At the John F. Kennedy High School “Jam the Gym” basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 30, Nassau County Legislator Seth I. Koslow (D – Merrick) honored a pair of impressive young scholars who excelled in the Regeneron Science Talent Search competition.
The semifinalists – seniors Cole Wasserman and Claire Schwartz – each received a Nassau County Legislature Citation from Legislator Koslow at center court during halftime. From Regeneron, they each received $2,000 for themselves and $2,000 to support science and research at their school.
Wasserman, who is also Kennedy’s class of 2024 salutatorian, investigated APC-Mediated Expansion of hPSC-Derived Natural Killer Cells - research concerning cell signaling pathways in the human immune system. Meanwhile, Schwartz focused on The Administration of Sulforaphane via Broccoli Sprouts Ameliorates Parkinson's Disease Phenotypes in a Drosophila melanogaster Model, thereby probing the effect of diet on Parkinson's disease.
“Cole’s innovative research in immunology and Claire’s novel investigation on Parkinson’s Disease earned them well-deserved accolades and showcased the transformative power of the public schools that equip our students to excel,” Legislator Koslow said. “Congratulations to these outstanding young scholars and all of the Regeneron semifinalists – your achievements will be integral in a brighter future for our entire society.”