Intel honors two Calhoun High researchers

Each year, the Society for Science & the Public awards Research Report and Initiative badges to recognize excellence in students’ submissions to the Intel Science Talent Search, considered among the country’s most competitive and prestigious science contests.

Two student researchers at Calhoun High School in Merrick, David Braunstein and Simon Goldstein, received badges.

According to the SSP, “The Intel STS Research Report Badge is awarded to an entrant who has submitted a well-written, college-level, journal-style research report based upon his or her own independent science research.”

The Intel STS Student Initiative Badge, meanwhile, “is awarded to an entrant who has exhibited extraordinary effort and dedication in her or her pursuit of scientific research and has made great accomplishments relative to the resources available to him or her.”

Below are profiles of Calhoun’s badge winners:

David Braunstein
Hometown: North Merrick
Age: 17
School Activities: Opinion editor of the school newspaper, Hoofbeats; trombonist with the jazz band and wind ensemble, for which he is the low-brass leader; Relay for Life cancer fundraiser co-chairman; Model United Nations club member; tutor in math and music.
Honor Societies: President, National Honor Society; member, English, math, science and Spanish honor societies.
Other: Class valedictorian
College: Undecided
Plans to Study: Biology or pre-medicine
Badge Earned: Research Report
Area of Research: Studied how deficiencies in the frontal lobe of the brain can lead to Parkinson’s disease. Examined 66 patients at the Feinstein Institute of the North Shore-LIJ Health System over two summers.

Simon Goldstein
Hometown: Merrick
Age: 17
School Activities: Member of the Key and science clubs, Advanced Placement art student, Relay for Life cancer fundraiser co-chairman.
Honor Societies: Art, Italian, math, National, and science honor societies.
College: Undecided
Plans to Study: Biology or pre-medicine
Badge Earned: Student Initiative
Area of Research: At Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City last summer, studied 24 patients suffering from lyphedema, or swelling in the lymphatic system.