Rivertowns Science Research Showcase Highlights Student Scholarship

The second annual Rivertowns Senior Science Research Showcase, brought together senior researchers from Hastings, Ardsley, and Dobbs Ferry High Schools. Held at Hastings High School on Tuesday, January 27, the event was dedicated to rigorous inquiry, public presentation, and academic collaboration. The Showcase also reflected a shared regional commitment to sustaining high-level scientific scholarship and celebrating student voice in research.

This year’s event took on added significance. With the Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (JSHS) unable to run due to federal funding constraints, the Showcase preserved a critical component of the science research journey: the formal, slide-based symposium presentation. Educators often refer to the science research “trilogy” as comprising Regeneron STS, which emphasizes intensive scientific writing; WESEF, which highlights poster presentations and live judging; and JSHS, which traditionally provides the structured symposium experience. By sustaining this final element, the Rivertowns Showcase ensures that students can publicly defend their findings, respond to questions, and refine their communication skills, which are essential competencies for emerging scholars.

What began as a collaboration between Hastings and Ardsley expanded this year to include Dobbs Ferry, bringing together more than 50 senior researchers across a wide range of scientific disciplines. The atmosphere throughout the event was one of intellectual curiosity and mutual respect. Students not only presented their own work but also engaged deeply with their peers’ research, asking thoughtful questions and broadening their scientific perspectives.

Hastings High School seniors delivered an exceptional performance. Of Hastings’ 23 participants, 17 earned awards in their respective categories. In Behavioral & Social Sciences, Corina Tucker earned 1st Place, Emmy Swart and Eden Goldman-Wetzler earned 2nd Place, and Tavia Seitz and Francesca Asher earned 3rd Place. Hastings swept Computational Biology, Physics, Chemistry, & Biochemistry, with Emmy Taylor (1st Place), Lyra Kinderlerer (2nd Place), and Rian Kacmarczyk and Henry Sliker (Team – 3rd Place). In Engineering, Computer Science, & Mathematics, Harley Griffin earned 2nd Place and Race Simon earned 3rd Place. David Franco earned 1st Place and Lukas Kovac earned 2nd Place in Environmental Science. Hastings also swept Medicine, Health, & Microbiology, with Siri Rosenberg and Kate Sobol (1st Place), Saffron Alfandre (2nd Place), and Aidan Maloney (3rd Place).

Reflecting on her project and the opportunity to present, Hastings senior Siri Rosenberg shared:

“My research presentation is titled Analyzing the Visuospatial Effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 9/11 World Trade Center Responders. My project examines 9/11 responders with and without PTSD to explore whether trauma-induced PTSD impacts cognitive functioning. I knew I wanted to focus on neuroscience, and my mentor had an excellent dataset, which allowed me to use that data to design and develop my own original research project."

She also emphasized the collaborative spirit of the event, adding, “It was super awesome to hear about other people’s projects. I got to learn so many new things that I hadn’t heard about before.” Praising the preparation she received, Siri noted, “Mrs. Shandroff and Ms. Barenfeld did such an incredible job preparing us and teaching us how to present, that these presentation skills they've helped instill in me will continue to benefit me as I present pretty much anything in the future!”

Ardsley High School seniors also delivered an outstanding showing. Among Ardsley’s 18 participants, Juliet Puliafico earned 1st Place in Behavioral & Social Sciences, Zayaan Rabbani took 1st Place in Computer Science, and Mioko Martin earned 2nd Place in Medicine & Health. Ardsley students swept Cellular & Molecular Biology, with Max Zhou placing 1st, Avi Medar 2nd, and Diya Sharma 3rd. Additional honors included Khushi Karthikeyan earning 3rd Place in Physics & Astronomy, and a full sweep of Plant & Animal Science by Ayla Kowalsky (1st Place), Kiarra Parikka (2nd Place), and Maya Raman (3rd Place).

Dobbs Ferry High School students also earned significant recognition. In Behavioral & Social Sciences, Sidhartha Paul won 1st Place, Mira Romano earned 2nd Place, and Eleanor Walker took 3rd Place. Hudson Bayer earned 3rd Place in Environmental Sciences, and Delbar AfsharGhotli received 3rd Place in Medicine and Health.

Ayla Kowalsky reflected on the experience, sharing that the Showcase “was a very welcome opportunity to share what I love and listen to other people talk about their passions. The room moderators, younger science research students, were very professional, and judges asked thoughtful questions. The size of the event felt big enough to simulate competition and small enough to stay organized and smoothly run. This kind of practice, with a sense of competition but not too much pressure, is perfect preparation for larger competitions down the road.”

The Rivertowns Senior Science Research Showcase stands as a powerful example of how schools and communities can collaborate to sustain opportunity. By preserving this essential capstone experience, the Showcase continues to empower young researchers to ask bold questions, advocate for their work, and contribute thoughtfully to the broader scientific conversation.