2 Syosset Seniors Named Siemens Finalists

Two Syosset High School seniors were named regional finalists in the Siemens Competition for Math, Science and Technology, the nation’s premier science research competition for high school students.

Sarah Lee and Kunal Shah are among the school’s five student researchers who achieved semifinalist status. Along with Lee and Shah, senior Robert Klyner and juniors Rahul Chaudhry and Sahil Chaudhry made it to the regional semifinalist round in the competition.

As finalists, Lee and Shah will present their research to a Siemens panel of judges on Nov. 21 to determine whether they advance to the national finals in Washington, D.C., in December.

Lee and Shah both conducted their research at Stony Brook University. They are among just 15 finalists from Long Island who will vie for one of five national individual finalist spots and five team finalist spots from each region.

Lee researched alternative ways to block pain receptors in the body. She studied the chemistry of natural pain blockers and their attachment to various cell receptors and found that there were several compounds that could block cell receptors as a novel and effective way to relieve pain while avoiding many of the side effects and consequences associated with over-the-counter medications.

Shah who worked as part of a team with two students from different high schools, discovered a method to make fuel cells more efficient by modifying current hydrogen fuel cells with the addition of graphene oxide nanoparticles. His research partners are Brian Rhee of Half Hollow Hills East and Roshan Patel from Ward Melville. Lee worked independently.

“I have been studying math and science throughout high school and have really developed a passion over the years not just based on research, but on fundamental science and what we learn in classes,” said Shah, who turned his focus toward chemistry after taking an honors chemistry class in the 10th grade. “I believe it’s important that as many people as possible pursue the role of individual science researcher to help make the world a better place.”

“As a researcher, it’s so nice to be acknowledged for the work that you put in,” said Lee. “You are not just a high school student in a lab setting. You are trying to solve the problems that plague humanity. It’s such an honor to be involved in this type of work.”

Regional finalists, who were selected from 466 semifinalists, receive $1,000 each. They will present their projects remotely via Web conferencing and other digital means on Nov. 21 to judges at one of six prestigious research universities across the country, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. National finalists will be identified through that process and compete in December at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Six individuals and six teams will win scholarship awards ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. There were 1,781 applicants in this year’s competition.

Working as a team at Stony Brook University, Rahul and Sahil tackled the problem of overactive platelets and excessive blood clotting by creating an algorithm to determine platelet shape, and based upon that information could predict the best medication for doctors to prescribe. This algorithm is more effective than current methods, which typically take two to three months to complete. Robert conducted his research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, analyzing the DNA of three patients with epilepsy. Specifically, he looked at de novo mutations, which are spontaneous mutations not affecting other members of a family. He not only found a way of identifying de novo mutations, but also discovered a potential link in the DNA sequence to the disease.

All of the students studied under the tutelage of Syosset High School research facilitator Veronica Ade. “It’s a privilege to work with such talented young minds, but what people sometimes don’t realize is the amount of hard work that goes into these projects, including the presentation,” said Ade. “Every one of these students has earned this honor. Whether it’s discovering new methodologies to treat illnesses or developing more efficient and effective ways to power society, their work is truly groundbreaking and we should all be proud of them. We congratulate our five finalists and wish Sarah and Kunal the best as they move forward in the competition.”

The Siemens Foundation established the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology in 1999. The competition seeks to promote excellence by encouraging students to undertake individual or team research projects. It fosters intensive research that improves students’ understanding of the value of scientific study and informs their consideration of future careers in these disciplines.

Story provided by Syntax, Photos courtesy of the Syosset School District

• Syosset school officials congratulate the district’s five regional semifinalists in the Siemens Competition for Math, Science and Technology. From left: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Rogers, Syosset High School Principal Dr. Giovanni Durante, Sahil Chaudhry, Rahul Chaudhry, Robert Klyner, Sarah Lee (finalist), Kunal Shah (finalist), research facilitator Veronica Ade and Administrative Assistant for Science Thomas Allen.
• Syosset HS Siemens Math, Science and Technology competition’s regional finalists Sarah Lee and Kunal Shah.