Irvington High School Students Earn Top Spots At Science Research Symposium

IRVINGTON, NY — Members of Irvington High School’s Science Research Program presented research projects at the Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium at John Jay High School in February and took home several prizes.

According to a district spokesman, Dillon Palmieri placed second and William Felix placed third in the environmental sciences category, while Remy Mermelstein placed third in the physical sciences category.

In addition, science research students Cleo Davidowitz, Jacob Hrbek, Ryan Meng-Killeen, Evan Pickar and Claire Song presented their projects and competed against more than 542 science research students from 36 schools throughout Westchester and Rockland counties before a panel of judges and an audience of peers.

“I am proud of all our students for their commitment to their work in the Science Research program,” said Nadia Parikka, who co-advises the program with Geraldine Winterroth. “I feel lucky to be able to work with such dedicated young adults.”

For his science research project, titled “Analyzing Natural Carbon and Acidity Levels in Chatham Waters,” Felix has been working with mentor Dr. Daniel McCorkle at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Cape Cod. Palmieri, whose science research project is titled “The Rise in Atlantic Hurricane Frequency and its Relationship with Natural Cycles and Oscillations,” has been working with mentor Joseph S. D’Aleo, a meteorologist at WeatherBELL.

Mermelstein has also been working with D’Aleo for his project, titled “The Effects of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation on U.S. Regional Sensible Weather.”

Palmieri and Mermelstein will both present their individual projects at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair on March 4 at Sleepy Hollow High School.

“I am thoroughly impressed with our students,” Winterroth said. “They are passionate about their research and exhibit knowledge of their topic far beyond their years. It is a pleasure to work with such enthusiastic and dedicated young people.”

The Science Research Program at Irvington High School provides students with an opportunity to pursue an in-depth understanding of a topic of their choice in the sciences or engineering.

Photo caption: Irvington High School student Dillon Palmieri placed second in the environmental sciences category. Photo credit: Irvington Union Free School District.