This summer, four Villa Duchesne students conducted intensive research with St. Louis-area professionals and professors as part of the 2102 Students and Teachers as Research Scientists Program (STARS) at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Morgan Link, Kristen Buehne, Sophie Flotron, and Mary Grojean spent six weeks with research mentors from Washington University, St. Louis University, and Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.

Kristen was specifically recognized for her work in the area of chemistry, receiving the LMI Aerospace Inc. /D3 Technologies Award for Excellence in Research for her paper, "Manganese(II) Adsorption onto Manganese(III/IV) Oxide Minerals."

The Villa Duchesne seniors were joined by more than 80 students from around the country.