Earth Science Experience

  • NYU Girls in STEM—Grade 12 

    • Linked variations in gene expression and mutations to certain characteristics within the tumor microenvironment, such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte ratio

    • Gathered data from TCGA Pan Atlas Center and TIL-Maps-23 datasets of each specific patients

    • Determined that there are certain variations in altered oncogenes that significantly correlate with variations within the tumor microenvironment that can evolve with precision oncology

    • Final Grade at GSTEM: A

    • Plan to submit this work to ISEF

  • Hofstra Summer Science Research Program—Grade 12

    • Analyzed the recent unmasking effect in China, which refers to the decrease in pollution associated with an increase in temperatures, indicating the reflective properties of certain pollution

    • Found that sunspots have no effect on the current rise in temperature being observed, indicating it is atmospheric changes

    • Found there is strong negative correlation between certain air quality variables such as CO, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2, showing a relatively new observation

  • Intern, George Mason University—Summer, Grade 11

    • Goal of research project was to help better understand cloud feedback systems that are currently the leading cause of uncertainty when predicting global temperature in regard to increasing greenhouse gasses

    • Worked on sea-surface temperature gradient in the equatorial Pacific in response to doubling concentration of CO2 and various cloud feedback systems

    • Analyzed the output of a Community Earth Systems Model 1.2 using JupyterLab Notebook and coding in Python

    • Additionally, ran a new box model  to determine if it is able to stimulate the same conditions and gain similar outputs

    • Learned how to code and how a lab communicates

    • Worked with graduate students and postdocs

    • Paper published in the GMU student journal, “Evaluating the Effect of Low-Cloud Feedback Strength on the Transient Response of Pacific Sea Surface Temperature Patterns Under CO2 Warming”

  • Treasurer, Science Research Department—Grade 11

    • Approved monthly research expenses by going through credit card statements, and receipts

    • Allowed for smooth disbursing interactions

    • Approved over $6,500 in funding for the 2023-2024 school year of science research equipment

  • Alternative Energy Engineering Student, Summer at Brown University—Grade 10

    • Alternative Energy Engineering course, which discussed the history of energy, including the Industrial Revolution up to modern-day energy resourcing, use of fossil fuels, and alternative energy sources

    • Learned how to work and engineer new materials, including building a Stirling engine motor, air-powered car, joule thief, and used Tesla coils

School Research Projects

  • Independent Study, Advancing Oceanic Carbon Sequestration: Implementation of PEG-modified Iron Nanoparticles for Enhanced Microalgal Proliferation—Grade 11

    • Under the supervision of Ms. Huenger (June 2023 - Present)

    • Studying the effects of different nutrients in oceans to anthropogenically cause phytoplankton blooms to sequester CO2 in the ocean for hundreds of years

      • Created an Artificial Oceanic chamber to measure carbon dioxide concentrations over various mediums with diatoms and certain types of nutrients

      • Determined that PEG-modified iron nanoparticles sequestered a significant amount of CO2 in comparison to normal iron nanoparticles and the Galápagos Islands region is an ideal spot to implement oceanic fertilization

    • Awards:

      • W.A.C. Lighting Invitational Science Fair 

        • 1st place in Environmental Science

      • New York Science and Engineering Fair

        •  2nd place in Environmental Engineering

      • Long Island Science Congress Fair

        • High Honors

      • Outstanding Work in Science Research

      • NOAA Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award

      • National Association of Chinese American Physicians Science Fair Semifinalist

  • Independent Study:  Calcium Carbonate and Aluminum Oxide: Potential Alternative Particles for Applications in Solar Geoengineering—Grade 10

    • Under the supervision of Ms. Heunger

    • Studied the different types of reflectivity of aluminum oxide and calcium carbonate in order to determine which would be more applicable for solar geoengineering applications

    • Determined that calcium carbonate was the most when tested in similar conditions to the lower stratosphere as well as concentrations.

