How do people with albinism get treated in other cultures? Why does sickle cell disease primarily affect people of color? What do emerging technologies like CRISPR teach us about the powers and pitfalls of the human imagination?

These questions and others were asked and answered over several weeks in March as freshmen worked in small groups on their FIRE spring projects. Groups were organized based on student selections of genetic diseases that interested them.

After completing primary science research, students were then asked to consider broader ethical implications relating to their studies in World History I. Considerations of libertarianism, utilitarianism, and John Rawls' theory of justice mingled with students' particular concerns about diseases like ALS, achondroplasia (dwarfism), and cystic fibrosis.

Meanwhile, students were also reading Mary Shelley’s famous novel Frankenstein, which offers a timeless take on the human desire to conquer disease and achieve immortality.

Check out the selections below from just a few of the students' excellent podcasts.

Ana Balshi, Lucia Cinquino, and Heidi Ritenour on Cystic Fibrosis

Alicia Gordon, Joey Oltman, Logan Bauer, and India Debbage on Achondroplasia

Megan Dadio, Mathew Hernandez, Sebastian Malaver, and Dhwaith Shyamkumar on Parkinson’s, ALS, and ALD (Part 1 and Part 2)

Krish Gupta, Emma Derby, Aman Desai, Izzy Tran, and Bianca Matos on Thalassemia and Sickle cell disease (Part 1 and Part 2)

Alizeh Ali, Katie Lu, and Katie Russell (Part 1 and Part 2)

Next up in May for the Class of 2024 are a fascinating Climate Summit Simulation Game (designed by MIT) followed by the Final FIRE Independent Research Project. Though students have the power to pursue their particular research interests, this year’s closing theme will focus on sustainability. No doubt we’ll see some more wonderful projects before year’s end!