Honoring Achievements: Bronx Science High School Recognizes Nine Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars and Two Finalists from the Graduating Class of 2024
Bronx High School of Science Shines in Regeneron Science Talent Search 2022
The Bronx High School of Science once again demonstrated its prowess in scientific research, with several students making it to the semi-finals of the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search 2022. The school, renowned globally as a top STEM high school, had the second highest number of selected students of any school featured, following a tradition of excelling in this distinguished competition.
Entering research at Bronx Science is a lengthy and rigorous endeavor, beginning with the Science Research course and outstanding grades in ninth grade to qualify for this individualized program. Students then choose one of four sections: social sciences, mathematics and computer science, physical science/engineering, and biology, to begin their journey in sophomore year. They continue developing their projects as juniors and submit final papers in their senior fall.
The scholars' approaches to entering research vary, but they all demonstrate intense dedication, adaptability, and a passion for answering difficult questions and improving the world. Some, like Sophie D'Halleweyn and Kun-Hyung Roh, delved into the realm of machine learning, with Sophie designing a machine-learning algorithm, MAVEN, that can determine the most efficient nanocatalyst to optimize reactions, and Kun-Hyung predicting drugs that reverse Alzheimer's Disease by inhibiting CtBP2 expression.
Others, such as Nema Khan, Ryan Kim, Dimitrios Mahairas, Melody Jiang, and Rachel Wu, focused on diverse areas such as the effects of news reports on mass shootings, enhancing endothelial cell reprogramming for potential liver regeneration therapies, identifying millions of plant species, studying the interaction between Natural Killer Cells and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells, and the ability of social media content to influence its audience.
Aiden Hightower stood out for his methodology for designing DNA crystals using the tensegrity triangle, which can be useful for various applications including quantum computing, nanoelectronics, drug delivery, cell protection, and more.
The diligence, intelligence, and integrity of the Bronx Science research students were praised by their teachers, Dr. Tracy LaGrassa, Biology Research teacher, and Dr. Vladimir Shapovalov, Mathematics and Computer Science Research teacher. Dr. Scott Savaiano, another teacher at the school, encourages Bronx Science students to follow in the scholars' footsteps and pursue research.
The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the oldest and most distinguished science and mathematics competition for high school seniors, awarding $1.2 million to 300 students across 36 states and China. The competition recognises students for their impressive research, innovation, leadership, academic rigor, and community engagement. Two scholars from Bronx Science, Sophie D'Halleweyn and Kun-Hyung Roh, were named finalists in this year's competition.
For those interested in the detailed projects of Bronx Science scholars in the 2022 Regeneron Science Talent Search, official Regeneron STS archives, Bronx Science’s own publications or website, or STEM news outlets covering the 2022 finalists would be best sources for specific project titles and researcher names.
- The Regeneron Science Talent Search has recognized Sophie D'Halleweyn and Kun-Hyung Roh from the Bronx High School of Science for their research in machine learning, which includes Sophie's creation of MAVEN, a machine-learning algorithm for optimizing reactions.
- Studying the interaction between Natural Killer Cells and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells is one of the focuses of Melody Jiang and Rachel Wu, researchers from the Bronx High School of Science.
- News reports on mass shootings is a social issue that Nema Khan of the Bronx High School of Science delves into, as part of her research in the school's Science Research program.
- Kun-Hyung Roh, a student from the Bronx High School of Science, is studying potential therapies for liver regeneration through endothelial cell reprogramming.
- Quantum computing, nanoelectronics, drug delivery, cell protection, and more are some of the possible applications of Aiden Hightower's methodology for designing DNA crystals using the tensegrity triangle, a technique he developed as a researcher at the Bronx High School of Science.
- The Bronx High School of Science's scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2022 explore diverse fields, from the effects of literature on societal perceptions to the mysteries of space and astronomy, demonstrating their passion for understanding and improving the world.
