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The Chicago White Sox retired the first two batters in the top of the seventh Friday against the Detroit Tigers.A lot happened before they got the final out of the inning.AdvertisementThe Tigers scored four runs in the frame on the way to beating the Sox 7-5 in front of 29,215 at Guaranteed Rate Field.The score was tied at 2 when the seventh began. But the Tigers got four hits and two walks in the process of scoring the four runs and then held off a late comeback attempt from the Sox.Advertisement“I’ve got to give us a better chance there,” Sox starter Lucas Giolito said. “I was doing well and then I put us right in a hole that our offense had to try to climb out of. And they gave it a hell of a shot.“But I can’t let that get out of hand. I did.”Giolito allowed five runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and two walks in 6⅔ innings.“It was good and then it was really bad,” Giolito said.The home woes continue for the Sox, who have lost four of five on the homestand.“We just have to keep grinding, keep coming to the ballpark trying to get better every day,” Sox shortstop Tim Anderson said. “Keep trying to be good teammates. Just keep working hard and hopefully that brings wins. We understand we are in a tough stretch but it’s part of the game. So we just have to keep grinding it out and keep working.”Anderson, voted the starting shortstop for the American League for the All-Star Game earlier in the day, had two hits. He singled and scored on Luis Robert’s two-run homer in the first.Giolito allowed one hit through the first five innings. Spencer Torkelson drew a walk to begin the sixth. Jeimer Candelario followed with a home run to right, tying the score at 2.Advertisement“The homer, just left the changeup up,” Giolito said. “I’m really (ticked) off about that inning is the walk and then the next inning the same thing, walk comes back to hurt me.”After getting the first two outs of the seventh, Giolito allowed a single to Jonathan Schoop. Torkelson walked and Candelario gave the Tigers the lead with a single to right.“Did he get the first two outs? Did he pitch a hell of a game?” Sox manager Tony La Russa said when asked about the seventh. “He gives up a base hit, tough walk on 3-2 and I make a decision that he’s earned a right to get that last out. He got him out the first time. Second time, a home run. That’s the process.“He’s the guy that I thought earned that right to get that out, and I was confident he would.”Joe Kelly replaced Giolito and gave up an RBI single to Willi Castro. Javier Báez added a two-run double, making it 6-2. The crowd booed as the Tigers built their lead.Tigers shortstop Javier Baez celebrates after hitting a two-run double during the seventh inning against the White Sox on Friday at Guaranted Rate Field. (Paul Beaty/AP)“He’s a real asset and they’re working on it, he’s working on it, he’ll be something special for us,” La Russa said of Kelly, who has a 9.95 ERA.AdvertisementMiscommunication in the outfield between the Robert and Adam Engel led to another Tigers two-out run in the eighth. The center fielder Robert was charged with an error after not catching Torkelson’s fly to right-center. A run scored, making it 7-2.“If you ask him, he’ll say he should have caught it, but it wasn’t a routine play,” La Russa said. “Those guys are converging, so it could be a little distracting.”The Sox staged a two-out rally in the bottom of the inning. Eloy Jiménez had an RBI single. Gavin Sheets hit a grounder to first that Torkelson couldn’t cleanly field. A run scored on what was ruled a hit. Seby Zavala’s RBI single made it 7-5.Andrew Vaughn, who didn’t start for the second consecutive game after recovering from an illness, pinch hit for Leury García representing the go-ahead run, but Tyler Alexander struck him out to end the inning.“He was ready,” La Russa said. “First (pitch) was a nasty strike and then he missed one and he chased one. But had the right guy up there. Had the right guy up in the ninth inning too, right guys.”Anderson got hit by a pitch with one out in the ninth and Pollock singled. Robert struck out and José Abreu flied out to right as the rally fell short.AdvertisementTigers closer Michael Fulmer, left, celebrates with catcher Eric Haase after the Tigers defeated the White Sox 7-5 on Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Paul Beaty/AP)“Everybody is all in,” Anderson said. “We understand what we are trying to do. Just got to go out and be better and keep working. Hopefully that brings wins.”

ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 38Chicago Sky players Courtney Vandersloot, left, and Allie Quigley walk the orange carpet Friday during WNBA All-Star weekend in Chicago. (Quinn Harris / Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES — At this time next month Willson Contreras might be wearing a different major-league uniform.If he has his way, though, the Chicago Cubs catcher won’t be going anywhere. Thirteen years after signing with the organization as a teenager from Venezuela, Contreras is a three-time All-Star. Fans voted Contreras as the National League starting catcher for the Midsummer Classis on July 19 at Dodger Stadium.AdvertisementA grateful Contreras was in disbelief Friday afternoon, minutes after manager David Ross announced the news in the clubhouse. Contreras said he works every year to make an All-Star team. This marks his third All-Star Game start, making him only the second Cubs catcher to accomplish the feat, joining Gabby Hartnett (1934, 1936-37).“This means everything to me, being here 13 years,” Contreras said. “I’m really thankful and proud of everything that I’ve done here.”AdvertisementContreras has remained diplomatic and transparent since spring training about his future with the Cubs. An impending free agent, Contreras saw what happened with his 2016 World Series teammates a year ago at the trade deadline. Contreras frequently has discussed his approach to take the season day by day and not look too far ahead. But he understands that without the sides reaching a contract extension before the Aug. 2 trade deadline, his time in Chicago is likely nearing its end.Cubs catcher Willson Contreras yells after hitting a grand slam during the first inning against the Pirates on May 16, 2022, at Wrigley Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)It makes this All-Star Game, possibly a last hurrah with the Cubs, extra meaningful.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.“I hope this is not my last time wearing the Cubs jersey to be honest,” Contreras said. “I don’t see myself going anywhere else, but this is business and we will have to understand the business now. If the Cubs can get a really good package for myself, they’re going to do it. If they don’t do it, I’ll be more than thankful and proud to stay here with the Cubs and my teammates.“But as of right now, I don’t see myself wearing another uniform.”Contreras, 30, has made his desire for his baseball future clear.“I would love nothing more than play for the Chicago Cubs the rest of my life,” Contreras said. “Obviously those kind of things are out of my control, but I’m really excited and proud and humbled to be a Chicago Cub.”However, barring contract talks over the next 3½ weeks leading to a long-term deal, Contreras will not be a lifelong Cub. Fans will be forced to watch another All-Star and World Series champion depart as the organization rebuilds and overhauls a roster that delivered five postseason appearances in six years. Contreras is seemingly willing to stick through what is positioned to be a challenging stretch for the organization.For now, he is trying to stay in the moment.Advertisement“It’s overwhelming for sure, I have a lot of things in my head right now,” Contreras said. “I’m really proud of everything.”

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association anchors its collective action in the 144 players represented by the union. But what happens when the 144 are missing one?Nearly five months after her arrest in Russia, Brittney Griner’s absence leaves a gaping hole in every aspect of this WNBA season. The All-Star Game in Chicago this weekend was the latest event marked by the international struggle to return Griner to the U.S.AdvertisementIn a somber news conference Friday to commence All-Star weekend, Rev. Al Sharpton joined Griner’s wife, Cherelle, and WNBPA leaders Nneka Ogwumike, Sue Bird and Terri Jackson to highlight the qualities they believe make Griner’s return to the U.S. essential — her humanity, courage and identity as an American.“Bring Brittney home,” Sharpton said. “Bring her home to her wife. We are going to stand with her until you do. … We know the tension between nations. We know there’s conflict going on. But we also know there ought to be a place where conflict stops and where the politics stop and the international rivalries stop and say some people operate above that and because they have, we will operate on a humanitarian level.”AdvertisementThe event marked a sharp turn in the tone set by Griner’s family and the WNBPA as Griner nears five months of detainment.Cherelle Griner talks about her wife, WNBA player Brittney Griner, who has been jailed in Russia for more than 140 days, during a news conference Friday in Chicago during WNBA All-Star weekend. Listening in at right is Rev. Al Sharpton. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Cherelle said she felt zero trust in the U.S. government only weeks ago after the State Department bungled a phone call coordinated with the Russian government. But the group placed trust in the Biden administration Friday.