Remnitz Named Finalist for Neuroscience Research Prize

From Byram Hills School District: Byram Hills High School senior Alexandra Remnitz was selected as a top national finalist for the prestigious American Academy of Neurology Neuroscience Research Prize for high school students.

The American Academy of Neurology annually awards students who have completed extraordinary work exploring the world of the brain and nervous system through laboratory research. As a national top finalist for this award, Alex has been invited to present her project at the 70th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Los Angeles, CA, in April.

The Academy is the largest organization of neurologists in the country. Each year the group recognizes 15 high school students who have created projects that investigate topics in neuroscience at a scholarly level. The student entries are reviewed by a panel of physicians and scientists who are leaders in the neuroscience field. Four representatives of the 15 finalists are then selected to present their work at a national neurology conference.

Earlier this year, Remnitz and three other Byram Hills High School students -- Stella Li, Jeremy Ma and Kylie Roslin -- were students recognized by the AAN as finalists for their research projects.

Alex worked with the marine fish, Sailfin Molly, and determined that this hardy species did not alter their typical behavior due to increasing ocean acidification, unlike most fish. This is a novel finding demonstrating the robustness of this specific species.

Alex is a certified scuba diver and her love of marine life and her concern for the future of our oceans was the inspiration for her study.

Photo courtesy of Byram Hills School District: Alexandra Remnitz