The
300 scholars
and their schools will be awarded $2,000 each.
“I could not be more excited about this,” said Egelberg, who has been a member of the NRHS Science Research Program throughout his high school years. “With all the summer research I’ve done, and after hyper-focusing on science all through high school, to have the results of all that work be recognized in this way is just incredible.”
The scholars were chosen from 1,993 applications representing high schools in 49 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and eight countries. The top scholars hail from 39 states and Guam. They were chosen based on their exceptional research skills, commitment to academics, innovative thinking and promise as scientists.
Egelberg conducted research while interning at Northeastern University in Boston last summer. His project, titled “Flagella-Mediated Antibiotic Persistence: A Scientific Enigma,” looked at “persister cells,” which are bacteria that resist even strong antibiotics, allowing chronic ailments to linger. Egelberg found that random, spasmodic movements of the cells cause persisters to form and allow them to withstand the antibiotics.
He hopes to continue the research to find out more about the connection between the cells’ movements and their ability to survive.
“I am incredibly proud of Jake,” said the Science Research Program’s director, Jeff Wuebber. “The goal of this competition is to find the students with the best potential to become successful scientists. Jake has worked tremendously hard and he is a model of a student who goes above and beyond.”
The Regeneron Science Talent Search celebrates the hard work and novel discoveries of young scientists who bring a fresh perspective to significant global challenges.
“We are inspired by the incredible energy and passion of every scholar who is using research to make the world a better place,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science & the Public
.
On Jan. 22, 40 of the scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. Finalists receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in March, when they will compete for more than $1.8 million in awards provided by Regeneron.
In New Rochelle, District leaders praised Egelberg for reaching the level in the competition announced this week.
“I want to congratulate Jake on an incredible accomplishment,” said NRHS Interim Principal Joseph Starvaggi. “This honor in such a prominent competition shows that he stands with the brightest in the nation. I look forward to following his future successes.”
“This is a wonderful achievement by one of our New Rochelle High School students,” said Superintendent Dr. Laura Feijóo. “Jake’s honor is a great example of what hard work and dedication can accomplish.”
Egelberg said the Science Research Program at NRHS helped him and other students, not just in the research, but in teaching them how to approach scientists with far more experience and how to act in a professional setting.
“If I wasn’t in this program, I never would have emailed a professor at Northeastern University and asked to intern in his lab,” Egelberg said. “This program taught me that was possible.”
