Congratulations to Sayville High School Junior Aneri Kinariwalla who is one of 93 students from 25 states selected to compete as a Regional Finalist in this year’s Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, the nation’s premier research competition for high school students.

Aneri, a junior in Sayville’s Research in Science & Engineering Program, and her partner Evan Chernack from South Side High School worked together at Stony Brook University (Garcia Program) this past summer conducting stem cell research from dental pulp under the mentorship of Dr. Miriam Rafailovich, Dr. Marcia Simon, and Dr. Chueh Chang.

Their project entitled “A Study of the Role of the ROCK Kinase Pathway in Dental Pulp Stem Cell Differentiation and Mineralization” focused on pathway signaling that may lead to improved vascularization and angiogenesis of bone for people with musculoskeletal disease, periodontal disease, and bone fractures. This research has the potential to optimize the effectiveness of in-vivo bone grafting which currently has many limitations.

Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, president of the Siemens Foundation stated that “The recognition they have won demonstrates that engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) is an investment well worth making.” Aneri and Evan’s research falls within the top 3% of Siemens research submissions this year and will compete in the regional finalist round at Carnegie Mellon University November 16-17^th. 

Best of luck to these young aspiring scientists.