"Science is not only a subject; it's a way of thinking." - Carl Sagan

The CHHS Science Research Symposium was held on April 30, showcasing the exceptional scientific research conducted by students enrolled in the Science Research Program. Seniors presented their research in the community room, while sophomores and juniors shared their hypotheses and current findings with attendees in the gymnasium. The event was very well attended, but in case you missed it, you can find the list of presentations given by the seniors below:

• Caroline Casieri - Evaluation of DMSO Dosage on Oxidative Stress: Implications for Therapeutics
• Stephen Castilla - Testing Potentially Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals with Estrogen and Androgen Receptors Through Binding Energy Analysis in 3d Molecule Collision Software
• Cassidy Goda - Machine Learning for Immunotherapy
• Marcos Goni - Cold Welding
• Charlotte Green - The Consequences of Beaver Releases
• Mikayla Thomas - Research and Building of a New Computer Navigation Device to Benefit Individuals Suffering From Joint Pain
• Lucia Thoreson - Computational Neuroscience Approach to Biomarkers and Treatments for Mental Disorders

The Science Research Program spans three years, with students beginning their Sophomore year. Throughout the program, students determine their research topic, review science journals, secure an advisor, and then work with that advisor to conduct research. The program's third year is focused on completing their research paper and entering competitions. The program is supported by SUNY Albany, and provides students with the opportunity to earn 12 college credits for completing the course.

Robert Keehn, the Science Research teacher, said that an important component of this program is for students to hone their writing skills on scientific information. “There is a lot to analyze and distill, and that it is not easy to capture in writing,” he explained, “The coursework pushes them to build and strengthen those skills, and you can see significant progress they make by year three.”  

Senior, Mikayla Thomas describes her participation in the program as “an extremely enriching experience.” “I had the amazing opportunity to work with a group from Tufts University to do a project on product design, which was a huge success and created a community I’m so grateful to have worked with. Science research was a great start and I hope to continue my research journey in the future throughout college,” she said.

The program allows students to choose their field of study, which is often motivated by personal interests or experiences. For example, Sarah Blazek has known she wanted to be a pilot since second grade when she read a book about a pilot but has an ethical issue with the level of airplane emissions. “I’m conflicted about air travel because of its significant impact on global warming. So I started looking broadly at renewable energy sources that could be used rather than the current jet fuel,” she said. Sarah’s research is honing in on the use of hydrogen fuel cells. While there are shortcomings due to how much fuel they can provide per trip, she is exploring creative solutions that include combining hydrogen with other fuels.

We all learned during COVID that PCR is the gold standard when testing for viruses, but it’s expensive equipment and results can take days. Jane Siegel is researching CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) Based Diagnostics to determine if there are faster, less expensive ways to detect viruses, which would be especially beneficial in developing nations that do not have the resources for PCR testing.

Haashini Velmani's research on Vascularization of 3D Bioprinting was inspired by her neighbor's unsuccessful heart transplant. Her research demonstrates how 3D Bioprinting can be used to customize organs to fit the specific needs of transplant recipients, thereby reducing the risk of transplant failure.

Can Antioxidants Prevent Neurodegeneration? That’s what Arnav Nichenametla is working to find out. Inspired by time spent in a lab with his father who conducts medical research, Arnav is focused on how the body can help itself rather than a pharmaceutical approach. His investigation into early research shows that the body can, in fact, prevent aging of the brain.

Many students have become so engrossed in their research that they already intend to pursue a career in a field that relates to their topic. That said, they also recognize the benefits of this class extend far beyond their increased knowledge of science, including the analytical, time management, and public speaking skills they are improving. Mr. Keehn expressed his pride in the program and students, emphasizing that it is genuinely self-directed work. "It's their knowledge and hard work, and part of the process is figuring out if the topic is one that inspires them and to stick with it,” he said. “They are the experts on their research.”

As Carl Sagan said, "Science is not only a subject; it's a way of thinking." Congratulations to the Science Research students and Mr. Keehn on another successful year filled with curiosity, passion, and inspiration!