“I want to make it very clear that our next move as supporters for (Brittney Griner) is to make sure that the administration understands that they have our full support and are doing any and everything necessary to be able to bring (her) home as well as every other wrongfully detained American,” Cherelle Griner said.Cherelle — who was dressed in mourning black, the only appearance of color coming from the orange “We are BG” on her blouse — reflected a newfound hope in the administration’s ability to maneuver Griner’s return from Russia.Griner, 31, sent a handwritten letter to Biden from her cell this week, begging the president to not forget her amid other political turmoil in the U.S. Since then, Biden and vice president Kamala Harris met with Cherelle and wrote a letter to Griner in return.“(President Biden) understood and he sees her as a person,” Cherelle said. “He has not forgotten her, which was her biggest cry in her letter. So I’m grateful. And I’m thankful that the administration that was the first one that BG ever voted for, took the time to see her as a person to see what she’s going through and speak to me directly and let me know that they are exhausting all efforts to bring her home.”In a plea to overlook politics and party lines, Sharpton and WNBPA representatives stressed Griner’s common humanity.Sharpton painted a picture of distress, describing Griner being transported to court in vehicles too small for her 6-foot-9 frame, unable to speak to her wife or loved ones and being far away from home where the people she encounters do not speak English. Ogwumike and Bird shared memories of Griner as a teammate, friend and loved one to players throughout the league.AdvertisementRev. Al Sharpton, second from left, talks at a news conference Friday in Chicago to advocate for the return of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who has been jailed in Russa for nearly five months. Griner’s wife, Cherelle, right, also spoke. The WNBA All-Star Game is Sunday at Wintrust Arena. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)“What America needs to understand is that she is you too,” Ogwumike said. “She is the fun aunt. She is the wife who encourages her spouse to thrive. She is the daughter who celebrates her dad’s service on the Fourth. She is the kid who was bullied and a role model who stands up for those kids now. She is kind and she is all of ours. … We’re so lucky to know her. If you don’t know her, you need to. She is resilient, kind and Brittney Griner is an American.”Griner entered a guilty plea Thursday in the next step of her trial — likely as a step to facilitate future action by the U.S. government — which is currently set to conclude in August. Sharpton called Griner a “champion” for taking responsibility with this action, adding hope that Russian courts would recognize the time she already has served and forego further jail time. But some reports predict Griner could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.Sharpton said he reached out to the Russian Orthodox church in the hopes of traveling to Russia to pray with Griner, but he focused on a higher goal — meeting with the WNBA star when she’s safely returned to U.S. soil.In the meantime, WNBA players, coaches and fans will continue to highlight Griner’s absence and advocate for her return throughout All-Star weekend and the conclusion of the season.“Brittney Griner is an American hero,” Ogwumike said. “She’s ours and she’s yours and we must get her home. She looks like us. She is us. Our 144 have always stood together as sisters and an allyship. It’s part of our DNA as team sport athletes and as women who have often been undervalued and who must move together to be seen.”

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association anchors its collective action in the 144 players represented by the union. But what happens when the 144 are missing…

You would think the Chicago Blackhawks had accidently selected fictional race car driver Ricky Bobby among their Day 2 haul at the NHL draft in Montreal.Certainly first-rounders Kevin Korchinski, Frank Nazar and Sam Rinzel have a sense of self-worth, but the boys from the second and third rounds woke up with a sense of their own “excellence,” to borrow from Bobby.Advertisement“I probably have the best motor in the draft. I bring it every night,” second-round center Paul Ludwinski said. “I know they won’t be disappointed.“Defensive-wise, I’m perfect, pretty well. The only thing I need to work on is patience with the puck in the offensive zone. I play with a high motor, so I go 200 mph all the time.”AdvertisementThird-round wing Gavin Hayes not only welcomes comparisons to the Winnipeg Jets’ Blake Wheeler, he notes he has “more skill than him, but (I) need to play the body more like him.”“Confident group,” Hawks amateur scouting director Mike Doneghey said with a knowing smirk. “You give them credit — they’re (18), they’re still immature, they see what they see. And they all have players that they aspire to be like. You guys are getting them two minutes after they’re picked.“Blake Wheeler? Great? We’d take that with the first pick in the third-round all day. You need confidence, right? To get to this level you need confidence in your abilities.”[ [Don’t miss] Chicago Blackhawks trade Alex DeBrincat and Kirby Dach, then select 3 first-rounders in the NHL draft ][ [Don’t miss] Column: The Chicago Blackhawks may look unrecognizable next season without Alex DeBrincat — but will it be worth it? ]Doneghey had full confidence in the slew of prospects the Hawks collected in two days of the draft — eight on Day 2 and 11 total — even though the team drew criticism after trading All-Star Alex DeBrincat and Kirby Dach to accomplish it.