Tyler Ostler doesn't speak like an average 15-year-old. She sounds more like a molecular biologist - which is convenient, because that's what she intends to become.

Ostler, a sophomore at Jerome High School, participated in a biomedical research program - Hutch High - Thursday at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.

Along with about 250 teenagers from Washington, Ostler spent the day learning about micropipetting, touring laboratories, studying germs, listening to lectures on sickle cells and cancer-causing bacteria, and isolating strands of DNA.

The facility hadn't received out-of-state requests before, but Ostler was invited because of her passion for science - motivated by her mother's battles with leukemia.

"For as long as I can remember since my mom was diagnosed, it's been a part of my life - both good and bad," she said. "I plan to be a molecular biologist, so I'll be a medical doctor but not necessarily working with patients. I'll be in a lab, from what I understand."

Her mother, Jodi Ostler, is a teacher at Summit Elementary in Jerome. In 2000, she underwent an autologous stem-cell transplant - infusing her own cells back into her body once she went into remission - but it came back in 2006. She then received an allogeneic transplant from her sister and is now in full remission.

"My mom was having some graft-versus-host problems. The cells my aunt donated to her didn't agree, so I was doing some research to see if these problems would be ongoing, which is when I came across the Cancer Research Center and contacted them," Tyler said.

Her mom, who also attended the program, said she had no idea that her daughter had asked to be part of the event.

"She did it all on her own," Jodi said of her daughter. "Since she was 5 years old, she's been fascinated by science. She's always had a tremendous desire to go into cancer research. We were honored that she was invited, and it really affirmed that she wants to do this."

One of the lab exercises involved extracting DNA from a strawberry.

"Cancer is a genetic mutation," Tyler said. "By isolating DNA from humans, scientists are able to determine where the mutation occurs in chromosomes. Strawberries are just one of the easiest ways to practice."

The center's spokeswoman, Christi Ball Loso, talked about Tyler's participation Friday.

"Though students attending Hutch High are typically from Washington state, an exception was made for Tyler to come from Idaho because she had taken the initiative to contact us about any opportunity we might have for her to see and experience one of our labs," Ball Loso said.

"I met her in person and was struck by her focus and enthusiasm in the DNA spooling exercise."

Damon Hunzeker may be reached at dhunzeker@magicvalley.com.