Seven WPHS seniors submit research, applications to prestigious science competition

Seven highly motivated White Plains High School seniors have submitted their research papers and applications to one of the most challenging and prestigious science competitions in the nation — the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS).

Out of the 2,500 talented students who apply from across the country, 300 are selected as semifinalists to receive $2,000 awards. From that elite group, 40 finalists are chosen to receive $25,000 each, a trip to Washington, D.C., for the Regeneron Science Talent Institute, where they can display their work to the public and mingle with leading scientists.

Last but not least, they also get the chance to compete for the top prize of $250,000.

“Submitting to STS is no small feat. It requires months of original research, writing and reflection, and the application itself is incredibly demanding,” said science research teacher Kimberly Fleming.

“Just getting to the point of submission is a major accomplishment. … Their research represents the best of what our students can achieve, and I couldn’t be more proud of them for taking on this challenge and putting their work out into the world,” she added.

Run by the nonprofit Society for Science in partnership with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, the STS is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science competition for high school seniors seeking careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Students submit detailed applications including 20-page research papers, essays, recommendations and other supporting materials. Alumni of the competition have gone on to receive 13 Nobel Prizes and many other top honors in their fields.

The following are the seniors who are representing White Plains High School in the Regeneron STS:

Eliana Lieber

Project: “The Use of Cyanobacteria’s Carbon-Concentrating Organelles to Increase Oxygen Yields in Green Algae”

The National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist based her Regeneron submission on her SUNY-Albany research project analyzing cyanobacteria and green algae. Her detailed study, “Comparative Genomic Analysis of the Calvin-Benson Cycle of Cyanobacteria and Green Algae,” focuses on photosynthesis reactions that convert carbon dioxide into organic molecules.

“It’s really the culmination of three years of work,” she said Monday morning. “We spend hours each week — even whole days — refining our projects.”

Eliana said the application required a lengthy research paper as well as essays and academic information.

“It’s not just about your paper — they’re looking at you as a whole person, your potential as a scientist,” she said. “I’ve already gotten a lot out of it — I’ve learned how to work flexibly, how to write scientifically and how to persevere through challenges.”

After completing the STS process, Eliana plans to enter other competitions, including the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF) in March.

“Advancing would be amazing,” she said about Regeneron, “but even just reaching this stage is a huge accomplishment.”

Sofia Bertini

Project: “Investigating the Possibility of Using the Optic Nerve as a Biomarker for Multiple Sclerosis in the Context of Moroccan Patients”

Sofia’s project, which was inspired from her heritage and family conversations, examines whether the optic nerve can be used as a biomarker to diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS) among Moroccan patients — a population she said is historically underrepresented in studies.

“I realized that most participants in studies about MS were of American or European descent,” she explained. “We wanted to see if the same criteria would apply accurately to Moroccan patients.”

Her Morocco-based mentor helped her tailor the research to better reflect genetic and regional variations.

“I wanted to make sure my background was represented in something that could help others,” said Sofia, who credits the WPHS Science Research Program and Ms. Fleming for teaching her how to connect with mentors and pursue independent inquiry.

The student hopes to study medicine or public health in college and continue doing research.

“Just applying to Regeneron forced me to polish my paper and think deeply about my work,” she said. “Getting recognized among the top 300 would be a tremendous honor — it would mean that all of this effort was worth it.”

Jordan Ford

Project: “Metallicity in Relation to Neutrino Fluxes”

Jordan studied astrophysics through her project on the relationship between metallicity — the measure of the abundance of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium in a star — and neutrino fluxes, the streams of subatomic particles emitted from celestial events.

“Neutrinos can travel through most matter undetected,” Jordan explained. “They move through the sun much faster than light, so they help us understand what’s happening deep inside stars.”

She said her research, which examines how neutrino measurements can reveal the composition of stars and supernovae, will contribute to future methods of studying the universe more efficiently.

“Detection is expensive, but it’s an exciting frontier,” she said.

A member of the varsity soccer team, Jordan has already committed to Binghamton University, where she plans to major in mechanical engineering and minor in physics.

“Finishing the application felt like a huge relief,” she said. “Even just completing it feels like a victory — it’s years of work brought together in one project.”

Francis Fokoue Nkoutche

Project: “Developing a Headset for Children and Teens With Sensory Modulation Disorders and Hypersensitivity to Sound”

Francis designed and built a prototype headset to help children and teens with sensory modulation disorders — especially those with autism — manage hypersensitivity to sound.

