On March 1, 2025, nearly 70 students from over 74 high schools across Long Island and New York City gathered at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell to compete in the seventh annual Long Island Brain Bee.

The Long Island Brain Bee is the first stage of a nationwide competition dedicated to brain sciences. Winners of this regional contest earn the opportunity to advance to the National Brain Bee Championship, where they will vie for a chance to represent the United States at the International Brain Bee.

The competition consists of two rigorous rounds. The first is a multiple-choice exam based on "Brain Facts," a publication by the Society for Neuroscience. The second round is a hands-on laboratory practical, in which students analyze and engage with real human brain specimens, identifying anatomical structures and their functions.

The event provides students with both conceptual and hands-on experience in neuroscience, exposing them to various aspects of brain anatomy and function. It serves as an opportunity for participants to deepen their knowledge and potentially spark an interest in careers in brain sciences or medicine.

This year’s top three competitors were:

1. Isabella Fong, Great Neck South High School – First Place

2. Vincent Foschino, Island Trees High School – Second Place

3. Soha Jhaveri, Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School – Third Place

Fong will now move on to compete against other regional champions at the National Brain Bee Championship at Rutgers University on May 3-4.

In addition to the competition, the Zucker School of Medicine provided interactive sessions led by medical professionals, offering students a deeper exploration into brain science. One session focused on diagnosing neurological diseases, providing participants with hands-on exposure to real-world medical challenges.

The event mirrors the Zucker School of Medicine’s Structure curriculum by allowing students to explore the brain through multiple perspectives. Participants examined authentic brain specimens, surgical videos, and medical imaging while interacting with professionals in brain science and healthcare. It provided a unique opportunity for aspiring medical professionals to connect with medical students, physicians, and faculty.

As the Long Island Brain Bee champion, Fong has also earned a prestigious summer internship at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. She will conduct research and complete a summer project on a neuroscience topic of her choice, gaining hands-on experience in a research environment.