Ossining Students Earn Top Awards at SUNY Science Symposium

Four Ossining High School students delivered outstanding performances at the inaugural Science Research Symposium hosted by SUNY Albany on Wednesday, February 26. The event, which featured the top 50 students from science research programs across the state, provided a platform for these young scientists to showcase their original research through 12-minute slide presentations to a panel of judges and peers.

Ossining’s Haley McIntyre secured 1st place, followed by Mary Liguori in 2nd place, and Sofia Magalhães in 3rd place. Alex Lenaghan also presented his research, delivering an impressive performance despite not placing in the top three.

“This event was an extraordinary opportunity for our students to present their research at a high level, and they truly rose to the occasion,” said Angelo Piccirillo, co-director of Ossining High School’s Science Research program. “Their success is a reflection of their intellectual curiosity and perseverance.”

The students’ research was the culmination of years of hard work, guided by experienced teachers and scientist mentors. Each project was carefully reviewed and judged by teams of expert scientists specializing in the respective fields of research.

The projects presented by Ossining’s students tackled critical and diverse scientific questions.

Haley McIntyre’s research, Gender and Forms of Media Alters Adolescent Perceptions Towards Individuals with Mental Illness, explored how media representation influences young people’s views on mental health.

Mary Liguori’s study, A Walk in Nature Shifts Adolescents’ Perceptions of Stress: An Intervention Study, examined the effects of nature exposure on stress levels.

Sofia Magalhães presented Region-Specific Maintenance of Blood Brain Barrier Integrity by Astrocytes: Implications for Selective Vulnerability to Alzheimer’s Disease, which investigated the role of astrocytes in maintaining brain health.

Alex Lenaghan’s study, Early Specialization Maximizes Sport Performance and Athlete Satisfaction, analyzed the impact of early sports specialization on athlete success and personal fulfillment.

“The ability to communicate complex scientific concepts effectively is an invaluable skill,” said Valerie Holmes, co-director of Ossining High School’s Science Research program. “Our students demonstrated both the depth of their knowledge and their ability to engage an audience with their research.”

Ossining High School continues to be a leader in science research education. Recognized as one of the most awarded programs in the nation, OHS consistently produces top-performing scholars who excel in prestigious competitions. The success of these students further cements the school's reputation as a powerhouse in STEM education, inspiring the next generation of scientific leaders.