The Inside Press

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Science

Byram Hills Student Jared Ilan Named Finalist in Regeneron Science Competition

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Byram Hills High School (“BHHS”) senior Jared Ilan has been named a Regeneron Science Talent Search (“Regeneron STS”) finalist. Regeneron STS is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Only 40 young scientists are selected as finalists.

 Ilan’s project, “Modulus of Elasticity of the Ideal Decellularized Plant Material Scaffold for the Production of Cultured Meat,” focused on a potential, lab-based solution to meet the demand for affordable meat products with fewer environmental impacts than traditional production. Ilan joined BHHS’ three-year Authentic Science Research program as a sophomore with the goal of making an impact on an issue he cares about: climate change.

“After exploring many topics, I discovered that the livestock industry cannot support the world’s growing population and demand for meat, much less without having a detrimental effect on the environment,” explains Ilan. “After conducting an exhaustive search for a research mentor, I connected with a researcher from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (now at Boston College), 

Dr. Glenn R. Gaudette, an expert in the field of tissue engineering, who worked with me in conducting a study focused on improving the process of producing cultured meat, also known as lab-grown meat.”

“Cultured meat has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate food insecurity by providing an alternate and affordable source of meat, and limit animal cruelty practices,” says Ilan. “The process of growing cultured meat is not yet scalable or cost-effective enough to affordably sell at a commercial level. This is largely due to the currently ineffective and expensive artificial scaffolds, or structures, on which the meat is grown. The idea to use decellularized plant materials, or plants with all their cells removed, as scaffolds, was first proposed by my mentor, Dr. Gaudette, as a scaffold for growing heart transplants due to their low cost, widespread availability, high biocompatibility, and strong vascular system. These characteristics are likewise suited for the large-scale production of cultured meat, and therefore my study was focused on identifying which decellularized plant type was most suited for the growth of cultured meat.”

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic halted Ilan’s plans to conduct research in his mentor’s university lab this past summer. Ilan showed great resilience in adapting and completing his study in his garage at home. His use of common household goods, namely dish soap, plastic bags, and chopsticks, instead of professional lab equipment, required much improvisation and engineering to execute a valid study.

“Science research was the most meaningful experience of my high school career,” says Ilan. “While incredibly rigorous, the program is one of Byram Hill’s crowning jewels. I was inspired by my older sister’s science research journey where she was able to conduct groundbreaking lymphatic research. I’m glad that I did it and I’m very grateful for the support of my science research teachers, my mentor Dr. Gaudette, and my family.”

Ilan is co-president of BHHS’ “eNable” club, where he designs and builds assistive devices for children with disabilities. He is also co-captain of the varsity cross-country team and plays varsity lacrosse. In his free time, he loves to ski. He plans to attend Cornell University in the fall.

The Regeneron STS Finals Week, where finalists will present their research to judging panels and participate in exclusive programming with distinguished scientists, will take place virtually from March 10 – 17, 2021. Finalists are awarded $25,000 and have the opportunity to win additional prizes of up to $250,000.

To read more about the talent search, go to www.societyforscience.org/press-release/finalists-in-regeneron-science-talent-search-2021

16 Byram Hills SENIORS HONORED

The following 16 Byram Hills seniors received special recognition at the 58th Annual Junior Science and Humanities Symposium on January 30, 2021. JSHS is designed to challenge and engage students (Grades 9-12) in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics by presenting their original research before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers. Regional presenters will participate at the 2021 Upstate New York JSHS and compete for a spot in the national symposium. Congratulations to the following Byram Hills students.

REGIONAL PRESENTERS

1st place

Kristen Eickelbeck – Physical Science | Olivia Canter – Biological Sciences 

2nd place

Luke Briody – Neurology/Genetics  | Mia Dittrich – Neurology/Genetics | Ali Hafez – Engineering & Technology

3rd place

 Lily Deitelzweig – Neurology/Genetics

5th place

Raquel Kanner – Behavior | Lizzie Manowitz – Behavior | BaileyGoldstein – Biological Sciences

 LOCAL

1st place

Jared Ilan – Math, Engineering & Technology | Chloe Weissman – Behavior | Gabriella Ripka – Behavio | Tessa Schwartz – Math, Engineering & Tech | Alexa Jindal – Medicine & Health

2nd place

Griffen Nenner – Biological Science | Sophie Stumacher – Behavior

Byram Hills Authentic Science Research Program First Time Virtual Symposium is June 3

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Editor’s Note: Meeting current day challenges head on, a virtual presentation is planned that will offer the Byram Hills community or anyone interested in a chance to discover and enjoy the work of 102 BHHS students’ who have engaged in ‘Authentic Science Research.’  The presentation is themed ‘Forces of Nature’ so do SAVE THE DATE, June 3rd, to help support this popular annual event.  

