NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (April 12, 2022) – Twenty young scientists in the New Rochelle High School Science Research Program have taken home 24 awards – including two grand prizes – and more than $3,300 in cash and prizes at the prestigious Westchester Science and Engineering Fair. They were celebrated by the New Rochelle Board of Education last week.
“I am ecstatic about the achievements of our talented, dedicated students!” said Jeff Wuebber, director of the acclaimed program and a science teacher at the high school. “Their incredible curiosity, motivation and tenacity were on display in each of their projects. Recognition at this elite science fair further validates their amazing efforts.”
Out of 39 schools at the competition, New Rochelle ranked fourth-highest in honors, with 20 students taking home 24 awards.
The grand-prize winners:
- • Anna Barlis was selected as an International Genius Olympiad Finalist and will compete this spring in a virtual contest against 1,200 students from 75 countries and 39 states. Her project observes the prevalence of adolescent trauma in a hospital setting as well as looking at trends across these pediatric cases. “I’m so excited; this is an incredible opportunity,” she said. “I’m overwhelmed with excitement. This has been a great experience and I’m very excited to get the chance to continue my work and compete again.” Results will be announced in June.
- • Ella Harshman was selected as a finalist for Regeneron’s International Science and Engineering Fair. Her project investigated placental tissue samples to assess differences between villus packing density in placentas of children with Autism and placentas of children who do not have Autism. “It was extremely exciting to be at the awards night, and to see everyone win their awards. I was very grateful, and it was wonderful to see everyone’s work pay off. I’m super grateful to be selected as a finalist!”
Additional winners:
- • Ella Harshman: First Place in Medicine and Health Sciences
- • Andy Nunez: First Place in Biochemistry
- • Anna Barlis: First Place in Behavioral Science
- • Jessica Shapiro: Second Place in Behavioral Science
- • Izzy Balachandran: Third Place in Medicine & Health
- • Andrew Rittenberg: Third Place in Computational Bio/Bioinformatics
- • Amanda Cao: Third Place in Behavioral Science
- • Lila Ferrucci: Third Place in Behavioral Science
- • Elena Adams: Third Place in Behavioral Science
- • Alessandra Pappalardi: Fourth Place in Behavioral Science
- • Maya Minnitti: Fourth Place in Behavioral Science
- • Ariel Rosencrantz: Fourth Place in Behavioral Science
- • Aviva Segal: Fourth Place in Animal Science
- • Anthony D’Amato: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Engineers Award, presented to students who exhibit the enthusiasm, desire, and intellect to engineer a better tomorrow
- • Andy Nunez: Momentive: Solutions for a Sustainable World Award, awarded to outstanding projects in chemistry, biochemistry, and engineering
- • Dylan Sadow: Office of Naval Research Award, for an outstanding project in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics
- • Riley Fullerton: Office of Naval Research Award, for an outstanding projects in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics
- • Sophia Pak: Excellence in Medical Research Award, for being a top research project in medicine and health, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, microbiology, and neuroscience
- • Julia Ecker: Excellence in Medical Research Award, for being a top research project in medicine and health, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, microbiology, and neuroscience
- • Jobin Binu Daniel: U.S. Agency for International Development Science Champion Award, for a project that has the potential to make an impact on addressing international development challenges
- • Aviva Segal: American Meteorological Society Award, for creative scientific endeavors in atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrological sciences.
At the Board of Education meeting, Wuebber, Barlis and Balachandran spoke about the program and the exceptional research experiences it offers. Video of Wuebber, Barlis and Balachandran:
Facebook.com/newrochelleschools/videos/2886716238299188.
About the City School District of New Rochelle
With 10,000 students in 10 schools, the City School District of New Rochelle, through an active partnership among community, parents, staff and students, provides a high-quality and challenging education for every child, in a safe, nurturing environment that embraces rich diversity and drives success.
Photo Captions
Photo 1: New Rochelle High School Science Research Program award winners.
Photo 2: From left, grand prize winner Anna Barlis, Science Research Program Director Jeff Wuebber, and grand prize winner Ella Harshman.
