Welcome to the Dr. Robert Pavlica Authentic Science Research Program

Science Research 2022-2023

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About the Program CONTACT US
Information for Mentors Stephanie Greenwald, Director
S.U.N.Y. Credit Dr. Caroline Matthew
Samples of Student Work Megan Salomone
Past Award Recipients Rhonda Santini, Administrative Assistant
Past Symposia  

 

 

RESEARCH NEWS

Regeneron Science Research
January 2023: We are proud of the four students who were recently selected as one of 300 Scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. JON MANOWITZ worked toward developing a sustainable method to produce lab-based meat utilizing wasted Romaine lettuce. LILY ANCHIN found ways to improve treatment for a specific type of leukemia. DANIEL NDOCAJ investigated a novel method to aid in viewing fluorescence under the microscope, which could assist research in genetics and cancer. BENJAMIN LEVY used machine learning to better understand the differences in how men and women discuss mental health online. These young scientists beautifully represent the entire senior class of 27, who submitted their research projects to The Science Talent Search this year.

ASR
March & May 2023: 
Our students had an impressive finish at the Regeneron Westchester Science and Engineering Fair: 19 students won awards, including three who captured the top prize and advanced to the international competition. Seniors Samantha Milewicz, Chloe Bernstein, and Emily Stangel won the grand prize, which is awarded to the top 20 overall scoring projects. These students then competed in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) which is the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition taking place in Dallas, Texas, in May 2023. At ISEF Chloe took third place for Environmental Engineering and Samantha earned second place for Translational Medical Science and third place Anti-Vivisection second. Emily was given a special award for her originality, analysis, and clarity in Science & Technology.

April & June 2023:  The Class of 2023 ended the year magnificently. Twenty-one of our seniors participated in the Westchester Tri-County Science Fair with eight seniors receiving special recognition.  Chloe Bernstein, Rohini Das, and Samantha Milewicz earned first place in their categories and Ethan Cherry received the highest distinction for one of the top scores in the fair.  All were invited to participate in the New York State Congress hosted by the Science Teachers of New York State. 

Other distinctions this year: Rohini Das presented her work at the South Asian American Women’s Alliance Science Fair and received the Humanity in Science Award.  Callie Higgins received top honors for her poster presentation and virtually presented her research at the International Conference on Palliative Care.  Samantha Milewicz presented her work at the Annual Academic Surgical Congress in Houston. In addition, a preprint of a paper presenting earlier work of hers appears on Research Square.  Lastly, Lindsay Miller was a contributing author for an abstract submitted to the Society of Biological Psychiatry Conference in San Diego this year.  We are very proud of all of the students in the Class of 2023.

Samantha M ASR
Samantha Milewicz was awarded Eighth Place at the Regeneron Science Talent Search earning her a $60,000 scholarship and recognition as one of the top young scientists in the nation and top 10 finalists in the country!  The Regeneron Science Talent Search empowers young people who are passionate about innovation and using scientific discovery to contribute to improving our world.

ASR
February 2023: 

Our seniors had a fantastic showing at the Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS). JSHS Encourages the future generation of scientists and engineers and celebrates achievement in the sciences. Ethan Cherry, Chloe Bernstein, Alaska Fairbanks, and Caleb Palappillil were able to advance as Speaker presenters and Aliza Hammond and Max Teitelbaum advanced as Poster presenters to the Upstate New York JSHS, where Chloe placed first in her room and 3rd overall and competed at JSHS Nationals in Virginia Beach, VA.


ASR
On February 15th the 2023 STS Scholars and Finalist from Westchester County were honored with a Reception at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals headquarters where they had the opportunity to engage with their local legislators and Co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron Mr. George Yancoupoulos.


January 2023: Samantha Schaevitz is one of four national finalists awarded the Neuroscience Research Prize. She will attend the annual conference of the American Academy of Neurology in Boston to present her work this spring.  This award is designed to encourage high school students to explore the world of the brain and nervous system through research as well as reward those students whose scientific skill and talent indicate potential for scientific contributions in the field of neuroscience.


BHHS Semifinalists in the Top Scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search
We are proud of the six young women who were recently selected as one of 300 Top Scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. ROHINI DAS developed a novel app to measure abstract memory. REMI MATZA further advanced our knowledge of age-related macular degeneration, a debilitating eye disease. SAMANTHA MILEWICZ identified a brain protein that could potentially prevent further damage from traumatic brain injury. LINDSAY MILLER established an important novel finding that could seriously impact future research utilizing pupil response to investigate Seasonal Affective Disorder and other diseases. SAMANTHA SCHAEVITZ added to a newly emerging technique that enables scientists to more efficiently deliver chemotherapy as a treatment for brain tumors. These students beautifully represent the entire senior class of 23, who submitted their research projects to The Science Talent Search this year.

2021-2022: Several of our students are published this year.  Dylan Haber is contributing author for a chapter IN the book Regenerative Nephrology, 2nd edition.  Nora Lowe authors a paper with her mentor identifying disordered proteins in tardigrades and she presents her work at the Royal Society in London. Tanya Postian co-authors a paper, Utilizing a lower extremity vein graft for immediate lymphatic reconstruction, in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery.  Alana Curley is an author of Helping Diagnosed Mothers and Their Adolescent-Young Adult Daughters Navigate Challenging Breast Cancer Conversations and Ella Fleischer is listed as author on Adverse driving behaviors are associated with sleep apnea severity and age in cognitively normal older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease in the journal, Sleep.

May 2022: Members of our senior class competed in the Tri-County Science Fair and six seniors won awards. Congratulations to:

  • Sydney Charron (3rd place, Biology)
  • Amelia Chung (2nd place, Environmental Science)
  • Elizabeth Corelli (2nd place, Medicine & Health), 
  • Eliza Goldman (2nd place, Nutritional Science), 
  • Nora Lowe (2nd place, Biology), 
  • Arianna Tabankin (2nd place,Biology),  
  • Marianna Vataj (2nd place, Experimental Psychology).

Both Amelia and Beth scores enabled them to move on to the New York State Science Congress and Arianna was an alternate.

March 2022:  Our students had an impressive finish at the Regeneron Westchester Science and Engineering Fair: 36 students won awards, including three who captured the top prize and advanced to the international competition. Byram Hills was recognized as the top school with the highest overall scores at this fair, one of the largest science fairs in the nation.  Seniors Edith Bachmann, Jack Blackmar and Gabriella Colabello won the grand prize, which is awarded to the top 20 overall scoring projects. These students then competed in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, Georgia, in May, 2022 and Edith Bachmann was awarded third place overall in Behavioral Science.

February 2022:  Our seniors had a fantastic showing at the Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Alex Berkman, Amelia Chung, Dani Eder, Alana Foreman, Alicia Huang, Lucy Kwitten, Nora Lowe,  John Ndocaj, Hannah Rippy and Arianna Tabankin were able to advance to the Upstate New York JSHS, where Alex placed first in his room and competed at JSHS Nationals in Albuquerque, NM.

January 6, 2022:  We are delighted to announce that four Byram Hills seniors were honored among the 300 top scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Congratulations to Derek Araki-Kurdyla, Edith Bachmann, Sydney Levy and Emily Pizzorusso.

July 2021: Skyler Goldin will have her work published in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics as part of her mentor’s manuscript on the treatment of inflammation in horses. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jvp.12993

June 7, 2021: Last weekend 12 of our sophomores took part in the Somers Science Fair. This virtual competition provides a unique opportunity for sophomore science research students to present in a competitive setting, their in-depth understanding of their own proposed research that they could conduct given proper resources and facilities, based on a thorough review of previous literature. The purpose is to demonstrate sound scientific thinking and insight, regardless of current mentor status. Of the 12 who presented, five sophomores were recognized for their work.

ROHINI DAS - First place Life Science
The quantification of learning using path integration in concept space

ALASKA FAIRBANKS - First place Life Science
The influence of exposure to air pollution on the progression of Alzheimer’s disease 

LINDSAY MILLER - First place Life Science
Exploring the effect of light therapy on the circadian molecular clock in patients with seasonal affective disorder

SAMANTHA MILEWICZ - Third place Life Science
Exploring the immune/inflammatory impact of traumatic brain injuries on permeability of the blood-brain barrier through an in vitro model of the neurovascular unit

EMILY STANGEL - Third place Life Science
Analyzing the genome and transcriptome of the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) to determine the molecular mechanisms allowing for their increased longevity

June 2021:  The International Youth Research Conference provides an avenue for high school researchers to share their research findings with their peers and the wider community. It strives to build an international network of driven students, mentors, and leaders in research. The IYRC is interdisciplinary by design: the conference allows for collaboration and connection between fields. ​This year, we had three students selected to present their work at the IYRC, Alexa Cohen, Drew Siskin, and Sophie Stumacher. Their work will also be published in the IYRC journal.

May 18, 2021: Luke Briody, Mia Dittrich, and Tessa Schwartz this week presented their research at the virtual International Science and Engineering Fair. This competition brings together almost 2000 students from countries around the world.

April 2021: At the Westchester Tri-County Science Fair, Luke Briody and Raquel Kanner were both awarded first place in the Biology category and will move on to present their work at the New York State Science Congress next month. Additionally, Tessa Schwartz received second place for her work in the category of Engineering.

March 27, 2021: Six of our seniors presented their work at the Upstate New York Junior Science and Humanities Symposium this week. Olivia Canter and Mia Dittrich will proceed to the Nationals in May where they will present their work as posters.

March 20, 2021: Superb showing at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair. Twenty-four of our seniors were recognized for their work, with Luke Briody, Mia Dittrich, and Tessa Schwartz winning places to move on to present their work at the International Science and Engineering Fair in May. Luke and Mia were also both awarded the George D. Yancopoulos Young Scientist Award, a special recognition. In addition, Beth Corelli, a junior, was able to compete at WESEF this year alongside our seniors. She brought home 4th Place Cellular & Molecular Biology as well as the Society for In Vitro Biology Award.

February 6, 2021: This weekend, 30 seniors presented their work at the Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Olivia Canter and Kristin Eickelbeck were awarded first place, Ali Hafez, Luke Briody, and Mia Dittrich second place, and Lily Deitelzweig third in their respective categories. They will go on to present their work virtually at the Upstate JSHS. Eleven other students were also awarded for their presentations of their research at the Westchester Symposium.

January 20, 2021: Thrillingly, today Jared Ilan was named as one of 40 National Finalists by the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Jared, whose work focused on the structural properties of plant scaffolds that could further the production of artificial meat, will compete virtually with other finalists for up to $250,000 in scholarships.

January 6, 2021: We are delighted to announce that SIX of our seniors were honored as Regeneron Science Talent Search top scholars. Congratulations to Olivia Canter, Mia Dittrich, Ali Hafez, Jared Ilan, and Raquel Kanner!

November 2020:  Despite the turmoil of this year, we are immensely proud of our 32 seniors who have submitted their final papers to the Regeneron Science Talent Search. With topics ranging from epigenetic responses to stress, to understanding baby laughter, they have created an impressive body of work.

April 25, 2020: Our 20 seniors recently competed in a virtual poster presentation at the Westchester Tri-County Science Fair and the winners were just announced today at a livestream event.  We are proud of the following seniors who were awarded for their outstanding work.  With all that is happening around us, it gives us great hope and faith that our young people are highly capable of tackling challenging problems and providing inspiring solutions.

Congratulations to the following:
FIRST PLACE
- Ariana Ishkanian* - Biology (and alternate to NYS Science Congress)
- Thomas Gomez - Chemistry
- Carolina Pedraza* - Physiological & Experimental Psychology (and alternate NYS Science Congress)

SECOND PLACE
- Adam Zeng - Engineering & Technology

THIRD PLACE
- Spencer Karp - Engineering & Technology
- Merry Mayers - Math & Computer Science
- Amanda Mackey - Clinical & Social Psychology

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Two years after her graduation from BHHS, Alexis Aberman (class of ‘18)  has had her ASR project work published in the journal Infancy. Her study on infant language acquisition was expanded by her mentor’s lab after she finished her summer research experience and their combined data was presented in this paper. Garrison, H, Baudet, G, Breitfeld, E, Aberman, A, Bergelson, E. Familiarity plays a small role in noun comprehension at 12–18 months. Infancy. 2020; 00: 1– 20. https://doi.org/10.1111/infa.12333

4/17/20: In April, two of our seniors presented their research at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium on April 15-16, 2020.   National JSHS brings together 230 high school students who qualify by submitting and presenting original scientific research papers in regional symposia held at universities nationwide. OWEN SKRILOFF presented his work to over 20 scientists and was honored to win second place in Physical Science, which earned him a $4000 scholarship. SAM ABERMAN presented his poster in medicine and health/behavioral sciences and won first place and $550.

3/25/20:  We are delighted to announce the final winners of the 35th Annual Upstate New York Junior Science and Humanities Symposium! The following winners were chosen from 43 Speaker Presenters and 39 Poster Presenters, who represented high schools from across New York State.

Despite the unique circumstances, judges were able to review speaker presenters’ research via their papers and an audio version of their presentation.  Poster presenters submitted an electronic version of their poster along with a narrative describing the research that was showcased.  We thank our judges and presenters for their adaptability!

Speaker Final Session Winners:
 
2nd Place: Owen Skriloff, Byram Hills High School, “An In Vitro Evaluation of the Relationship Between Stress and Mineralization Through the Use of a Piezoelectric Barium Titanate Composite”
 


5th Place: Samuel Aberman, Byram Hills High School, “Facilitation of an orthogonal IL-2 system for CAR T cell therapy through the novel knockout of the human IL-2 gene”.

2/1/20: JSHS WESROC Regional Fair. In the Westchester & Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) 2020 we congratulate all of our seniors who presented their work.

Two FIRST PLACE SPEAKERS will be traveling to Albany to compete at the Upstate JSHS in March.  OWEN SKRILOFF was honored in Medical Science and SAM ABERMAN won a medal in Cellular & Molecular Biology.

In addition, two students will present posters at Upstate JSHS.  SARAH ILANY placed third in Behavior and ALLISON STILLMAN placed fourth in Neuroscience.  ALEXA MCGRATH placed fifth in Biological Science and is an alternate for Upstate JSHS.

Finally, two seniors were recognized for the posters today. TALEEN POSTIAN placed first in Behavior and AMANDA MACKEY placed third in behavior.

January 2020: The International Youth Research Conference provides an avenue for high school researchers to present their breakthroughs with their peers and the wider community. It strives to build an international network of driven students, mentors, and leaders in research. The IYRC is interdisciplinary by design: the conference allows for collaboration and connection between fields. ​This year, our first participating in this competition, we had three students selected to present their work at the IYRC, which will now be held this fall: Ariana Dan, Taleen Postian, and Meagan Eickelbeck.

1/8/20: We are thrilled to announce that SIX of our seniors were honored as Regeneron Science Talent Search top scholars, representing the largest number of semi-finalists in Westchester County as well as one of the top schools in the nation. Congratulations to Sam Aberman, Spencer Karp, Merry Mayers, Alexa McGrath, Carolina Pedraza and Owen Skriloff!


November 2019:  20 seniors submit their final papers to the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Their work investigates the such topics as animal self-medication, the virality of social media and the production of semi-transparent solar panels.

June 2019:  We end the year celebrating three of our students who had their papers published.  Alan Chang's work on computational biology is published in Cell Systems.  Moses Zhang presents his paper at the American Astronomical Society's national conference and Benjamin Hammond serves as a co-author for a paper in Bioelectronic Medicine.  

6/10/19: Ethan Jacobs is one of 20 Google Science Fair Global Finalists.  He will be presenting his work at Google Headquarters in California as one of four Americans at this competition. 

6/5/19: Twenty-seven seniors graduate at the 30th annual Authentic Science Research Symposium and 58 underclassmen present their work. Alumni, Eli Kosminsky, from the class of '09, is the keynote speaker. 

6/1/19: Raquel Kanner is awarded second place in behavioral sciences at the Somers Science Fair, a county competition dedicated to sophomores.

5/17/19: Three of our seniors compete amongst 1800 students from 82 countries at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, AZ.  Renner Kwittken earns third place for his work in translational medicine and Brent Perlman is awarded fourth place in microbiology.

4/20/19: Ethan Jacobs is announced as a Google Science Fair Regional Finalist.  He is one of 100 students recognized for this prestigious honor.  This was the first year Byram Hills Science Research students entered the Google Science Fair.

