Thirty high school students from 18 communities across Florida arrived in Tampa last week for the 鈥檚 2026 , an immersive educational experience for young learners curious about viruses and careers in science.
Hosted July 20-24 by the GVN with the support of and USF Youth Experiences, the five-day program offered students a glimpse of what it feels like to be part of the scientific community while exploring the importance of virology and its role in global public health.
Throughout the week, participants moved between research laboratories, hospitals and public health agencies, experiencing firsthand how discoveries move from the laboratory to the clinic and ultimately to the communities they serve. The group visited the , a GVN Center of Excellence; Tampa General Hospital鈥檚 microbiology labs; the Florida Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Tampa Branch; and the. Along the way, they met scientists, physicians and public health professionals whose work often happens behind the scenes but plays a vital role in protecting communities.
Students learned how outbreaks unfold, the role of vaccines, how mosquitoes spread disease and the critical part virologists play in global public health. One popular session involved an outbreak simulation where attendees debated and deliberated on the difficult decisions that public health leaders must make in times of crisis. Another focused on how information spreads online and the responsibility scientists and communicators share in building public trust. Students also learned about mosquito and animal research, explored laboratories and listened as investigators described the questions that keep them searching for answers every day.
For many participants, those moments changed how they viewed science and provided their first in-depth introduction to paths in research, epidemiology, biotechnology, public health and science communication.
Dr. Robert Gallo encouraged students to always be curious and embrace difficult questions
"This camp confirmed for me that this is the kind of space I want to be in," one student wrote. Another said the program helped them realize that infectious disease physicians can play important roles not only in patient care but also in public health and policy.
One of the week's highlights was spending time with GVN co-founder and ITVI founding director , whose discoveries helped define modern virology. Discussing scientific breakthroughs, he offered the students a message of encouragement, imploring them to always remain curious and embrace difficult questions because scientific discovery depends on persistence and collaboration.
"The world will always face new viruses," Dr. Gallo said. "The question is whether enough people understand them. If this program inspires even a few students to pursue science or public health, we've accomplished something important. Every participant left better prepared to understand the challenges we'll face together."
One student described the visit to the Florida Bureau of Public Health Laboratories as eye-opening, revealing how quickly a quiet laboratory can become the center of a public health response. Another said what stood out most was the welcoming scientific community they encountered.
USF President Moez Limayem and GVN CEO Matthew Evins with student at graduation ceremony
The program concluded with a graduation ceremony attended by USF President Moez Limayem, PhD, who joined GVN CEO in presenting graduation certificates to each participant before speaking with many of the students about their interests, future college plans and career aspirations.
鈥淲hat struck me most was not just how bright these students are, but how genuinely excited they were to learn,鈥 President Limayem said. 鈥淭heir curiosity was infectious, and every conversation reflected a desire to ask questions, explore new ideas and make a difference. Programs like Global Guardians help young people discover what's possible, and that's exactly why our partnership with the Global Virus Network is so meaningful.鈥
Students say they left with a broader understanding of how scientific discovery, public health and communication work together to protect communities and that the experience showed them new career possibilities they had never previously considered.