Student Scientists Take Center Stage at Research Symposium

 

Research topics spanned behavioral science to biology to physics to computer science, highlighting students’ hard work, passion and curiosity that defines the Science Research Program under the direction of Kristina Gremski, upper school science teacher.

“This year’s symposium seemed to be the best one yet,” Gremski exclaimed. “It was great to see how the number of students in Science Research has grown in the past four years and the overall quality of the posters also keeps increasing.”

Ella Shapiro ’26 presented “Analyzing Levels of Senescence Biomarkers in Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant Patients” and explained, “I explored how sirolimus, a common drug used to prevent organ rejection, might reduce inflammation and cellular aging in patients with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a common and serious complication following stem cell transplants.”

She has always been fascinated by the medical sciences, especially the intersection of immunology and aging. “This project came from a great opportunity I had to work in a supportive lab environment with an amazing mentor who helped guide me toward this impactful research,” Shapiro said. 

Inspired by her father, who works in cancer research, Viva Topper-Kroog ’26 spoke enthusiastically about her project, “Overcoming RASmut Resistance in Multiple Myeloma by Targeting Germinal Center Kinase with TL4-12.” 

“Multiple myeloma (MM) is a blood cancer affecting about 34,000 people in the U.S. and is difficult to cure, especially in patients with RAS mutations,” Topper-Kroog said. “My research study tested a new inhibitor, TL4-12, which blocks a protein called Germinal Center Kinase (GCK) that helps MM cells survive. Blocking GCK reduced cancer cell growth and key survival proteins, suggesting it could be a promising treatment and target for RAS Mutation MM.”

Senior Aaron Weinberg, who recently won two awards at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the largest international high school STEM research competition in the world, also presented at the Masters symposium. His research “Characterizing the RyR2-Mediated Cardiac Pathophysiology of COVID-19 in Rodent Models” earned 3rd place in the biomedical and health sciences category and the Air Force Research Laboratory award.

Gremski said, “Just making it to ISEF is a big deal. It was very exciting to see Aaron win two different awards, including one of the grand awards. He worked hard to gain this level of success and knows his research topic at a PhD level. I’m very proud of him!”

While the symposium serves as a send-off for the seniors, the presence of middle school students interested in science research ensures a bright future for the program. Sixth grader James Tustian received a public speaking award at the recent Westchester Regional Middle School Science and Engineering Fair (WRMSSEF) for his presentation of “How Do Plants Affect Soil Erosion?” Tustian’s research was part of his interdisciplinary study of the Hudson River with middle school science teacher Dan Russo.

This is good news for Gremski, who noted, “Being a good scientist is not just about the specific research, but how well you can communicate the research to others.”