“(The Athletic’s) Scott Wheeler said I did good, he said we vastly improved (the pipeline).” Doneghey joked. “No, I think we did well. … Huge strides.”The Hawks spent all Day 2 picks on forwards, including five centers, one of their priorities. And they targeted players with speed after making a point to draft “puck friendly” defensemen on Day 1.“We’ve certainly gotten a lot faster, we got very competitive,” Doneghey said. “But yes, centers and defensemen (were the focus).“Prior to (associate general manager and former Cubs executive) Jeff Greenberg coming aboard, (we knew) you build down the middle, just like baseball — catcher, pitcher, shortstop, middle outfield. … You can move center fielders out to right field, you can move shortstops to second, whatever it may be.Advertisement“Centers, defensemen and eventually (goalies). Hopefully (Drew) Commesso follows through, (Arvid) Söderblom follows through, (or) maybe there’s a high-end goalie over the next few years that we step up for.”Meanwhile, the Hawks traded a 2022 third-round pick (No. 94), to the Arizona Coyotes for a 2023 third-round pick. The Coyotes took defenseman Jérémy Langlois.The Hawks also acquired center Liam Gorman from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a sixth-round pick (defenseman Nolan Collins) and swapped a 2023 sixth-rounder for the Carolina Hurricanes’ sixth-rounder in this year’s draft, which the Hawks spent on forward Nils Juntorp.Here’s a rundown of the Hawks’ 11 picks.Kevin Korchinski and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman shake hands after the Blackhawks selected Korchinsky with the No. 7 pick in the NHL draft on Thursday in Montreal. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)Drafted: First round, No. 7 (part of Alex DeBrincat trade to the Ottawa Senators)By the numbers: 18 years old, 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, left shot; four goals and 61 assists, which ranked second among WHL defensemen.AdvertisementNHL Central Scouting: “A high-end offensive defenseman who is very skilled.” … His father, Larry Korchinski, played forward for the Saskatoon Blades.Korchinski says: “I love to join the rush. I love to create offensively, and I do that by using my feet, using my puck skills, my passing ability.… My dad, big Blackhawks fan, so I kind of hopped on the bandwagon as a kid. He was a big Jonathan Toews fan, he loved how he played a complete 200-foot game. And I was a Patrick Kane fan because I liked the flashiness. .. Shea Theodore is someone I compare myself to. … His defensive game improved so much under (Seattle Thunderbirds coach Matt O’Dette)”Doneghey says: “He’s an unbelievable playmaker with the puck. … Different than a lot of the defensemen we’ve drafted in the last few years. He’s really puck-friendly. He’ll be a first-unit power play guy, he projects to be a first-pairing defenseman, can eat minutes”Frank Nazar puts on a Blackhawks sweater after being selected with the 13th pick in the NHL draft Thursday in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/AP)Drafted: First round, No. 13 (part of the Kirby Dach trade to the Montreal Canadiens via the New York Islanders)By the numbers: 18, 5-10 and 175 pounds, right shot; 28 goals and 42 assists in 56 games for U18.NHL Central Scouting: “A consistent scoring threat who moves well laterally when carrying the puck and is hard to contain. … Makes very good decisions.”AdvertisementNazar says: “I like to say I play a little bit like Brayden Point, and obviously I’m not the complete player as him, but that’s why you’ve got to work. … The speed and being able to score and get in those open areas. … The team I wanted to go to was a team that’s kind of rebuilding and wants more younger guys to get in there.”Doneghey says: “Easy player to like. You’ve heard me say, ‘Speed, speed, speed.’ He can absolutely fly. … He makes quick plays under pressure. He’s not afraid to drive the middle of the ice on the rush, bring people with him and then bounce the puck out left or right. … Character, again, through the roof. Checks a lot of boxes that way. Leadership material.”Sam Rinzel puts on a Blackhawks sweater after being selected with the No. 25 pick in the NHL draft on Thursday in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz / AP)Drafted: First round, No. 25 (part of the Petr Mrázek package from the Toronto Maple Leafs)By the numbers: 18, 6-4 and 177 pounds, right shot; two goals and 8 assists in 21 games for the USHL Waterloo Black Hawks.Rinzel says: “I couldn’t believe it. I had a little bit of a feeling that I think that was the team that had the most interest in me, but I never knew. … I think I’m a two-way defenseman who can get up and down the ice. I’m tall and lanky but I think I’m a very good skater.”Doneghey says: “We watched Sam in every venue. …. There was so much to like because of his frame and his skating ability is smooth and high-end. He needs to put on some weight. … He’s more on the longer path. He’ll play in Waterloo this year then he’ll go to (the University of) Minnesota. … There’s just so much to mold with him, but the pieces are there.”AdvertisementPaul Ludwinski walks toward the podium after the Blackhawks selected him in the second round of the NHL draft Friday in Montreal. