Lynbrook Seniors Devote Summer to Intel Science Research

Over the summer, 15 rising seniors worked for countless hours on independent science research projects in their high school science lab and in famed research facilities such as the Cornell Weill Medical Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories and NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. Delving into the fields of aeronautics, environmental engineering, biomedical research and social sciences, a number of students worked side by side with mentors who are conducting similar research in their own professional labs.

Stephanie Mertz’s studies of gene regulation in kidney cell carcinoma took her all the way to the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics. Brandon Wong spent the summer at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he conducted research on the role of intracellular receptor movement in leukemic cell culture.

Closer to home, several students worked in professional research labs around the New York metropolitan area. Zoe Daniels and Olivia Mooney both worked at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. Zoe designed new treatments for inflammatory collagen diseases and asthma using genetic engineering. Olivia studied physician and patient concordance of perception of treatment for rheumatic diseases. Dana Fader investigated bioengineered disk replacement therapy at Cornell Weill Medical Center. Nicolai Tyco conducted a study of signaling pathways and disease at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories. Traveling to the Ichan Research Institute of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Tess Lewin-Jacus studied the role of mutation in the development of schizophrenia. Alana Kantor worked in a local clinic studying patient and physician perception of quality of life during and after psoriasis treatments.

Maxwell Brown, Erica DeMichiel, Jordan Goldsamt, Peter Lithen, Samantha Sitt, Edward Tischler and Olivia Wattman developed their research at the high school science lab. Working under the supervision of research teacher David Shanker, many of these students were also guided by mentors in the field. Maxwell used computer modeling to develop effective cost-efficient and environmentally safe power from a water turbine. Erica studied a novel technique for the acquisition of a foreign language. Jordan constructed a model to study stealth technology in aircraft. Peter studied the effectiveness of bioremediation to treat wastewater produced by hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking. Samantha used fruit flies to study the effectiveness of naturopathics  for the treatment of Huntington’s disease. Edward studied the aerodynamics of the human wing suit, an apparatus that is used in military applications and for sport. Olivia conducted a study of the factors that predict kidney transplant outcome.

Under the guidance of Mr. Shanker, all of these students spent their junior year developing background information, reviewing literature, reading professional journal articles and contacting potential mentors to develop their summer internships. Many will continue their research during the school year and prepare to enter the Intel Science Talent Search and other competitions.

“Competing in the Intel is not the only reason that these students have sacrificed most of their summer to spend time in the lab,” said Mr. Shanker. “Learning how to do research on a professional level and making connections for the future are important too. Some of our past students have published with their mentors, and many have gone on to earn advanced degrees and to pursue research careers.”