Hewlett High School senior a science scholar

Hewlett High School senior Matthew Perkins was  named a scholar, or semifinalist, on Jan. 4, for the 2017 Regeneron Science Talent Search,  a program run by the Society for Science and the Public. This prestigious competition was formerly the Intel contest.

Perkins’ project is "Alpha and Beta Adrenergic Agonists Increase Hindrance to Diffusion of 3-kDa Dextran in Mouse Visual Cortex Extracellular Space." Through his studies, Perkins compared the brains of mice that were asleep and awake.

The 300 scholars were selected from 1,749 applicants based on their scientific backgrounds, academic achievement and recommendations from teachers and other scientists, according to the Society for Science and the Public.Each of the  scholars receives a $2,000 award and an additional $2,000 for his or her school.

Going forward, 40 out of the 300 will be selected as Science Talent Search finalists on Jan. 24. The scholars come from 182 high schools nationwide, with 58 students from Long Island. Those selected will go to Washington, D.C. from March 9 to 15 to compete for more than $1.8 million in awards. Winners will be announced at an award ceremony on March 14 at the National Building Museum in the nation's capital.