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)Drafted: Second round, No. 39 (part of the DeBrincat trade)By the numbers: 18, 5-11 and 176 pounds; 16 goals and 27 assists in 67 games.Ludwinski says: “My younger self, I would be in tears if this is where he saw me. …I’m probably the most (versatile) in the draft. I’m kind of like Yanni Gourde — I can play third-line center or first-line wing. I’ve shown that throughout the season.”Doneghey says: “Paul is a two-way centerman, was on Shane Wright’s team, he was the third-line center in that group. They bumped him up to wing quite a bit if they felt they needed to get Shane going a little bit. He’s got some snarl to his game inside. … Very good on the penalty kill. … Oozes character. He’s got that look in his eyes, like, you win with those type of guys.”Ryan Greene is congratulated after the Blackhawks selected him in the second round of the NHL draft Friday in Montreal. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)Drafted: Second round, No. 57 (pick acquired from the Marc-André Fleury trade to the Minnesota Wild)By the numbers: 18, 6-1 and 174 pounds, right shot; career highs in games played (59), goals (19), assists (32) in third season.AdvertisementNHL Central Scouting: “A solid skater with good speed and quickness. … Strong in contact areas and protects the puck well. Solid net-front presence. Plays with a lot of passion. … Plays like Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie.”Doneghey says: “We talked about centers, speed down the middle. Lot of value with a right-shot center. I don’t want to say he’s playing the long game like Sam Rinzel is, but he’s got to get a little stronger physically, but he’s got the frame to carry it a little bit more. Skating’s really strong. … Competitive character.”Gavin Hayes smiles after the Blackhawks selected him in the third round of the NHL draft on Friday in Montreal. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)Drafted: Third round, No. 66 (part of the Dach trade)By the numbers: 18, 6-1 and 177 pounds, right shot; 19 goals and 30 assists in 65 gamesHayes said: “I’m a smart player, 200 foot, good without the puck. Also my shot is key. … I got related to Blake Wheeler. More skill than him but (I) need to play the body more like him.”Doneghey says: “This year in Flint, (he) didn’t get a lot of opportunity early, had to keep proving himself night after night. … (Coach) Teddy (Dent) made him earn his stripes and it didn’t go great for Gavin, (but) he wasn’t knocking on coaches’ doors, he took it upon himself to figure it out. … He’s got sneaky skill. He can shoot a puck.”AdvertisementSamuel Savoie smiles after the Blackhawks selected him in the third round of the NHL draft on Friday in Montreal. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)Drafted: Third round, No. 81 By the numbers: 18, 5-9 and 189 pounds, left shot; 18 goals and 15 assists in 64 games.Savoie says: “I describe my game as a two-way forward that plays good (offensively) but also defensive. Also, I think I play with an edge. I’m a competitor. … I try to model my game after a bit of Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett. I think I get the edge of Brad Marchand, the little hits … But also the way Sam Bennett plays, the way he pursues the puck, he’s relentless.”Doneghey says: “Just a ball of energy. Thick, big motor. … Like a Yanni Gourde-type player. That’s just speed, speed, relentless. Just gets after it”.Drafted: Third round, No. 90 (pick acquired in the Nikita Zadorov trade to the Calgary Flames)By the numbers: 20, 5-11 and 181 pounds, left shot; an alternate captain who led the Stars in assists (58) and points (82) in 57 games.AdvertisementDoneghey says: “Coaches in the (USHL) think he was the fastest skater as a center. Had a ton of points this year. … We really like that he’s going to (the University of) Denver, we have a good relationship with (coach) David Carle. He’s going to get a lot of opportunity there.”Drafted: Sixth round, No. 173 (acquired in the Seth Jones trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets)By the numbers: 20, 5-11 and 165 pounds, left shot; six goals and 12 assistsDoneghey says: “(Associate GM) Norm Maciver saw him a lot. Norm lived in Duluth up until getting this position, so he was able to see Dominic quite a bit. …. Feisty, competitive, north-south winger, has an inside game.”Drafted: Sixth round, No. 188 (pick acquired by trading 2023 sixth-round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes)By the numbers: 18, 6-1 and 185 pounds, right shot; 17 goals and 24 assists, according to eliteprospects.comAdvertisementDoneghey says: “(Hawks European scouting staff) Mats Hallin and Nik Blomgren really like this guy. Speed is his whole game. He’s an up-down winger. … Fast on the forecheck.”Drafted: Seventh round, No. 199 By the numbers: 18, 6-8 and 190 pounds, right shot; seven goals and eight assists in 41 gamesDoneghey says: “Never seen him play, but our Finnish scout, Mikko Luoma (has). … He’s a right-shot center who can skate. … Small-town kid, very naive, very behind the curve, but (we like) the value of the skating, obviously the size, and I respect what Mikko’s thoughts are.”AdvertisementChicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.Advertisement

