Hills Student Takes Top Prize At European Young Scientist Contest

Half Hollow Hills is proud to announce that High School West senior Poojan Pandya and his research project partner Leo Li Takemaru from Ward Melville High School earned one of the European Union’s top prizes for young scientists in Sofia, Bulgaria, on September 17. The students will share one of the four first place prizes of 7000 euros for their research on HIV proteins that could potentially be used as part of anti-HIV therapies.

Pandya and Takemaru were the only participants in this international science competition to represent the United States. The winners were selected from among 154 promising young scientists aged 14 to 20 from schools in 40 countries, including European schools. Overall, they presented one hundred projects at the 31st edition of the EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS).

“Attending EUCYS was truly a fantastic experience, mostly because I met so many talented individuals from all around the world who are like-minded and passionate about science!” said Pandya. “Winning the first prize feels amazing because it validates the countless hours we put into our project and science in general.”

Nearly 37 million people are infected with HIV worldwide, and one million people die of AIDS-related illnesses each year. As of today, there is no cure, and current medications are frequently associated with severe side effects. Pandya’s research explored the role of a specific protein in HIV budding and how that protein may be a viable target for potential antiviral therapeutics because it is not present in the majority of adult human organs. The research mentor for the project was Feng-Qian Li, an associate professor of research in the pharmacology department at Stony Brook University.

Pandya added, “I’m very thankful for my science teachers and mentors in the school district who helped inspire my love for science and helped me with my project, especially Dr. Lake, Mrs. Tjersland, and Mrs. Archdeacon.”

The participants in the 31st EU Contest for Young Scientists had all previously won first prizes in their home countries' national science competitions in their specific fields to advance to this competition. The projects covered a broad spectrum of scientific areas, including biology, physics, chemistry, computing, social sciences, environment, mathematics, materials, engineering and medicine. Pandya finished in 1st place and "Best in Category" in Microbiology at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix during May of this year.

“Our academic research program is designed to help students like Poojan explore their questions about the world around them while developing the research skills that will prepare them for higher education,” said Dr. Patrick Harrigan, superintendent of schools in Half Hollow Hills. “We are so proud of his amazing accomplishment!”

The European Union Contest for Young Scientists was set up by the European Commission in 1989 to encourage co-operation and exchange between young scientists and to give them an opportunity to be guided by some of Europe's most prominent researchers. The contest seeks to support national efforts to attract young people to study science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and to eventually choose careers in science and research. The number of participating young scientists has grown from 53 in the first competition in 1989 to an average of 150 a year.

“I warmly congratulate the winners of this year’s contest on their outstanding achievement,” said Carlos Moedas, the European Union Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation. “I am convinced that we will see many of the 154 participants hitting the headlines in the coming years with breakthrough discoveries and innovations.”

An education-oriented community with high academic expectations, the Half Hollow Hills Central School District is located in a residential area of 50,000 people in the central part of Long Island, approximately 40 miles from New York City. Providing for the education of almost 8,000 students, the school district has five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Half Hollow Hills High Schools are fully accredited by the New York State Department of Education. The district is committed to providing all students with opportunities to excel in academics, athletics and the arts.