Two Hendrick Hudson HS Seniors Named Regeneron Top Scholars

From Hendrick Hudson School District: Two Hendrick Hudson High School Seniors, Jonathan Chung and Melanie Porras, have been selected as Top Scholars (semi-finalists) for this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search competition.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious math and science competition for high school seniors. Now in its 75th year, the competition is administered by the Society for Science and the Public and is sponsored by Regeneron. This year, 300 Scholars were selected from more than 1,700 applicants worldwide.

Jonathan’s project was conducted in the laboratory of Dr. Matthias Quick at Columbia University Presbyterian Hospital. Jonathan investigated the influences of probiotics on the Dopamine transporter, which could provide a novel explanation of the effects of probiotics on mental health conditions.

Melanie worked at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the laboratory of Dr. K.V. Lakshmi, studying the way chlorophyll captures and transmits light energy, with the future goal of creating artificial photosynthetic systems for more efficient solar energy panels.

Each Top Scholar receives $2,000, and each scholar’s school is rewarded $2,000 per student for its Science Research Program. From this select pool of scholars, 40 finalists will be invited to Washington, D.C. in March to participate in final judging, display their work to the public, meet with notable scientists and compete for a top award of $250,000.

Hendrick Hudson High School’s Science Research Program is a rigorous program taking place over three years, generating authentic research at the level of graduate studies. “I am ecstatic that these two wonderful students were rewarded for their exceptional work in science,” said Dr. Christine Rogers, Hendrick Hudson High School teacher and Science Research Program Director. “It is an honor for these students and our school. I would also like to thank Dr. Matthias Quick and Dr. K.V. Lakshmi for their incredible support of our students.”

Photos courtesy of Hendrick Hudson School District:

(Photo 1) Hendrick Hudson High School senior Melanie Porras was named a Regeneron Top Scholar, one of only 300 students nationwide.

(Photo 2) Hendrick Hudson High School senior Jonathan Chung was recently named a Regeneron Top Scholar in the prestigious science competition.