Nora Sun, 17, does science internships like hobbies — intensely and frequently. Research, writing, computational drug design and queer literature are all interests. A glimpse at her LinkedIn page finds that during the pandemic, the Walter Payton College Prep High School student researched inflammatory bowel disease mutations at the University of Illinois at Chicago and is currently researching DNA polymerase inhibitors with the University of Texas at Dallas.AdvertisementIf that’s not enough to have you crying over your wasted youth, Sun, at the age of 14, founded Envision, an annual international research competition for female, genderqueer and nonbinary high school students interested in science, technology, engineering and math fields. The competition invites students to write a formal research proposal to win monetary awards. The competition allows students practice in formal scientific proposal writing, collaboration and literature review (looking through published scientific literature to gain insights which may support proposals).“In middle school and early high school, I participated in a lot of science research competitions. I tried to do some research on my own. And I wasn’t always successful, but I realized that I really loved it,” Sun said. “At the beginning of high school, I became aware that there were a lot of gender disparities in academia. Something else I learned: research is very important for a scientific career. You need publications, research experience to get opportunities which help build your academic career. And there is a dearth of these opportunities for girls. I felt if I created this competition, it would encourage more girls to start practicing writing proposals and hopefully that can lead more to be interested in research or at least get practice in writing a research proposal.”AdvertisementSince founding Envision in 2019 and serving as executive director, 328 female or genderqueer students have entered the competition, awarded $1,600 to youth, and recruited hundreds of judges — 65% of whom are postdoctoral scholars or faculty from Ivy League institutions that select winners and provide detailed feedback and constructive criticism on all entries. The review of their work by STEM professionals opens up dialogue for mentorship/internship opportunities and further conversation.Sun’s STEM and research passions have grown from Envision to the creation of other nonprofits centered on underrepresented high school students and increasing cognitive diversity in science fields. The Talaria Summer Institute she founded is a free, international mentorship program and ATHENA by Women In STEM is an endeavor she cofounded — both aid in youth pursuing STEM. Talaria Summer Institute pairs ATHENA members with a mentor to conduct a monthlong independent research project every July. As for Envision, Sun said she took a lot of inspiration from grant application processes for scientists. It’s through proposal writing that scientists apply for grants and get money to conduct research.“That’s the skill set I wanted participants to learn,” Sun said. “I thought it would be best for the judges, since our judges are professors who write lots of grants. In terms of what the competition entails, I really wanted to help kids understand the factors that made a good proposal. I hope the competition emphasizes the need to identify a gap that affects a lot of people or affects some people very deeply.”Sun said she hopes competitors’ curiosity is sparked enough to pursue their project in a lab setting — possibly taking their idea to one of the professors who served as judge, since their contact information is shared. If they can’t find a connection through that channel or find someone locally who does similar research, Talaria attempts to provide that connection.Athena Scarlett Krikorian, 17, a Los Angeles resident, is looking forward to a career in dermatology to focus on skin cancer research. She competed in the Envision proposal competition in 2021 with a pitch that combined her passion over climate change issues impacting skin globally. Through Talaria, Scarlett Krikorian was partnered with a professor from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts to do further research over the summer. Sara Yousaf, an 11th grader in Toronto, won the 2021 Envision competition with a proposal on developing a 3D tissue model of the blood brain barrier for drug testing and disease modeling.Jasmine Lunia, a Dallas native, competed in Envision’s research proposal competition for the last three years. The soon to be Wellesley College freshman said she wanted to use her free time during the pandemic to get more involved in science. She’s written proposals on epidemiology, forensic anthropology and a new assessment to diagnose autism spectrum disorders. She’s looking into a career in scientific research.“I really wish there were more opportunities like this, not just for women, but really, for anyone who wants to get into scientific research,” Lunia said.Notre Dame High School, San Jose students Sumayyah Ismail and Anchal Bhardwaj competed as a team for the Envision contest in 2020. The pair has since won other science competitions after developing their Envision idea past the contest. Envision was the launching pad for the project that they submitted to a California science fair.Advertisement“Envision is unique because it targets a certain audience and it makes sure that you get actual, substantial feedback on your work — those two things we were unable to find anywhere else which is why we decided to participate,” Bhardwaj said. Their proposal focused using convolutional networks to classify schizophrenia, connecting Bhardwaj’s computer science interest with Ismail’s neuroscience interest. “It was basically trying to figure out, previous methods that were being used in the industry? New methods that are being researched? And how can we connect technology to this?” Bhardwaj said.Ismail said one of their goals is to get their proposal and project published in a peer reviewed journal. They are looking forward to the next Envision science proposal competition with another idea.