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Valley Stream Central H.S. senior is a Siemens regional finalist

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A Central High School senior was named a regional finalist in a prestigious national research competition, the school announced last week.

Katie Mazalkova and her research partner, Jericho High School student William Crugnola, were singled out in the 2014 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology based on their project, titled “Aortic derived mesenchymal stem cells: A novel treatment for atherosclerosis cessation.” The team worked in Molloy College laboratories, studying the immune response of macrophage cells that cause plaque buildup and can contribute to the development of heart disease. By understanding the interaction between this response and a specific line of stem cells found in the heart, researchers hope to discover new ways to treat and cure the condition, known as atherosclerosis.

“It’s very exciting,” said Mazalkova, who was honored with a citation by the Valley Stream village board on Monday. She described her selection as a finalist as a “tremendous honor.”

She wants to be a cardiologist, she said, an interest that took root at an early age due to her mother’s career in the field. When she considered what she wanted to research, heart health was a clear choice. “I automatically wanted to do something related to heart disease,” Mazalkova said, “and after two years we really got into the topic and got more depth.”

Atherosclerosis is estimated to affect 4.6 million people in the U.S., and contributes to a host of life-threatening conditions.

Mazalkova will present her research to leading scientists at Carnegie Mellon University in late November. Regional winners will then be invited to compete in the national competition at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., in December.

The Siemens event bills itself as the premier science research competition in the nation for high school students, its purpose being to “foster intensive research that improves students’ understanding of the value of scientific study and informs their consideration of future careers in these disciplines,” according to the organization.

Katie’s father, Boris, attended the board meeting to see his daughter honored. “It’s nice to know that your work is not only appreciated by your family,” he said, “but the village and people around here, too.”