleglio's areas of research. "Living things are really good at reusing molecules for different purposes; Amber is trying to understand why enkephalin seems to have such a profound effect on the natural daily rhythm, and how it interacts with other signaling molecules," said Dr. Ciar. Enkephalins are not just great pain killers, they regulate digestion, stress, and memory, to name a few. Amber has been fascinated by the complexity of such simple molecules and the numerous ways they influence bodily functions.

“The more I break it down, the more I start to understand, and yet I end up with many more questions. It is exciting. It makes me want to keep researching.”