The PMHS Science Research Program competed at The Westchester Science & Engineering Fair (WESEF) over the week of March 15. Students competing worked tirelessly over the past summer on projects which they were passionate about with the guidance of mentors. Students persevered through the obstacles of the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant conducting most of their research virtually. WESEF is traditionally an in-person event where students present their research through poster boards. This year, however, students presented their research virtually to numerous judges. The awards event was aired for the public on March 23.  

A great number of students were awarded special awards, which are sponsored by various organizations, in addition to students that placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th for the best in their category. Juniors Caroline Garufi and Ann Liu were selected to attend the GENIUS Olympiad, which is an international competition and will be held virtually this year. 

“WESEF was very different from my original expectation. It was nerve-wracking to present to a scientist in the field one-on-one. However, I think that this competition gave me experience in formally presenting my research, and I truly enjoyed it!” Garufi said.

Of the students that competed in this year’s competition, 20 were selected to attend Regeneron’s International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) to be held virtually in May. Three science research projects from PMHS will be competing at ISEF which includes seniors Brett Bober, Lucia Lavallee, and partners Jack Dougherty and Daniel Dusevic. 

“Though the WESEF site had some flaws that were a little overwhelming to navigate sometimes, it was still really nice to get the opportunity to show people what I had done and even get rewarded for it. The research program has been really incredible by giving me a space to develop my interest in science and it’s been great to be surrounded by friends!” Bober said.

4th Place Awards

Eliza Bratone, Behavioral & Social Sciences 

Jack Tirsch, Behavioral & Social Sciences 

Stella Schlumbom, Cellular & Molecular Biology

Graham Yuen, Cellular & Molecular Biology

Isaac Blackburn, Computational Biology/Bioinformatics

Madeline Buehrer, Environmental Sciences

Emily Kalyvas, Mathematics

3rd Place Awards

Andrew Kelly, Chemistry

2nd Place Awards

Thomas Roche, Behavioral & Social Sciences

Matthew McCormick, Biochemistry

Ann Liu, Computational Biology/Bioinformatics

Lucia Lavallee, Environmental Sciences

Jack Dougherty and Daniel Dusevic, Environmental Sciences

Olivia Pollock, Environmental Sciences

Nya Haseley, Medicine & Health

Caroline Garufi, Neuroscience

James Findikyan, Physics & Astronomy

1st Place Awards

Brett Bober, Environmental Sciences

Special Awards:

ASM Materials Education Foundation Award

Andrew Kelly, Chemistry

Katherine Valente, Engineering

Society for In Vitro Biology Award

Stella Schlumbom, Cellular and Molecular Biology

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Science Champion Award

Dyllan Hofflich, Computer Science

Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Brett Bober, Environmental Sciences

Jack Dougherty and Daniel Dusevic, Environmental Sciences

Olivia Pollock, Environmental Sciences

Evan Sefchick, Environmental Sciences

Critica Behavioral Science Achievement Award

Charlotte Nanda, Behavioral and Social Sciences

Excellence in Medical Research Award

Elise McCarthy, Medicine and Health

Samantha Min, Medicine and Health

Margot Phillips, Medicine and Health

Future of Medicine Award

Nya Haseley, Medicine and Health

Momentive Inventing Possibilities Award

Paige Felgner, Engineering

Luke Mackool, Engineering

Teatown Young Environmentalist Award

Katherine Roll, Environmental Sciences

Carl Zeiss Curiosity in Research Award

Ben Levine, Medicine and Health