Ossining Senior Wins Research Prize for Alzheimer’s Study

Sofia Magalhaes, a senior at Ossining High School, has been recognized by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) as the recipient of the 2025 Neuroscience Research Prize for her groundbreaking project, titled “Region-Specific Maintenance of Blood Brain Barrier Integrity by Astrocytes: Implications for Selective Vulnerability to Alzheimer’s Disease.”

The award, which honors outstanding achievements in neuroscience research, places Sofia among the top three high school projects in the nation. Alongside a $1,000 prize and certificate of recognition, Sofia has earned the opportunity to present her findings during a scientific poster session at the AAN’s 77th Annual Meeting in San Diego this April. The event brings together thousands of neurologists and neuroscience professionals and offers a prestigious platform to share her work.

For Sofia, the journey began with a personal connection.

“I was aware of Alzheimer’s Disease because my great-grandmother had it,” she explained. “When I started looking into possible topics during my sophomore year, I discovered connections between Alzheimer’s and a specific type of brain cell called glial cells. My interest kept growing until I eventually contacted my mentor and secured a project to investigate that exact link.”

Her research focused on the role of astrocytes in maintaining the blood-brain barrier and how this function might relate to the vulnerability of specific brain regions to Alzheimer’s Disease. The work required Sofia to dive into complex image analysis, learn coding, and tackle countless challenges.

“Receiving this award meant a lot to me,” she said. “It’s validation that all those hours of work—dealing with bugs, learning new techniques, and analyzing data—actually contributed something meaningful to the field of neuroscience.”

Sofia’s accomplishments are a testament to the rigor of the Ossining Science Research Program, a three-year initiative directed by Angelo Piccirillo and Valerie Holmes. Students in the program engage in graduate-level research, culminating in national and local competition submissions during their senior year. Sofia’s achievement marks the latest success in a long line of award-winning research projects.

“Sofia’s research stands out for its depth and originality,” noted Mr. Piccirillo. “She approached a complex issue with a fresh perspective, and her commitment to solving real-world problems through science is exactly what we strive for in the Science Research Program.”

“Sofia’s achievement is a reflection of her ability to push the boundaries of scientific inquiry,” added Ms. Holmes. Her work in neuroscience showcases her intellectual curiosity and her capacity to bring new insights to a field with such critical importance to society.”

The AAN prize also highlights the role mentorship played in Sofia’s development as a scientist. After connecting with her mentor later than anticipated, Sofia faced initial challenges, including limited lab access.

“Originally, I was only offered a virtual experience, but by the second summer, I negotiated lab access and began commuting to New York City,” she shared. “It was a completely new experience for me, but my mentor guided me through weekly meetings while allowing me to explore independently. It felt like a partnership, and that made me feel like part of something bigger.”

Looking ahead to the AAN Annual Meeting, Sofia is preparing to present her findings to an audience of leading neurologists. Though she admits feeling nervous, her message to the scientific community is clear: “Age doesn’t matter in science. If you dedicate yourself to your passion, you can achieve anything.”

Sofia joins an elite group of Ossining students who have earned this prestigious honor, including Max Christie, Dan Katz, David Shiovitz, Megan Ryan, Sarah Hoffman, and Syed Zaidi. Her success highlights the excellence of Ossining High School’s Science Research Program and the bright future that lies ahead for its students.