Route to Research

This episode marks the start of something new. After a full season guiding students through every stage of research — from topic selection to publication — host Isha Jayakumar is launching a free mentorship program to help students begin their own research journeys. In Episode 12: Continuing the Journey — My New Free Mentorship Program, Isha shares the story behind the initiative, how it works, an...

You’ve done the research. You’ve written the paper. You’ve presented it. Now it’s time to ask: what’s next? In Episode 11: What’s Next? Internships, Research Programs, and Resumes, host Isha Jayakumar shares how to turn your research experience into future opportunities — from finding internships and research programs to crafting a résumé that highlights your skills and impact. You’ll learn how to...

You’ve done the research. You’ve written the paper. You’ve revised it again and again. Now what? In Episode 10: From Published to Presented — Sharing Your Research with the World, host Isha Jayakumar explores how to take your work beyond the page—from submitting to journals to presenting at competitions and conferences. You’ll learn how to: • Find the right journal and understand impact factor • R...

You’ve written your first draft—now it’s time to make it shine. In Episode 9: “The Power of Revisions”, host Isha Jayakumar dives into what separates a good research paper from a publishable one. From restructuring arguments to refining sources, this episode walks you through every step of the revision process: - How to revise for clarity, logic, and structure - What grammar and editing tools can...

Research can feel impossible when you’re already balancing AP classes, homework, clubs, and everything else on your plate. But the truth is—you don’t have to choose between school and research. In this episode of Route to Research, host Isha Jayakumar shares practical strategies for fitting research into a busy schedule, the classes that actually make you a stronger researcher, and the small habit...

How do you actually do research once you’ve picked your topic and set your goals? In this episode of Route to Research, host Isha Jayakumar breaks down the step-by-step process of moving from a broad idea to a focused project. You’ll learn how to find credible sources, identify gaps in the literature, read papers critically, and stay organized along the way. We’ll also talk about how to use AI too...

You’ve sent the cold email. You’ve found a mentor. They said yes—now what? In this episode of Route to Research, I break down how to make the most of your very first research opportunity by: Asking the right questions in your first mentor meeting Setting small, realistic goals that actually move your project forward Understanding the bigger picture behind your work Tracking progress without burnin...

Reaching out to professors, grad students, or professionals for the first time can feel intimidating—but it doesn’t have to stop you from starting your research journey. In this episode of Route to Research, Isha Jayakumar shares a step-by-step guide to finding the right person to contact, crafting a message that stands out, and avoiding the most common mistakes students make. You’ll also hear fro...

Not sure how to find a mentor for your research? You’re not alone—and the process is easier than you think once you know where to look. In this episode of Route to Research, Isha Jayakumar walks you through how to search strategically, identify the right fit, and avoid common mistakes when starting a mentorship. You’ll also hear from Soneesh Kothagundla, an aspiring surgeon and accomplished studen...

Struggling to choose your first research topic? You’re not alone—and you don’t need a perfect idea to begin. In this episode of Route to Research, Isha Jayakumar walks you through a step-by-step process to turn curiosity into a clear, actionable research question. You’ll also hear from two accomplished student researchers, Zia Raukar, a research intern at Mayo Clinic, and Tanmay Shrivastava, a res...

When you think of research, do you picture scientists in white lab coats mixing chemicals in a lab? That’s part of it—but it’s only the beginning. In this episode of Route to Research, host Isha Jayakumar breaks down five different types of research high school students can actually do—no lab coat required. From literature reviews to data-driven projects, from behavioral studies to experimental sc...

In this first episode of Route to Research, host Isha Jayakumar shares the personal story that sparked her interest in neuroscience research—and how a single “yes” changed everything. From sending over 100 cold emails to finally connecting with a mentor, this episode is about what it’s really like to take your first step into research as a high school student. Isha sits down with Mrs. Lacour, a Ph...

In this trailer, host Isha Jayakumar shares what Route to Research is all about — a student-led podcast that helps high schoolers turn big questions into real research, one step at a time. Learn what to expect each episode: how to pick a topic, find mentors, write cold emails, plan your project, stay consistent, and even get published. Because every big discovery starts with one small question — a...