Newburgh Free Academy, North Campus hosted their 7^th Annual Science Research Symposium earlier this month. The evening began with a poster presentation by several student researchers, followed by introduction and welcome by Mr. Matteo Doddo and Ms. Kristin Oberle. Diana Ramos and Stephanie Alvarado were the masters of ceremony.

The keynote speaker was Toby G Rossman, Ph.D.. Dr. Rossman spoke about the topic: Where there’s smoke, there’s toxicity; Climate change makes it worse.

The Science Research Symposium is coordinated by Ms. Kristin Oberle, Forensic Science/Biology teacher and Instructor of Science Research at NFA North Campus.

Student presenters included:

The Effects of Animal-Assisted therapy on Anxiety in a Long-term care facility

By: Josh Fuentes

Advisor: Dr. Victoria Romano, DPN, CNRP, CN-P

Honors & Awards:

• Attended JSHS 2018

The Entourage Effect: The Marijuana Cannabinoid Effect on Epilepsy and Seizure Patients

By: Kiara McBean

Advisor: Glenn Geher Ph.D SUNY New Paltz

Honors & Awards:

• Attended JSHS 2018

Veterans and Horses: The Value of Equine Therapy for Returning Veterans with PTSD

By: Daniel Hanrahan

Advisor: Dr. Clare Thomas-Pino, Adj Professor UMaine

Honors & Awards:

Attended JSHS 2018 & 2019

Received US Air Force Award for Outstanding Science Fair Project.

Technology Assisting in Smoking Withdrawal

By: Andrew Gomez

Advisor: Smitha Kakkuzhi

Honors & Awards:

• Attended JSHS 2018

Toxicity studies of silica nanoparticles on Escherichia coli
By: Adam Amer

Advisors: LTC Chi Nguyen Ph.D USMA,

Mr. Ross Topliff M.S. Chemical Engineering

Honors & Awards:

• Approved by Scientific Review Committee
• Spoke at JSHS 2019

   

Science Research in the High School is a three-year experience that affords students the unique opportunity to become part of the professional research community as high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Over three years, students conduct unique research, complete a research paper, and participate in scientific competitions. Students enrolled in the science research program will:

• Select and investigate a topic of interest
• Develop skills in traditional and online bibliographic searching
• Conduct extensive background reading on their topic, progressing from popular literature to professional scientific papers
• Regularly present to classmates and various audiences, always adhering to the scientific method using the following elements:

• Introduction
• Review of Literature
• Statement of Objective and/or Hypothesis
• Methodology/Protocol
• Analysis and Presentation of Results
• Discussion of implications of findings
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgements
• Bibliographic citations
• Communicate with professionals – contact the authors of the journal articles being studied. Establish a dialogue with several researchers, eventually asking one to serve as a research advisor.
• Under the guidance of the mentor/advisor and science research instructor, an original research experiment is designed and conducted. Results are statistically analyzed, implications are discussed, and conclusions are drawn. A final research paper is written.
• Final research papers are entered into regional, statewide, and international science competitions and may be presented for professional publication.

In addition to advanced research skills, students develop numerous life skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, time management, and public speaking. All science research students advancing in the program beyond their sophomore year are eligible to apply for college credit through SUNY Albany’s University in the High School Program with successful completion of research requirements.

More about keynote speaker Toby G. Rossman, Ph.D.:

Toby G. Rossman, Ph.D. held the rank of tenured Professor of Environmental Medicine at New York University School of Medicine (now called NYU Langone Health) until 2009, when she ended her tenure.  She was also Director of the Molecular and Genetic Toxicology research program. She has taught since 1968. She received research funding for the genetic effects of environmental carcinogens for over 30 years, mainly from the NIH.  She has published over 120 peer-reviewed articles and edited one book.  She was on the editorial boards of four Scientific Journals, and is a member of the American Chemical Society, Environmental Mutagen Society, Society of Toxicology, and American Association for Cancer Research. She consulted for the NIH, USEPA and is currently a part time NYU Professor, Director of the Hudson Valley Science Café, lecturer at public venues, and a consultant to the legal profession on toxic torts.

Science Research Alumni News

Kayla Dubois '15: Senior - Union College, Biomedical Engineering major, Electrical Engineering minor, member of Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, Dean’s List graduating summa cum laude in June

Kaila Helm '16: Junior - University of Pennsylvania, Biological Basis of Behavior with Language Certification in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies, Dean’s List Award 2016-2017

Katie Jones '16: Junior - Johnson & Wales University, Criminal Justice and Applied Psychology double major with a minor in business, member of National Alpha Phi Sigma criminal justice honor society, 4.0 GPA

Phoebe Rutaquio '16: Junior - SUNY New Paltz Psychology major and Psychobiology concentration

Jazmin Phipps '17: Junior - SUNY Oneonta. Senator and Attorney General of the Student Association, Vice President of the Political Science Club, and Treasurer of the Mock Trial Team.

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!