“One of the things that really fascinated me about all the entries is that they had no limitations for innovation — no financial or experimental boundaries,” said Ananthanarayanan Kumar, a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University studying RNA structures in humans. He has served as an Envision judge for two years. “All the projects are very innovative. In the process, students learn a lot of skills that they don’t realize they’re learning, such as how to bring an idea from scratch to execution and how to be persuasive with objective reasoning — that really helps them in the long term.”One standout proposal entry for Kumar: Use of anaerobic digesters to biodegrade food waste in homes. A student designed a bioreactor that can be connected to a waste tube in the kitchen and thought about the engineering aspects of where to place the compressor. Judging criteria includes the significance of the project, feasibility and the approach students take. “At this stage students have nothing stopping them … as long as the idea is concrete, I’m very excited to encourage them,” he said.Chitvan Mittal, a research associate at Cornell University, has been a judge for two years. The proposals that catch her eye focus on challenges participants are trying to address, relevant topics in today’s society.“These high school students are fearless,” she said. “They all seem to tackle the bottlenecks and the challenges that no one else tends to think about. I love that.”AdvertisementKumar thinks the program can introduce students to potential STEM role models. Mittal agreed. As a woman of color, Mittal tries to encourage as many youths as she can when it comes to STEM. “They need to be able to see what’s possible out there,” she said. “The more we talk to them so they can see the opportunities, see it as this is something that I can explore, that’s all that matters.”Yale postdoc Avisek Banerjee looks forward to talking with Envision participants. Be it offering help about future plans in STEM or steps one should consider in college, he’s there for it.“How to write scientifically has never been taught directly and it’s one of the key sources of success in academia,” Banerjee said. “The uniqueness of Envision is that just with participation, the student gets a lot of experience … with their idea of how to write science. In the long term, it will be very beneficial.”When approached by Sun to serve as a judge, Mittal, who focuses on cancer genetics, immediately said yes.“I’ve been trying to mentor as many young scientists in the making as possible,” she said. “I plan to do this as many times as I can … to help as many kids as possible. I’m so glad that Nora and her team has been doing this consistently.”Sun is on a trajectory to pursue a Ph.D. in cellular biology or biochemistry. The West Loop resident said she wants to study drug design to try to improve computational methods to shorten the research and development process and drastically cut the cost of medications.AdvertisementNora Sun, center, with classmates at Walter Payton College Prep on June 13, 2022, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)“I hope that after doing this competition and reading judges’ feedback, they understand the research ideation proposal process a bit better, or they’re more interested in learning more about it,” Sun said.Abigail Wilberding, an AP seminar teacher at Payton College Prep, considers Sun one of the most passionate students she has ever taught; a total powerhouse with relentless dedication and curiosity. A born researcher and storyteller, Wilberding says Sun writes scientific studies like they are homework assignments.“She is one of those remarkable human beings who’s passionate about what she does, and has an interest and follows it to such a degree that she is transforming spaces, transforming the world, transforming her school and it’s every day for her,” Wilberding said. “She marries storytelling and science. So it’s no shock that this project has been so successful. She has this intensity and this relentless faith in the projects that she creates and the projects that she leads to bring her voice and her sense of self into the world and into the world of science in really meaningful ways.”In an AP seminar paper, Sun wrote science blends with imagination in her head and her ideas live harmoniously among her stories. The last line of the paper for Wilberding’s class: “Santa Claus was born from imagination, and if you can make an argument for your imagination … well, that’s called science.”The Envision research proposal competition will close the application process late fall/early winter, with winners announced in the spring of 2023.drockett@chicagotribune.com

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