“When you wear it, you only hear people speaking in the direction you’re looking,” he explained. “It cancels background noise while preserving the voice of the person you’re focused on.”

Francis developed the idea as a middle schooler and built the device over the past summer.

“I wanted to create something that helps kids feel comfortable but still allows them to communicate and build language skills,” he said. With limited mentorship, he relied on independent research, YouTube tutorials, and trial and error to complete his device.

Francis hopes to pursue mechanical engineering in college and focus on assistive technology or prosthetics design.

“I submitted the application two minutes before the deadline,” he said, chuckling. “I’d love to advance, but honestly, I’m just proud I built something that can help others.”

Olivia Tuzel

Project: “From Invasive Plant to Product: Exploring Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) as an Absorbent Core in a Sustainable Menstrual Pad”

Combining environmental and social awareness, Olivia’s project explored how Japanese knotweed, an invasive plant species, could be used as a sustainable absorbent material in feminine hygiene products.

“When I first learned how much plastic is in a single pad, it really stuck with me,” she said. “I wanted to find a way to make something more sustainable while also helping to control an invasive species.”

Olivia conducted her research with guidance from mentors at the University of Utah, Oregon State University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse.

The enterprising student even performed much of the chemical processing and testing herself at home to compare her knotweed-based pads with commercial sustainable products to assess absorbency and biodegradability.

“I think I’ve already gotten the biggest reward — learning how to conduct real research and gaining confidence in my ideas,” Olivia said.

She hopes to double major in international relations and philosophy in college, with plans to continue sustainability innovation on the side.

“Getting recognized would be amazing,” she added, referring to making it to the upper echelons in the competition. “But the process itself has already been life-changing.”

Charis Choi

Project: Detecting HER2 Ovarian Cancer Tumors Using Multi-Modal Imaging

At just 17, Charis has already completed a summer internship at the renowned Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where she worked on detecting HER2-positive ovarian cancer tumors through multi-modal imaging.

HER2-positive ovarian cancer is the type in which the tumor cells express high levels of the HER2 protein -- Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2, which is found on the surface of cells.

“I worked 40 hours a week for eight weeks — it was an incredible experience,” she said. “I learned so much about lab work, imaging technology, and the ethics of animal research.”

Charis, who plans to major in public health, said the experience gave her a deeper appreciation of science beyond the confines of the classroom.

“Not everyone gets to do research like this in high school,” she said. “It gave me insight into what I want to pursue in the future and helped me see the real-world applications of scientific discovery.”

Charis added:  “The Regeneron application taught me how to express my ideas in writing and reflect on what I’ve learned. It’s an honor just to participate in something that celebrates the next generation of scientists.”

The seventh student, Deya Allen, was unable to attend the interviews but also submitted her project to the Regeneron STS.

Deya Allen

Project: "The Show Must Go On: Exploring Dancers Mental Health Using the BAI and WEMWBS"

"I studied dancers' mental health using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale ((WEMWBS)," Deya said. "I hypothesized that dancers would have poor mental health compared to nondancers and that longer practice time would lead to lower mental health."

She said she distributed an online survey, using the BAI and WEMWBS to measure the respondents' mental well-being. 

"Results from the survey showed that dancers and nondancers did have significant differences in their scores for the BAI and, however, for the WEMWBS, there was no significant difference," Deya said. "Also, a linear regression showed that the number of hours dancers spent dancing, the higher their BAI and WEMWBS scores. This indicates that dancers who spend more time in the dance studio have more anxiety and poorer mental well-being."

She said she conceived of the research after taking part in a dance intensive during which she meditated.

"After the meditation, I would feel more refreshed, and it made me come back the next day ready to learn more, and I felt like a better dancer. From this, I was interested in mental health and what factors can affect dancers' mental health," she said.

Ms. Fleming said that "what makes this competition unique is its emphasis on identifying students whose dedication to STEM extends beyond the classroom. As part of the application process, students must submit multiple recommendations, including one from a Project Recommender, as well as input from teachers and guidance counselors who can address their academic background and character.

"As their science research teacher, I guide students through the entire application process, which begins in the spring of their junior year. I help them understand the requirements, review and revise their research papers for formatting, grammar and scientific rigor, and ensure their work aligns with STS guidelines," she said.

"While we haven’t had a finalist or semifinalist in recent years, I’m incredibly proud of every student who reaches the milestone of submitting a completed application. It gives them a rare opportunity to take ownership of their work and share their accomplishments on a national level," the teacher added.