20 NRHS Science Research Students Win 24 Awards In Prestigious WESEF

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle students made an impressive showing at the 2022 Regeneron Westchester Science & Engineering Fair (WESEF). While the accolades the budding scientists received are impressive, their research could someday change the world.

The fair serves area high school students who have conducted original research projects in Westchester, Putnam and Sullivan Counties and are interested in sharing their research, competing for awards and a chance to attend the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Atlanta, from May 8 - 13.

Twenty young scientists in the New Rochelle High School Science Research Program won 24 awards, including two grand prizes, and more than $3300 in cash and prizes at the prestigious fair.

Anna Barlis, who was selected as an International Genius Olympiad Finalist, will go on to compete on June 18 in a virtual contest against 1,200 students from 75 countries and 39 states. Her behavioral and social science research observed the prevalence of adolescent trauma in a hospital setting as well as looking at trends across these pediatric cases.

"I'm so excited; this is an incredible opportunity," Barlis said. "I'm overwhelmed with excitement. This has been a great experience and I'm very excited to get the chance to continue my work and compete again."

Ella Harshman was selected as a finalist who will go on to compete at the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair this May, in Atlanta. Her research involved assessing the differences in villus packing densities of placental tissue samples between placentas of children with Autism and placentas of children without Autism.

Harshman said, "It was extremely exciting to be at the awards night, and to see everyone win their awards. I was very grateful, and it was wonderful to see everyone's work pay off. I'm super grateful to be selected as a finalist!"

"I am ecstatic about the achievements of our talented, dedicated students," NRHS teacher and head of the Science Research Program, Jeff Wuebber said. "Their incredible curiosity, motivation and tenacity were on display in each of their projects. Recognition at this elite science fair further validates their amazing efforts."

Students celebrated with a well-earned pizza party after school last Friday.

Additional New Rochelle High School winners:

1st Place Awards were sponsored by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Winners received a gold medal and $125.

• Behavioral & Social Sciences: Anna Barlis
• Biochemistry New Rochelle: Andres Nunez
• Medicine & Health Sciences: Ella Harshman

2nd Place Awards were sponsored by Con Edison. Winners received a silver medal and $100.

• Behavioral & Social Sciences: Jessica Shapiro

3rd Place Awards were sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation and winners received a medallion and $75.

• Behavioral & Social Sciences: Elena Adams
• Behavioral & Social Sciences: Lila Ferrucci
• Behavioral & Social Sciences: Amanda Cao
• Computational Bio/Bioinformatics: Andrew Rittenberg
• Medicine & Health Sciences: Isabelle Balachandran

4th Place Awards were sponsored by the Westchester Academy of Medicine and winners received a medallion and $50.

• Animal Sciences: Aviva Segal
• Behavioral & Social Sciences: Ariel Rosencrantz
• Behavioral & Social Sciences: Alessandra Pappalardi
• Behavioral & Social Sciences: Maya Minnitti

American Meteorological Society Award certificates were given to projects for creative scientific endeavors in atmospheric, oceanic and hydrologic sciences.

• Animal Sciences: Aviva Segal

NASA Earth System Science Award certificates were awarded to students whose projects offered insight into Earth's interconnected systems.

• Environmental Sciences: Jacqueline Ceja

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Science Champion Award certificates were given for projects that have the potential to make an impact on addressing international development challenges.

• Environmental Sciences: Jobin Binu Daniel

Excellence in Medical Research Award certificates and $25 donated by the Westchester Academy of Medicine were awarded to projects that improve our quality of life and make people healthier.

• Medicine and Health Sciences: Julia Ecker
• Medicine and Health Sciences: Sophia Pak

Office of Naval Research certificates, medallions and $50 gift cards were given to outstanding individual projects in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics.

• Behavioral and Social Sciences: Riley Fullerton
• Behavioral and Social Sciences: Dylan Sadow

Solutions for a Sustainable World $50 awards were donated by Momentive and were given to outstanding projects in the categories of chemistry, biochemistry and engineering.

• Biochemistry: Andres Nunez

Today's Students, Tomorrow's Engineers $50 awards were presented to students who exhibit the enthusiasm, desire and intellect to study engineering as evidenced by their project and presentation. Award recipients were deemed to have the aptitude to use their talents and gifts to engineer a better tomorrow.

• Engineering: Anthony D'Amato

A video of last week's awards ceremony can be found here. The full list of Hudson Valley winners, including finalists, can be viewed here.

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