Ossining Students Earn Top Awards at Sustainable World Project Competition

Ossining High School seniors Julia Riley and Yasir Khan received a gold medal and silver medal, respectively, at last week’s ninth annual International Sustainable World (Energy, Engineering and Environment) Project in Houston.

Julia won one of six gold medals in the Environment—Health and Disease Prevention category at I-SWEEEP for her research on the complex enzymatic pathway that regulates communication between neurons and the brain. She received $750. She conducted her research at the Columbia University College of Medicine.

Yasir earned one of 12 silver medals in the Environment—Health and Disease Prevention category for his research on babesiosis, an infectious tick-born blood disease common in the Northeast. His research developed novel tools that will allow blood banks in the United States to begin screening for babesiosis. He received $400. Yasir conducted his research at the New York Medical College.

The I-SWEEEP science fair encourages students to present their innovative ideas in energy, engineering and the environment to create a more sustainable world. Students who win top prizes at state or national science fairs are invited to participate. This year’s competition featured 385 projects developed by 564 high school researchers from 62 countries.

Valerie Holmes, one of the Science Research program teachers, congratulated the students, staff, parents, mentors and the Science Research program, whose efforts and dedication have made the Ossining School District well known and respected around the world.

“This recognition is a testament to the caliber of work that our students have carried out over the last three years,” she said of Julia and Yasir. “These two truly invested in lab work and have emerged as experts making important contributions to their field. Both are working on publications to share their findings with the scientific community.”

Alexandra Greenberg, Ossining’s Director of Science, Engineering and Mathematics, lauded Science Research program teachers Ms. Holmes and Mr. Piccirillo for their dedication in helping their students succeed.

"Their tireless commitment to the program and to everything it entails is inspirational. The results of their focus, diligence, and high expectations, as they facilitate their students' pursuit of excellence, speak for themselves." she said.