By Mike Caputo
Hagler has performed extensive research in an attempt to find a method to stop asthma before symptoms start. Even the United Nations has shown interest in the local scientist's work. Hagler, a senior at Rambam Mesivta High School in Lawrence, was one of seven finalists from the Five Towns who participated in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, May 13-19 in Albuquerque, N.M.
Student scientists conducted studies for several months with the guidance of Lawrence High School science teacher Rebecca Iseroff as well as various science professionals. The Intel Science and Engineering Fair is the world's largest pre-college celebration of science, Iseroff said. More than 1,500 regional finalists from more than 50 nations competed for scholarships, tuition grants, internships and scientific field trips.
Iseroff attributed the award-winning projects to the students' diligent work. "It doesn't happen from nothing," she said. "They all work hours and hours and nights and days. This has been throughout the entire year."
Danielle Lent of Cedarhurst and Emily Levine of Great Neck, both seniors at Stella K. Abraham School in Hewlett Bay Park, admitted that time is something that they don't have much of, but they still find ways to stay involved in other things beyond the lab. "Just because we don't have time for anything, I still did a lot of stuff," said Levine.
Levine and Lent, who have been spending the majority of their hours working on methods to recycle plastics, still find ways to stay involved in other activities such as the yearbook and Model Congress.
Like Hagler, Levine and Lent have been contacted about applying their studies to the real world. At the Intel fair, an official working for the Chilean government approached the two high school seniors about applying their concepts to the South American nation's plastics problem. Both plan to attend Yeshiva University in Manhattan after a year of study in Israel.
Stacy Feinsot, a Lawrence High School senior, has been doing immunology research since seventh grade. During that time, she realized that she wanted to apply the research she conducted on fish to humans. Her project aims to combat organ transplant failure through the synthesis of a peptide that she hopes to develop into an orally administered medication. Feinsot performed her research at the University of Pennsylvania, and she plans to return there as a student in the fall.
A contribution to the medical field was also the purpose of HAFTR junior Alex Ramek's project with Jericho High School junior Adam Fields. Ramek and Fields came up with two techniques to diagnose cancer at the single-cell level, which would lead to earlier detection of the disease. The partners also created a system that could eliminate many of the side effects of chemotherapy.
Ramek plans to continuing his research at SUNY-Stony Brook.
HAFTR senior Daniel Katz took a similar route in studying cancer cells, but applied a keen interest in nanotechnology. He developed a method of synthesizing nanoparticles that are highly toxic to cancer cells, creating a "nanotherapy" that could eliminate many of chemotherapy's side effects. "You can obtain extraordinary properties from otherwise ordinary materials," said Katz.
Katz is so captivated with the nano concept that he hopes to open his own nanotechnology company after he studies at Cornell University.
HAFTR Senior Jacob Loewenstein took more of an industrial approach with his partner, Brienne Ashley Kugler, a senior at Jericho High. The Princeton-bound Loewenstein said that he and Kugler outlined difficulties in the production of circuitry, a crucial part of modern technology. "The problem is that current methods of producing circuitry are problem-ridden, from an industrial standpoint," said Loewenstein. "It is extremely expensive and very inefficient."
The partners devised a cost-effective and environmentally friendly technique to produce micro-circuit boards. At the Intel fair, Loewenstein and Kugler got to know one of the judges, who happens to be the inventor of the laptop computer. He told the students that they had actually resolved some of the issues he had been struggling with.
The seven students are the largest group of finalists from the Five Towns that Iseroff has had since her involvement began in 2001.
Throughout the research, the students were aided by professionals in their respective fields. Hagler worked under the close guidance of Dr. Martin Bluth of Downstate Medical Center; Feinsot was mentored by Dr. John Lambris at the University of Pennsylvania; and the other finalists worked with Dr. Miriam Rafailovich of SUNY-Stony Brook.
All came away with prizes. Hagler won first place in the Medicine and Health Sciences category (a $3,500 cash award) and the American Society of Pharmacognosy Award ($500). Levine and Lent won the Ricoh Award for Sustainable Development ($25,000) and the Third Place Grand Award ($1,000). Feinsot won the American Chemical Society Fourth Place Grand Award ($500).
Ramek and Fields were awarded the Team First Place Grand Award ($3,500), the Albany School of Pharmacy of Union University Scholarship ($20,000), the American Society for Clinical Chemistry's First Prize and the National Anti-Vivisection Society's Third Prize. Loewenstein and Kugler took the Team First Place Award in Materials Science and Bioengineering, Best of Category Teams - Physical Science ($8,500) and the Mouvement International por le Loisir Scientifique et Technique Award (and with it a trip to a conference in Durban, South Africa).
Katz won first place in the Materials and Bioengineering Category ($3,500), the Navy and Marine Corps Scholarship ($8,000), the American Vacuum Society Award ($500) and the Patent Office Award.
Comments? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000, ext. 210.
