Lynbrook Student Semi-Finalist in Intel Talent Search

Lynbrook High School senior Andrew Meersand has been named a semifinalist in the Intel Science Talent Search, according to a school news release.

He is the seventh Lynbrook semifinalist named in the past 16 years.

More than 1,700 high school seniors from 43 states and 512 high schools submitted research projects this year to the competition, which recognizes 300 semifinalists each year, the release states.

As a semifinalist, Meersand will be awarded $1,000, with an additional $1,000 going to Lynbrook High School to support STEM education.

He also has a chance to become one of 40 finalists who will be announced Jan. 20, according to the release.

Finalists will travel to Washington, D.C. to compete for top awards in March.

Meersand’s research project, titled “A Novel Soft Robotic Grasper Using Pneumatic Network Bending Actuators,” involves developing and testing a novel robotic hand-like prosthesis that works using pneumatic fingers, which move using motion created by expanding compressed air, according to the release. This soft robotic grasper has applications in industry and medicine.

He developed his research at the Harvard Biodesign Lab at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences under the mentorship of Dr. Donal Holland, the release states.

In addition to his involvement in science research, Meersand is captain of the robotics team, a member of the Mathletes team and a contributor to the school newspaper, Horizon. He has also been a writer and performer for his school’s Class Night skits, most recently playing the Cowardly Lion in “The Wizard of Oz,” according to the release.

Meersand is among 12 Lynbrook High School seniors who submitted Intel research project reports that spanned fields as varied as robotics, environmental science, biochemistry, nanotechnology, physics, behavioral science, neurology and psychology, according to the release. They worked under the guidance of science research teacher David Shanker.

“I have worked very hard in the research program over the past four years to get to this point and I am thrilled that it has paid off,” said Meersand in the news release. “I would like to express my gratitude to my parents and to Mr. Shanker for their guidance and support through the entire process.”

The Intel STS is said to be the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science competition, providing an important forum for original research that is recognized and reviewed by a national jury of professional scientists, according to the release.

[Photo courtesy of Lynbrook Public Schools]