    • Awards:

      • W.A.C. Lighting Invitational Science Fair

        • 2nd place in Environmental Science

      • New York Science and Engineering Fair

        • RICOH Sustainable Development Award

        • NOAA Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award

        • 3rd place in Earth and Environmental Sciences

      • Long Island Science Congress Fair

        • Highest Honors

        • Best in Category: Earth-Space-Energy Category

        • Lloyd K. Chanin Memorial Award

        • State Science Congress Nominee

        • Directors Award

  • Independent Study: Which type of cool roof is most effective for maximizing the amount of heat reflected and, therefore, minimizing energy use?—Grade 9

    • Under the Supervision of Mr. Defilippis

    • Studied the different effects of different roofing materials in urban environments and how they affect the climate and energy usage per household

    • Study determined that solar panels are the most environmentally friendly solution, although they are impacted heavily within the area depending on the peak sun hours, while white roofing materials are best at combating urban heat islands.

    • Awards:

      • W.A.C. Lighting Invitational Science Fair: 2nd place in Environmental Science 

Model United Nations Experience and Accolades 

  • President, Model UN, Officer Webmaster—Grades 9-12

    • Run Manhasset Model UN program

    • Create meeting plans once a week and meet with other officers to discuss upcoming events and simulations

    • Focus on environmental discussions during conferences

  • Accolades

    • Grade 11

      • Herricks Model UN Conference: Outstanding Delegate (2nd)

    • Grade 10

      • Herricks Model UN: Best Delegate

      • NY State Science Congress Nominee

      • CESIMS: Outstanding Delegate (2nd)

      • PortMUNC IX: Honorable Mention (2nd)

      • METMUNC: 2nd Place

      • MET Model UN Conference in ECOSOC: Representing Switzerland, 2nd Place

    • Grade 9

      • NY State Science Congress Nominee

      • Herricks Model UN Conference XVII: UN Environment Program Best Delegate

      • Manhasset Model UN Crisis Simulation: Best Delegate

Writing and Newspaper Endeavors

Community Service and Engagement

  • Volunteer, Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer—Grades 9-12

    • Focused on helping current patients and cancer survivors

    • Planted flowers across Long Island at patients’ houses

    • Make care packets and send them out

    • Volunteered and ran a 5k fundraiser for women’s coalition

    • Make ornaments during holidays and sell them to raise funds 

  • Co-President (12), Member (10-11), Green Club—Grades 10-12

    • Talk about climate change to middle school students

    • Create climate projects to engage them in conversations about current issues

    • Design logo and sell reusable water bottles

  • Volunteer, Manhasset Bay Protection Committee—Summer, Grade 12

    • Help run tent and events and coordinate outreach

    • Work on social media outreach

    • Help garden and plant at Long Island Science Congress

  • Member, Junior Booster Club—Grades 9-12

    • Participate in local events to continue to enhance community spirit

    • Help promote sports games by creating posters

  • Member, Key Club—Grades 9-12

    • Participate in various community service events

  • Treasurer (Grade 11), Student- Athlete Leadership Team—Grade 9-12

    • Visited classrooms of 6th graders at elementary schools to teach them the importance of sportsmanship and saying no to drugs/alcohol

    • Underwent athletes helping athletes training

  • Volunteer, Deeds4Needs Tutor—Grade 9

    • Partnered with a young girl to help her complete her homework and study

    • Created to help give underprivileged students access to educational help

    • Met weekly on Zoom

  • Received Presidential Service Award for 50 hours of service to my community

  • Received Service and Citizenship Award for completing service to nonprofit organizations (85 hours)

  • Honor Societies

    • National Honor Society

    • Spanish Honor Society

    • Executive Board Member, Science Honor Society

    • Social Studies Honor Society

    • Gold Member (10), English Honor Society

      • Math Honor Society

Athletics

  • Varsity Volleyball—Grades 9-12

    • All County Player (12th)

    • Joined Varsity in 10th

    • Daily practices and weekly games

    • Starter

    • Court Captain (12)

  • Varsity Golf—Grades 9-12

    • Top 6 player (starter, junior and senior year)

  • Beach Volleyball (B&B)—Summer, Grades 9-11

    • Placed top 3 x7 at regional doubles tournaments

  • Club Volleyball (B&B)—Grades 9-10

    • MVP x2

    • Best Server x4

    • Best Leader