Alzheimer's Research Earns High School North Student Top Honor

Not only is Jacob Kupferberg going to represent High School North at a national science symposium next month, he's the first student from Ocean County to do so. 

A senior, Kupferberg is one of 30 enrolled in the school's Authentic Science Research class, a program that allows students to focus on a specific topic over three years. Kupferberg's Alzheimer's research was recognized last month at the Monmouth Junior Science Symposium, which means he will travel to Ohio in May for the national gathering.

"This is really, truly, original research that no one has done," said Pamela Dixon, the director of the Authentic Science Research program at High School North who has taught Kupferberg in the class for the past three years. 

"It's exciting that no one from our school has done this before," Kupferberg said of his recognition. 

Using nematodes, which produce a chemical found in brains affected by Alzheimer's, Kupferberg's research examined the effects coffee has on the disease.

"You can provide a very potent protection from preventing Alzheimer's from happening," Kupferberg said of his findings. The research could lead to a safe, inexpensive and effective preventative to Alzheimer's. 

All research work is done in Dixon's classroom in a program that, save for some northern New Jersey school districts, is unique to Toms River Regional. Students also work with PhD research advisers to help guide them through the process. 

"I'm really proud of him. He did a really great job," Dixon said. 

Though he is still considering his post-high school plans, Kupferberg — an Eagle Scout who has participated in sports and volunteered his time — said that he plans to pursue bioengineering.

"I do want to continue doing research in college," he said. 

Other students in the class are working on researching a range of topics from diabetes, to microbial fuel cells, and even how Superstorm Sandy has affected water conditions in the Barnegat Bay, according to Dixon. 

"They're so varied, because it's what they're interested in," she said.