Brentwood Student Selected for Esteemed Science Award

Brentwood, N.Y. (January 2019)—The Brentwood Union Free School District (BUFSD) is incredibly proud to announce that Brentwood High School senior, Ahmad Perez, was named a semifinalist scholar in the 2019 Regeneron Science Talent Search. Ahmad was one of only 300 12th graders from across the United States to be selected as semifinalists in the first round of the competition. In addition to being recognized by the prestigious organization, Ahmad also received a $2,000 award for his exceptional work and passion for discovery.

“We are thrilled to recognize Ahmad for the countless hours of work and effort he has put towards his studies over the last few years at Brentwood High School,” said Mr. Richard Loeschner, Superintendent of Brentwood Union Free School District. “Ahmad has conducted himself as a leader both inside and outside of the classroom. The district is excited to continue supporting and rooting for Ahmad in this prestigious competition.”

Ahmad’s project, Assessing Marsh Degradation in Two Long Island Salt Marshes and Presenting a Method for Restoration, investigated the degradation—as a result of increased nitrogen loading and eutrophication—of the Crab Meadow salt marsh in Northport and the Timber Point salt marsh in Great River. The project asked the question: What is happening to Long Island salt marshes? Specifically, the project used three methods: on the ground sampling of Nitrate, measurements of ditches from satellite images and the development of a biopolymer that can be used to restore marshes.

With satellite data from 2004 to 2017, Ahmad assessed the changes in mosquito ditch size as a metric for salt marsh degradation. He found that Crab Meadow on the North Shore of Long Island had larger sediment nitrate concentrations and significantly larger marsh loss than the Timber Point Marsh on Long Island’s South Shore, indicating that sediment nitrate may play a large role in marsh loss. The implementation of Guar Gum and Xanthan Gum were explored as a potential marsh restoration method to combat for the loss. Results show that both biopolymers contain water retention capabilities and the ability to foster seed germination, supporting a potential role in salt marsh restoration efforts.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competitions for high school seniors. Regeneron is a company founded with the goal of transforming lives through science with the social commitment to supporting the development of innovative young thinkers. Students must submit original research in critically important scientific fields of study. Ahmad will be competing in the next round of competition to become one of the 40 finalists chosen to compete in Washington, D.C. on January 23rd for a top prize of up to $250,000.

For more information about the Brentwood Union Free School District, please visit the district’s website at www.brentwood.k12.ny.us. Happenings in the district can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BrentwoodUnionFreeSchoolDistrict.