Byram Hills High School students had a great showing at the Regeneron Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF). Twenty-one students won awards, including one who earned the top prize and advanced to the international competition.
More than 700 students from Westchester and Putnam counties presented their original research at WESEF, the largest regional high school science fair in the country.
Senior Zachary Pero won a grand prize, awarded to the top 20 overall scoring projects.
Competing in the cellular and molecular biology category, Zachary’s research focused on prion diseases, deadly illnesses caused by proteins that improperly fold in the brain. He studied the mechanisms that cause this misfolding by examining prion-like proteins in yeast. His work yielded insights into the widely unknown processes that control prion diseases.
As a WESEF finalist, Zachary won a trip to compete at the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Los Angeles, California, in May. The international event is hailed as the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition, involving more than 1,600 students from over 60 countries.
“The entire WESEF process was a great experience, culminating with an incredible honor,” Zachary said. “Going to ISEF is a testament to everyone who has helped me as a student and a researcher. My research has the potential to help not only those suffering from prion diseases but also people worldwide suffering from diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and I am grateful that I will be able to share my findings on an international stage.”
Byram Hills students won many other awards at WESEF, held on March 16 at Somers High School.
“We are extremely proud of our students for their exemplary research and commitment to scientific discovery,” said Stephanie Greenwald, director of the Authentic Science Research Program.
A look at the Byram Hills winners:
Best in Category Awards
First Place ($125)
Grace Lin - Behavior
Kyriaki Gavriil - Animal Science
Second Place ($100)
Jack Canter - Behavior
Adrianna Zawojek - Behavior
Zachary Pero - Cellular and Molecular Biology
Jake Fenster - Cellular and Molecular Biology
Ben Curley - Computer Science
Ben Levy - Computer Science
Ayaka Ammon - Plant Science
Third Place ($75)
Abigail Cushman - Medicine & Health
Jake Santos - Astronomy
Fourth Place ($50)
Zachary Goldman - Animal Science
Joseph Palackal - Behavior
John Cavada - Engineering
Special Awards
Office of Naval Research
Outstanding projects in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics ($50)
Jon Manowitz
Lily Anchin
Momentive Women in Science Award
Awarded to top female students who demonstrate a promising future in science ($100)
Nicolette DiSano
Teatown Young Environmentalist Award
Projects that aim to protect natural habitats and/or ecosystems ($50)
Grace Lin
Visionary Engineering Award
Presented to students who exhibit enthusiasm, desire, and intellect in the field of engineering ($50)
Daniel Ndocaj
Carl Zeiss Microscopy Award
Given to outstanding projects that incorporate the use of a microscope ($100)
Connor Boekel
Creative Approach to Research Award
Awarded for a creative and innovative approach to research ($200)
Adrianna Zawojek
David M. Holmes WESEF Engineering Innovation Award
Engineering Innovation Award ($300)
John Cavada
Honorable Mention Award
Projects that exemplify mastery in research ($25)
Lauren Lombardi
Romy Schweitzer