Peekskill Student Selected for International Science Convention

Peekskill High School junior and Science Research student Hope Dias has been selected to present her class project at the 47th Annual International Neuropsychological Society meeting. The event will be held February 20-23, 2019 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Dias' abstract entitled, Examining the Relationship of Depression and Multitasking in Early Multiple Sclerosis Using a Novel Measure, was accepted by the Society’s Program Committee, who received over 1,400 abstract submissions this year. Each submission was judged for quality of both topic and methodology. Dias’ selection makes her the first Peekskill High School student to publish work at an international scientific conference.

As part of the school’s PSR program, students spend three years gaining invaluable experience in research design and experimentation, designing science posters and developing their presentation skills. Dias, like other PSR students, enrolled in the program in sophomore year. Last year, she invested significant effort in her search for a mentor who could guide her research, and located a physician-researcher at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, with whom she worked with over the summer.

Dias has worked on this project under the guidance of PHS Science Teacher Ms. Erum Hadi, who leads the Peekskill Science Research program at the high school.

“Hope is a dedicated Science Research student and has been passionate about her study of multiple sclerosis from the start,” said Hadi. “She has the maturity and commitment to undertake research with experts. The Peekskill Science Research program is very proud of her accomplishments and will prepare her for this and other upcoming science competitions.”

Upon hearing of Dias’ accomplishment, Peekskill High School Principal Mr. Rodney Arthur called Dias an, “excellent student and an extraordinary person.” Mr. Arthur graciously helped support Dias over the summer by funding her transportation costs to and from NYC so she could work with her mentor.

“Hope’s work speaks to the greatness of our Science Research program and the amazing work Ms. Hadi is doing with our students,” said Arthur. “As a school, we are excited to share in Ms. Dias’ accomplishments. Her work allows Peekskill High School to contribute value to the international scientific community. We look forward to more PSR students following in her footsteps.”

Miss Dias says she is excited to have been selected to participate in the conference, but that the program’s greatest reward so far is the new found love she has developed for medical science over the past two years.

“It’s really exciting to be the first Peekskill High School student to be published at this conference,” said Dias. “I’m just really grateful for all of the help I’ve received, because if it wasn’t for Mr. Arthur and this administration helping me get to the city, or having a great teacher like Ms. Hadi, then I probably wouldn’t have pushed myself as much. I opened myself to a different environment and got to learn about science and disease more in-depth and it’s been so interesting.”

Dias says that after graduating she plans to study internal medicine and specialize in cardiology. She hopes to one day be a doctor in the Army or join Doctors Without Borders.

On Tuesday, October 16, Dias will be recognized at a Peekskill Board of Education meeting at 7 p.m. in the Ford Administration Building located at 1031 Elm Street in Peekskill.