2 Toms River Students Earn Spots At International Science Fair

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Two Toms River North students will be presenting their scientific research at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the district announced.

Freshman Kaitlyn Culbert and senior Giovanna Onofrietti, both students in the Toms River Regional Schools' Authentic Science Research program, advanced to the international competition after they medaled at the Delaware Valley Science Fair that ended April 10.

Three other Toms River Authentic Science Research students — Julietta Onofrietti, Jake Rice and Vivianna Onofrietti — were honored at the Delaware Valley fair as well, said Christine Girtain, who directs the Authentic Science Research program along with Dr. Marybeth Kretz.

Students in the Authentic Science Research program conduct graduate-level research on a variety of topics, Girtain said. The Delaware Valley Science Fair, one of the oldest and largest fairs in the country, "embraces a philosophy is that students learn science by doing science," the science fair's website said.

The Delaware Valley fair, held virtually this year, includes 900 to 1,000 students from Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and South Jersey to present their research projects to local professionals. Students compete by grade in 13 categories, and all first-place category winners in each grade compete against each other for the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards in each grade's fair. Medal winners in each grade move on to the International Science and Engineering Fair.

Culbert earned the Gold Medal among freshmen, making her one of the top four students among all high school students in the Delaware Valley competition. Her research was "Breakthroughs in Honey Bee Health: Continuous-Release Mist Diffusion of Thymol-Based Essential Oils.

Giovanna Onofrietti earned the Silver Medal among seniors. Her research was "Effects of Bioactive Compounds of Berry Seed Extract on Cariogenic and Periopathogenic Bacteria."

This is the first time any Toms River Regional Schools student has advanced to the international science fair, Girtain said. (Ariel Baiano of Toms River, who attended the Marine Academy Of Technology, Engineering and Science in Manahawkin was a finalist in 2018 and 2020 at the International Science and Engineering Fair.)

In addition to the gold medal, Culbert received $100 for placing first in the environmental category among freshmen, and was the first runner-up for the American Entomological Society's Calvert Award that honors outstanding accomplishments in insect-related study, preferably relating to local species. She received $50, a certificate, a 1-year membership in the American Entomological Society and an invitation to the group's spring meeting.

Giovanna Onofrietti received $100 for winning the biochemistry category, and also received the Eastern Regional Research Center Future Scientist Award, which honors students "for having meritorious projects dealing with agricultural research." She also received a $15,000 scholarship offer from Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Jake Rice, a Toms River South senior, placed first among seniors in the physics category with his research "Effect of Nonconductive Sleeve on Muon Interaction Rate Biochemistry," receiving a $100 award. Rice, who is headed to Johns Hopkins University in the fall to study astrophysics, also received a $15,000 scholarship offer from Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Julietta Onofrietti of Toms River North placed second among juniors in the botany category for her research "Fruit Seed Extract Effects on Pathogens Prevalent in Oral Disease." She was awarded $75, and also received a $30,000 scholarship offer from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, and a $15,000 scholarship offer from Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Vivianna Onofrietti of Toms River North was third among juniors in the microbiology category with her research, "Erythritol and Aloe Vera Gel Effects on Oral Bacteria in Early Childhood Caries." She received $50.

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2021 begins in May. Judging will take place from May 3-6 via video conferencing.

Students in the Authentic Science Program have participated in genetic sequencing research, the effects of water quality on oysters, and presented neurological research, Girtain said.

"The support for our ASR program by the administration, faculty, parents, local specialists & Central Ocean Rotary Club have been key elements," she said. "(We) are very thankful for the continued support."

NOTE: This article has been updated to clarify that Kaitlyn Culbert and Giovanna Onofrietti are the first students from the Toms River Regional Schools, not the first from Toms River.

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