Each year, the Byram Hills School District hosts a symposium in which students have the opportunity to present their work to the community. Despite current challenging circumstances, the program will be hosting its very first virtual symposium!  Event details:        

What: Byram Hills High School in Armonk, NY, will be hosting the 31st Annual Dr. Robert Pavlica Authentic Science Research Symposium. The Authentic Science Research Program is a three-year course that encourages students to pursue excellence in areas of original research. In times like these, the producers of this event explain that “it is imperative that we celebrate our future generation of scientists and promote scientific literacy in our community.”

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The program will begin with a livestream event featuring remarks from BHHS principal Mr. Christopher Walsh, and senior speaker Owen Skriloff, as well as ceremonies for senior graduation and program-wide awards. The livestream portion will conclude with an explanation of the symposium website’s “Virtual Presentation Hall.”

Within this hall, you will find Virtual Rooms with recorded presentations of Senior PowerPoints, as well as Sophomore and Junior posters. The producers invite you to watch the district’s livestream event “and then visit the Presentation Hall to learn more about the amazing work of our 102 dedicated student researchers.”

When: June 3rd, 2020 at 7 p.m.

Where: Byram Hills Authentic Science Research Symposium Website https://www.byramhills.org/academics/academic-departments/science/science-research

 

Strong Showing at Upstate Science Competition for Byram Hills Teens

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L-R: Emma Lucchino, Joshua Freedman, Renner Kwittken

Byram Hills High School’s Joshua Freedman won the top prize and a $2,000 scholarship and Renner Kwittken finished fourth at the Upstate New York Junior Science and Humanities Symposium last month.

The strong finish allows both seniors in the high school’s three-year Authentic Science Research Program to advance to the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Albuquerque, New Mexico in late April.

At the regional competition held on March 27 and 28 at the University at Albany, Joshua and Renner were among the six finalists who competed by giving 12-minute presentations on their research. Joshua competed in the biomedical science category; Renner’s work was in the biochemistry category.

“I am very proud of them both,” said Stephanie Greenwald, Director of the Byram Hills Authentic Science Research Program. “They worked extremely hard at articulating complex scientific research so the public can understand the work they’re passionate about. It’s always nice to see more students in the science research program being recognized for their outstanding work.”

Joshua’s research focused on targeting nanoparticles for cancer diagnosis and treatment. His project involved creating a novel targeted anti-cancer nanoparticle that binds to a receptor only expressed in cancer. He found that his nanoparticle specifically bound to cancer cells in vitro. In the future, this could allow doctors to create sharper and more accurate images of tumors.

Renner’s work also involved nanoparticles. The goal of his research was to enhance the delivery of nanoparticles, small medicines that are less than the width of a strand of hair. He synthesized three novel nanoparticles and improved their delivery using a standard FDA-approved chemotherapy drug, cyclophosphamide. His results were found in mice models and could potentially work in clinical trials, moving nanoparticles into the forefront of anti-cancer therapy.

In New Mexico, Joshua will compete with an oral presentation. Renner will be a poster presenter.

Also in Albany, Byram Hills senior Emma Lucchino won third place as a poster presenter. She analyzed the relationship between the bacteria living in our gut and in our immune system.

Spotlight on Science in the Schools

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Regeneron Finalists & 5th Annual STEM Fest Showcases How Science Reigns Supreme

Kumar and Singh Named Regeneron Finalists

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Society for Science & the Public has named 40 finalists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The competition, known as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search from 1942-1997 and the Intel Science Talent Search from 1998-2016, is designed to engage and inspire the next generation of scientific leaders. Alumni have gone on to win the Nobel Prize, found successful companies and invent groundbreaking medical treatments.

Two Horace Greeley Seniors were selected for this prestigious recognition, Chirag Kumar and Aditi Singh. Chirag Kumar’s project is titled “A Machine Learning Approach to Estimating the Error in Satellite Sea Surface Temperature Measurements.” Aditi Singh’s research is titled “Descriptive and normative accounts of color localization performance in visual short-term memory.” Senior Anna Zhang was selected in earlier competition as a Science Talent Search Scholar for her work, “Design and Analysis of an Artificial Intelligence Based System for Real-Time Detection of Texting and Driving.”

