Mamaroneck Student Wins Acorda Scientific Excellence Award

MAMARONECK, NY — Mamaroneck High School's Original Science Research student Chloe Weiser, senior, has been named an Acorda Scientific Excellence Award winner for her project titled "Electrical Shielding of a Totally Implantable Cochlear Implant Microphone." For Weiser, this project hits close to home. At the age of four, she was diagnosed with moderate to severe sensorineural (damage to the inner ear) hearing loss, according to a district spokeswoman.

"For most of my life, I did not know much about how the human ear worked," she says. "I knew when I joined the introduction to science research class my freshman year that this was the perfect opportunity for me to learn more about the auditory system."

Weiser worked with researchers at Columbia University to design a microphone for cochlear implants which would be implantable, meaning that it could be worn while swimming or bathing, which is not possible with current technology. The implantable microphone also will improve the cosmetic appearance of the device and improve the patient's ability to localize sounds.

The Acorda Scientific Excellence Award, was created to encourage young people to pursue careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). By working with WGCH AM 1490 Radio and The Lisa Wexler Radio Show, this award showcases the academic talent in Westchester, Putnam and Fairfield counties. Winning students are interviewed for the program "The Acorda Scientific Excellence Award," which airs Saturday mornings.

Read Weiser's project abstract here.

Photo caption: Chloe Weiser. Photo credit: Mamaroneck Union Free School District.