Two OHS students make Siemens Contest semifinals

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Sarah Romanelli was sitting in Spanish class when she received the text from her research coordinator; she was a semifinalist. Her classmate, Nathan Gershengorin turned around to congratulate her. He had seen her name on the list. It turns out; both of them were selected among 498 students nationwide to be semifinalists in the prestigious Siemens science, math and technology research contest with a $100,000 grand prize at stake.

The two Oceanside High School students were selected for their research projects, which they worked on in labs over the course of the last two summers. Romanelli, who will be the second person in her family to attend college, worked at the Columbia University research center on chemotherapy resistant mutations in leukemia patients with her research mentor Dr. Adolfo Ferrando.

Gershengorin’s project, which he researched at the labs in Mount Sinai under his mentor Dr. Avner Schleissinger, involved mutations in the way cells absorb glucose. The mutations he looked at are involved in diseases such as Type 1 diabetes and Fanconi-Bickel syndrome.

Their research coordinator Heather Hall, who teaches college level scientific research at the high school, is happy her students’ work is being acknowledged. “All of my students work very hard,” she said. “We get very excited when the scientific community recognizes the value of their research.”

Romanelli’s project was inspired by the experience of a fellow theater company colleague who was suddenly unable to perform any more. She found out later that they had been diagnosed with leukemia and could no longer work with the company.

Gershengorin’s project formed organically as he discovered his love of creating computer models for protein interactions. Eventually he landed on a specific protein he wanted to work on and went about researching why various mutations had specific effects on the way the body absorbs glucose. He specifically thanked Dr. Peter Man-Un Ung for his help working with him in the lab.

Despite their considerable aptitude in the sciences and mathematics, the two are also extensively involved in other extracurricular activities. Gershengorin is vice president of the World Interest Club and Law Club. He is also president of the Ethics Bowl and co president and co founder of the school’s new Math Honors Society. Romanelli has a huge passion for the performing arts and is co-president of the Oceanside High School Thespians, president and founder of Music Inspires and plays violin and cello.

The two are proud their research work is being recognized. “It feels good,” said Romanelli. But Gershengorin feels there are some caveats. “It feels rewarding that my work is being recognized,” he said. “But generally I feel science should be collaborative and not competitive.”

College is promenant in their minds. Romanelli applied early decision to Cornell. Gershengorin isn’t sure where he wants to attend yet.