3/27/19: Our students represented victoriously at the Upstate New York Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, where both Joshua Freedman and Renner Kwittken were first place in their room and later took first place and fourth place, respectively overall, moving them on to the nationals in Albuquerque, NM in May.

3/16/19: Major awards for the senior class at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair.  Renner Kwittken, Brent Perlman and Samantha Abbruzzese move on to present at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, AZ in May.  Three of our seniors, Isabelle Ilan, Elyse Kanner and Emma Lucchino place in order to present at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair. An unprecedented 23 seniors come home from awards from this competition.

2/9/19: Twenty-five seniors present their work at the Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Ethan Jacobs, Joshua Freedman and Renner Kwittken are awarded second place in their respective categories and will present their work as speakers at the Upstate JSHS in Albany. In addition, Jonah Schwam, Isabelle Ilan, Elyse Kanner and Emma Lucchino will present their posters in this state competition. Six other students are awarded for their presentations of their research at the Westchester Symposium.

1/23/19: Brent Perlman is announced as one of 40 National Finalists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search.  He will go to Washington D.C. in March to compete for up to $250,000 in scholarships.

1/9/19: Congratulations to our seven Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars, Alessandra Colella, Alan Chang, Ethan Jacobs, Jonah Schwam, Samantha Abbruzzese, Rachel Chernoff and Brent Perlman. These students were honored as one of 300 national top scholars in this prestigious competition. Currently, Byram Hills has a total of 111 Regeneron/Intel semifinalists, of which 20 have gone on to become finalists.

12/4/18: Samantha Abbruzzese and Rachel Chernoff are selected as two of 15 national finalists in the American Academy of Neurology’s Neuroscience Research Prize. Rachel Chernoff is selected to present her work at the American Academy of Neurology later this year.

9/21/18: Jackson Deitelzweig is named MIT Inspire National Semi-finalist and Julia Zaborowsky is named MIT Inspire National Finalist.

9/17/18: Alexandra Brocato is recognized with a Davidson Fellows Scholarship Honorable Mention.

9/4/18: The Authentic Science Research Program welcomes 42 Sophomores for the 2018/19 academic year.

8/23/18: Ellen Amico, rising senior is selected for a Child Mind Institute Rising Scientist Scholarship.

6/13/18: Zachary Milewicz is interviewed by Lisa Wexler on her radio show as a winner of the Acorda Science Competition.


6/6/18: Thirty one seniors graduate at the 29th annual Authentic Science Research Symposium and 49 underclassmen present their work at the Annual Symposium. George Yancopolous, Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, is the keynote speaker.

5/7/18: Arjun Goyal wins a second place honor and $8,000 scholarship at the 56th National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.

4/20/18: Alexandra Remnitz presents her research at the American Academy of Neuroscience Annual Conference as the first place finalist in the Neuroscience Research Prize Competition.

3/17/18: Thirty seniors present their work at the Westchester Science and Engineering fair. Twelve students win a spot as best in category and eight students win special awards.

2/3/18: Seventeen seniors present their work at the Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Arjun Goyal and Jonathan Mui are awarded first and second place and will present their work as speakers at the Upstate JSHS in Albany. In addition, Dylan Mack and Kylie Roslin will present their posters in this state competition.

1/9/18: Five seniors are recognized as Regeneron Top Scholars: Alexis Aberman, Alexandra Brocato, Stella Li, Jeremy Ma and Kylie Roslin. Byram Hills High School has the largest number of scholars in Westchester County, New York. Currently, Byram Hills has a total of 104 Regeneron/Intel semifinalists, of which 19 have gone on to become finalists.

Regeneron with Latimer

12/5/17
: Stella Li, Jeremy Ma, Alexandra Remnitz and Kylie Roslin are selected as four of 15 national finalists in the American Academy of Neurology’s Neuroscience Research Prize. Alexandra Remnitz is selected to present her work at the American Academy of Neurology in Los Angeles, CA.

11/15/17: Thirty one seniors submit their papers to the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Twenty-seven receive special recognition for their outstanding research report and 17 are honored for their exemplary initiative.

10/17/17: Alexandra Brocato is selected as a Siemens Semi-finalist for her bioinformatics project on the development of a disease trajectory for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Ali Brocato research



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



9/25/17: Eleven seniors submit their work to the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology.