Mamaroneck High School's Emily McCarthy Named Siemens Competition Semifinalist

The following announcement is from Mamaroneck Union Free School District:

Mamaroneck High School Senior Emily McCarthy has been named a Semifinalist in the 2014 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology. Emily, a student in Mamaroneck’s Original Science Research program, completed her project in collaboration with Dobbs Ferry High School senior Yiorgos Argyros in the laboratory at New York Medical College studying the relationship between an important developmental gene (Brd2) and the number of brain cells producing the neurotransmitter GABA in mice predisposed to seizures.

Results of their project, titled Brd2 Gene Deficiency Alters Numbers of GABAergic Cells, showed that Brd2 was correlated with a greater susceptibility to seizures. These results are significant because they have the potential to help clarify the genetic underpinnings of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy in humans and could ultimately help to develop more effective treatments for seizures.

“Emily’s dedication to her project was nothing short of extraordinary. She was incredibly focused and spent most of her summer and many evenings and weekends working on her project. This award is well deserved,” said Guido Garbarino, Mamaroneck High School’s Original Science Research teacher.

This project represents the first formal collaboration between the Mamaroneck Original Science Research program and another school’s program. Mr. Garbarino worked closely with Tom Callahan, the Dobbs Ferry Research Teacher, and Emily and Yiorgos to complete the project. This included both in-person and virtual collaboration.

“Participating in OSR has been one of the best experiences of my high school career. Both Mr. Garbarino’s class and the work I do in the lab have made me realize the extent of my passion for science and opened up new career goals,” Emily said. “Recognition from Siemens is a huge honor and icing on the cake.”

Emily and Yiorgos are among 300 Semifinalists chosen this year from approximately 1500 entries. On October 20th, up to 60 projects (five individual projects and up to five team projects in each of six geographic regions) will be selected to compete at the competition’s regional level. Last Year, MHS Senior Surin Ahn was named a Regional Finalist, and in 2012, Juliet Strauss was selected as a Semifinalist.

The Siemens Foundation established the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology in 1999. The Competition is the nation’s premier science research competition for high school students and seeks to promote excellence by encouraging students to undertake individual or team research projects. It fosters intensive research that improves students’ understanding of the value of scientific study and informs their consideration of future careers in these disciplines.

Photo: Emily McCarthy. Photo credit: Mamaroneck Union Free School District