Whiz Kids: Austin Wild and Nick Suss

A summer spent researching regenerative medicine at Stony Brook University is paying off for students Austin Wild and Nick Suss. Wild has been named a regional finalist and Suss a semi-finalist in the annual Siemens Science Competition, a national contest that recognizes outstanding math, science and technology projects done by high school students.

“I was ecstatic when I found out,” Suss said. “But winning was just a perk of the research I got to do this past summer because the experiences that I had and the friendships that I made are invaluable.”

Wild and Suss were a part of the Garcia Materials Research Science and Engineering Program at Stony Brook. They studied the effect of polymer surfaces on human dental pulp stem cells.

“The hope is that these stem cells can one day be placed inside the human body to allow for bone regeneration for those who suffer from osteoporosis or damage from an injury or birth defect,” explained Suss.

Herb Weiss, director of SSHS’s science research program, said that he met with Wild and Suss about six times over the summer to advise them on their research, but he gave them the independence to do the majority of the work on their own.

“When working with students this talented, the best thing I can do is get out their way and let them work,” Weiss said. “My job is to be a facilitator, so I help the students find a research topic they are passionate about and mentors at their level.”

As a regional finalist, Wild will go on to present his research at Carnegie Mellon University later this month, where he will compete for up to $100,000 in scholarship funds.

“I am delighted that Austin and Nick have received this well-earned recognition of their efforts,” said SSHS principal Carol Burris. “Kudos to the students, their parents and to their research teachers.”