Kumar and Singh will travel to Washington, D.C. from March 7-13, 2019, where they will undergo a scrupulous judging process and compete with the other finalists for more than $1.8 million in awards. They will also have the opportunity to interact with leading scientists, meet with members of Congress and display their projects to the public at the National Geographic Society on March 10.

Fifth Annual STEM Fest Engages Young Scientists

More than 250 Chappaqua School district students, from elementary school through high school, will showcase their work at the Fifth Annual Chappaqua STEM Fest on Saturday, March 23rd. The event is at Bell Middle School, 50 Senter Street, Chappaqua, NY, from 9 am to 1 pm. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Chappaqua STEM Fest will feature student designed experiments, inventions and research. In addition, local and national companies will run hands-on activities at the STEM Fest. “We’re thrilled to be celebrating the fifth year of the Chappaqua STEM Fest,” said Lori Morton, Chair of the Chappaqua PTA STEM Committee. “The enthusiasm of our students is infectious. Their discoveries and inventions are brilliant and the event is packed with fun and informative STEM demonstrations and hands-on experiences!”

“This event is a terrific opportunity for our students to learn from, and teach, each other. Some students will wish to explore specific areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and others will be able to showcase a particular field of knowledge or skill related to those fields.  They will amaze, and be amazed by, one another and have a great time as well,” said Dr. Christina Ackerman, Superintendent of the Chappaqua Central School District.

A Note From New Castle Town Hall: The Pusheen Cats – Chappaqua’s First Lego League Champions

The Town Board was honored to welcome the Pusheen Cats. They are Chappaqua’s home team which won the overall championship at the 3rd Hudson Valley FLL (First Lego League) STEM championship held at the Bell School on January 19th. The Pusheen Cats developed an innovative habitat for human habitation on Mars. Their idea has won the praise of several NASA scientists! The team competed with 24 other teams at the Dutchess Community College on February 9th. Congrats to The Pusheen Cats!

Byram Hills High School Senior Wins Prestigious Rising Scientist Award

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on the Use of Avatars for Helping Teens with Autism

Byram Hills High School senior Ellen Amico was honored by the Child Mind Institute and the City University of New York with a 2018 Rising Scientist Award.

Ellen was one of five high school students in the New York metro area to win the award, which is presented to students who “demonstrated extraordinary promise in research in the fields of child and adolescent mental health or pediatric neuroscience.”

Byram Hills High School senior Ellen Amico was one of five New York-area students to win a Rising Scientist Award.

“Each recipient of the Rising Scientist Award shows drive, commitment and vision for the future of mental health and neuroscience,” said Dr. Harold Koplewicz, president of the institute. “At such a young age, these impressive students already have the motivation and the promise to make strides towards changing the way we look at and treat mental health disorders.”

Ellen received the award and a $2,000 scholarship at the On the Shoulders of Giants Scientific Symposium this past October, the institute’s annual celebration of scientific achievement in child and adolescent psychiatry, psychology and developmental neuroscience.

Through the Byram Hills Dr. Robert Pavlica Authentic Science Research Program, Ellen conducted research aimed at improving the ability of people with autism spectrum disorder to recognize emotions. She tested whether computerized avatars are an effective teaching tool in emotion recognition.

“It felt good to be recognized for my work,” Ellen said. “Working with people with autism was a great experience, and I loved it.”

As part of her research, Ellen worked with a mentor at Vanderbilt University, studying teenagers with and without autism. The subjects viewed videos of human faces and computerized avatars.

“Avatars are used a lot in research and treatment for people with autism spectrum disorder, but no one so far has tested to see if avatars are similar enough to humans,” she said.

The research found that “they are similar to humans and they’re a useful tool in cosimulating real-world interactions for people with autism spectrum disorder,” she said. “A real-world interaction can be a source of anxiety, but replacing it on the computer in a virtual way, it’s less anxiety-inducing, and they can practice.”

“Hopefully other researchers can use my study to back up or support their use of avatars in treatments they may create for people with autism spectrum disorder,” she said.

In addition to recognizing the winners for their scientific contributions, the award also honors students for their leadership and extracurricular involvement. The award is given by the institute and the Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.