Intel Semifinalists From Herricks Honored at Town Hall Meeting

Three Herricks High School students were honored at a Town Board meeting in late February for being named semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search.

The students were among 10 semifinalists from eight North Hempstead schools who received this prestigious honor. These students account for three percent of the 300 semifinalists nationwide.

Congratulations to:

• Vikram Krishnamoorthry, whose project title is, "Analyzing the Anti-diabetic Effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum Using a Two Part Gene Expression Assay"
• Sabreen Bhuiya, whose project title is, "The Effects of Magnesium Deficiency on Placental Cell Oxidative Stress; Reversal by Magnesium Supplementation"
• Ayesha Chhugani, whose project title is, "A Novel Magnetic Field Trap Using Superconductors for Transporting Polarized Ions for Medical Imaging"

Other students honored were:

• Graelin Mandel— Great Neck North High School
• Oliva Descorbeth— Great Neck North High School
• Emily Bae— Great Neck South High School
• E. Madeline Fagen—Paul D. Schreiber High School
• Emma Feldman— Paul D. Schreiber High School
• Nathan Yang— Roslyn High School
• Krista Chen— The Wheatley School

The Intel STS is the nation’s most prestigious science research competition for high school seniors. The competition requires students to present original research to nationally recognized scientists.

Dozens of family members, administration and faculty were at the Feb. 23 meeting and watched Supervisor Judi Bosworth present the students certificates of recognition. The students then briefly explained their innovative projects.

“[The Intel semifinalist ceremony] is one of my favorite nights of the year as we have the opportunity to honor our brightest and most creative students in the Town of North Hempstead,” Bosworth said in a press release. “Congratulations to all the students, and to the faculty, administration, and parents for all their support along the way.”

Photos via TONH

1. Group shot of all winners: (Front Row, from L to R): Vikram Krishnamoorthry, Nathan Yang, Sabreen Bhuiya, Ayesha Chhugani, Graelin Mandel, Emily Bae, E. Madeline Fagen, and Emma Feldman. Back row (from L to R): Council Member Angelo Ferrara, Council Member Peter Zuckerman, Council Member Anna Kaplan, Council Member Viviana Russell, Supervisor Judi Bosworth, Council Member Lee Seeman, Town Clerk Wayne Wink, Council Member Dina De Giorgio, and Receiver of Taxes Charles Berman.
2. Vikram Krishnamoorthry, with Advisor Renee Barcia, and Principal Fino Celano.
3. Sabreen Bhuiya with Advisor Renee Barcia, and Principal Dr. Fino Celano.
4. Ayesha Chhugani with Advisor Renee Barcia, and Principal Dr. Fino Celan.