Smithtown HS East Science Research Students Claim Top Honors

SMITHTOWN, NY — Maria Zeitlin, science research coordinator at Smithtown High School East, believes in the importance of scientific writing. So she encouraged her science research students to enter the Young Investigators Writing Competition sponsored by Stony Brook University, the school district announced in a news release.

Eight students from High School East placed among the four writing categories: biology (vaccine development), space research, psychology (virtual learning) and environmental science (the effect of plastics).

In the biology category, Jennifer Zhong earned first place, Nikhil Mehta received second place and Anushka Tilara was an honorable mention among the entrants from throughout Long Island.

In space research, Sophia Augier earned first place and Zachary Finger received second place.

Elizabeth Kong earned second place in psychology.

In environmental science, Jonathan Chung received third place and Sarah Schubel was an honorable mention.

The first-place winners, Augier and Zhong, will have their winning essays published in the printed Stony Brook Young Investigators Review Journal. The second-place winners, Mehta, Finger and Kong, will have their essays appear in the digital version.

"All eight students wrote meaningful essays that required much reading and learning as well as multiple writing drafts," Zeitlin stated via release. "We are so proud of all of our students for taking a critical eye to these important topics that are relevant to our society today. Their recognition is well-deserved."