Even when facing competition from around the world, New Rochelle High School’s prestigious Science Research Program students excel and take home an array of awards!
Eight students were honored in the international Genius Olympiad, which promotes global understanding of environmental issues, as well as sustainability through basic science, arts, creative writing, engineering, design, and business development.
The honors cap a sensational year of recognition for the signature Science Research Program, which is a source of immense pride for the high school, City School District of New Rochelle, and the community.
“This is an outstanding way to close our amazing year,” said Jeff Wuebber, Director of the Science Research Program and a New Rochelle High School science teacher. “Our young scientists never cease to amaze. I think next year will be even bigger and better!”
The honorees:
- Anthony D’Amato, Gold: “Impact Of Thermoelectric Effects On Shunt-Based Current Measurements.” “I've had an amazing time completing my research project and sharing it,” he said. “It's a great honor to have such amazing recognition for doing what I'm passionate for.”
- Isabelle Balachandran, Silver: “Combinatorial Approach Of Experimental And Systems Biology In Multi Indication Drug Discovery Efforts Targeting Kif19.” "It has been an amazing experience being a part of the science research community and I am so proud of all that we have accomplished!" she said.
- Ella Harshman, Silver: “Assessing The Relationship Between Villus Packing Density In The Placenta And Autism Spectrum Disorder.” "I have had a wonderful time participating in Genius Olympiad the past two years and I am grateful to receive this honor!" she said. "I am proud of all my classmates’ achievements and so glad I have been able to be a part of this amazing program."
- Andres Nunez, Silver: “Synthesis And Study Of Fluorescent Antibody Conjugates.” “I am extremely ecstatic to have been selected for this international recognition again,” he said. “I could not have done it without the support I have received from my mentor and Mr. Wuebber. I feel very fortunate to have been able to participate in the Science Research Program and for the amazing opportunity to have been able to work in a lab. The lab experience provided me with valuable skills that will help me for life. My goal is to continue to participate in research in college, where I plan to use the skills I was able to gain here.”
- Aviva Segal, Bronze: “Impact Of Manganese Exposure On The Development Of The Atlantic Horseshoe Crab Limulus Polyphemus.”
- Julia Yang, Bronze: “Helping To Make Blood Characterization Of The Erythroid Specific Macrophage.”
- Natalia McMorris, Honorable Mention: “Gene Expression Analyzing Coregulated Genes And Their Correlation With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Using DEAR Analysis.”
- Andrew Rittenberg, Honorable Mention: “Validity Of Simulated Microgravity Data On Zebrafish Embryos To Human Data Using Transcriptomics and Data Analysis.”
Overall, 599 projects out of 821 submitted from 35 states and 57 countries were honored. New Rochelle High School had the sixth-highest number of projects submitted from all high schools around the world. The Olympiad is held virtually; winners are encouraged to submit their research to the International Journal of High School Research to have it peer-reviewed and published.
The Genius Olympiad competition instills skills and knowledge to be the leaders, scientists, artists, writers, engineers, and policy makers of the future. GENIUS is an abbreviation of Global Environmental Issues and Us. The contest is sponsored by the Rochester Institute of Technology and Terra Science and Education, a nonprofit organization that advances education. See the full list of awards at https://geniuscountries.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GENIUS_2022_Awardee_List.pdf.