EPOC at Steadman Philippon Research Institute Expands Westward, Ignites Student Passion for Science
VAIL, Colo. And BASALT, Colo. – September 23, 2025 – Scientific discovery isn’t confined to the labs of Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI). It’s sparking curiosity in classrooms across western Colorado, where a new generation of students is stepping into the world of evidence-based medicine and research—thanks to the expanding reach of SPRI’s Education and Public Outreach Committee (EPOC). Just this week, EPOC kicked off the 2025–2026 school year, welcoming a new cohort of students into its High School Science Club.
Established in 2012, EPOC provides science enrichment for students from fifth grade through high school. Since its founding, EPOC has reached more than 5,400 students, and collaborated with 38 schools across six Colorado counties. Its impact reaches students in the Vail Valley and Summit County, and now engages with students in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley, including communities like Basalt, Glenwood Springs and Carbondale. These engaging programs are designed to help encourage future careers in medicine, research and other STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields.
Held earlier this spring, the program’s annual capstone—the High School Science Club research presentations—celebrates outstanding student-led projects and honors excellence in scientific inquiry. At the 2025 ceremony, Dr. Marc J. Philippon, SPRI chairman and managing partner of The Steadman Clinic, commended the students for their evidence-based approach to science as he welcomed them prior to the student teams’ presentations.
“This program has not only introduced science to young minds across Colorado, it has inspired them to pursue their dreams and go on to make meaningful contributions to medicine and research,” said Dr. Philippon, an avid supporter of EPOC since its founding. “Understanding evidence-based medicine is key to driving innovation and improving lives. EPOC is helping students build the foundation to do just that.”
Nine student teams presented to a panel of SPRI staff, led by Dr. Thomas Clanton, renowned foot and ankle specialist and recently retired physician at The Steadman Clinic and SPRI. The Basalt Science Club made an immediate mark. One of its inaugural teams—Olivia Miernicki, Ella White, and Aurelia Tunte Stuck—earned top honors for their project, “How Cell Signaling Affects Muscle Formation: A Preliminary Model for Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.”
Joining them in top honors was Eagle Valley High School’s Luna Acosta Garcia and Maria Papadopoulos, recognized for their research on “The Effectiveness of KT Tape on the Flexor Carpi Radialis During Pitching.” Both award winners presented their research at the annual SPRI Fellows Presentations, where graduates from SPRI’s post-residency clinical fellowships and international scholars program present their research to a panel of physicians and scientists. This is the first year that EPOC students had the honor of participating in these high-level presentations and share their research to this distinguished audience.
SPRI Chief Operating Officer Lee Jones emphasized the importance of cultivating local talent when he addressed the students attending the Science Club presentations. “EPOC was started to help excite students about the STEM field and to create a pipeline,” noted Jones. “For those that grew up here and go to school here, we want them to know they can pursue world-class careers right here in their mountain communities.”
Expansion into Basalt Marks a Milestone
In 2025, EPOC reached a major milestone with its westward expansion into Aspen, Basalt and the Roaring Fork Valley, made possible by a generous gift from Soledad and Bob Hurst. The new programming hub at the Steadman Philippon Orthopaedic Center in Basalt opens doors for students to explore careers in science and medicine.
“We recently held our inaugural SPRI Summer Scholars Program in Basalt,” said Greta Gohring, Basalt laboratory operations coordinator and administrator of the Basalt/Roaring Fork Valley EPOC programs. “High School students were selected by their science teachers from across the Roaring Fork Valley to come to our center and explore everything from biomechanics and biomotion to clinical research and surgery alongside our world-class physicians.
There were 20 participants in SPRI’s first Summer Scholars Program in Basalt, 13 of whom will graduate this spring. Eleven of these students shared that the week-long program had an impact on their career path.
Glenwood Springs High School senior Ximena Penuela-Duarte shared, “I enjoyed being able to explore new areas of healthcare through presentations and hands-on experiments and games. My understanding of orthopaedics has broadened and given me a new outlook of careers that I find most applicable to me.”
Of the inaugural program, Maya Lindbloom, a senior from Roaring Fork High School, said, “I learned about many different professions and how each unique individual path is and the resources available to me to find my own path.”
With the success of this new program offering, Gohring credited Senenne Philippon, EPOC’s founder, for championing the expansion.
“We are deeply grateful to Senenne for her unwavering support of public education and outreach. Her vision and determination to push boundaries and expand access has opened doors for so many students, and it’s been truly inspiring to watch them grow, explore and thrive through this program.”
“Spark for STEM has Grown”
Senenne Philippon envisioned this impact when she launched EPOC more than a decade ago.
“In 2012, we launched EPOC to help spark an interest in STEM for Colorado students, helping to shape a future generation of scientists, physicians and medical professionals,” said Philippon. “Several of our alumni have received generous college scholarships; others are currently enrolled in medical schools and clinical programs. Many alumni have begun their professional careers in the medical and research fields, several of whom have returned to serve their communities in local hospitals, clinics and research centers. “It’s wonderful to see how an initial spark for STEM has grown for so many of our alumni.”
For further information, contact Marianne Kipp (mkipp@sprivail.org, 970/401-8734)