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ANUSHA KUMAR - Evaluating the Predictive Influence of Lifestyle Factors on Adolescent Brain Development with ABCD Study®
Adolescence is a critical period of neurodevelopment, marked by structural and functional brain changes that shape cognition, behavior, and mental health. While prior studies have linked lifestyle factors such as sleep and physical activity to brain development, their predictive value remains unclear. Using data from 1,394 participants in the the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM Study (ABCD Study®) (Release 5.1), we applied two machine learning models—a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) and a Random Forest (RF) Regressor—to evaluate whether incorporating lifestyle factors, such as sleep, exercise, height, and weight, improves predictions of volumetric changes across 55 brain regions. Models were trained with and without lifestyle variables, and performance differences were assessed using mean absolute error (MAE) and paired t-tests with false discovery correction. The RF identified ten regions, including the hippocampus, cerebellum, caudate, and superior temporal cortex, as significantly influenced by lifestyle factors, while the MLP identified one region (cerebrospinal fluid). These findings suggest that lifestyle measures contribute meaningful predictive power for modeling adolescent brain development, particularly in regions supporting memory, sensory integration, and motor coordination. Our results reinforce existing literature linking sleep and exercise to structural brain variability and highlight the value of predictive modeling for anticipating neurodevelopmental trajectories.
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AYAn Mehra - Recreation of Functionally Extinct Species from iPSCs: Are We There Yet?
Globally, wildlife populations have declined by 68%. Many megafaunal species (i.e. large land animals) have reduced to populations too small or too genetically eroded to recover naturally. For species like the northern white rhino, which is functionally extinct, the absence of reproductive individuals renders conventional breeding and even most assisted reproductive technologies (ART) ineffective. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a revolutionary technology that enables somatic cells to revert to an undifferentiated state through the addition of specific transcription factors. These cells then can differentiate into other cells of the organism. Their discovery largely negated the need for ethically and logistically challenging embryonic stem cells in treatments requiring pluripotency. This review evaluates the potential of iPSCs in wildlife conservation. While iPSCs have traditionally been explored in medical applications, the review emphasizes two interdependent conservation strategies which hinge upon iPSCs: in vitro gamete production and genetic diversity preservation through cell banking. Currently, research demonstrates that iPSCs from rhinos and other endangered mammals can be reprogrammed into primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) and cryopreserved to capture allelic diversity of deceased and non-breeding individuals. However, there remain multiple technical barriers: PGCLCs from megafauna consistently fail to complete meiosis (halting in early prophase I), species-specific differentiation pathways remain poorly defined, and long-term iPSC cultures face risks of genomic aberration. While valuable for storing genetic variation, cryo-banked lines remain functionally inert without the ability to generate mature gametes. Despite these challenges, early milestones, including the derivation of PGCLCs and the establishment of diverse iPSC lines from multiple individuals, exemplify the long-term promise of iPSC-based conservation. When iPSC-based strategies are integrated with ART and ecological restoration, these technologies offer a forward-looking framework for species recovery, even if practical application remains years away.
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Ayan Mehra was born in Singapore. His parents immigrated from India in the early 2000s, and since then, his family has become citizens. Therefore, despite being a senior at Singapore American School, he must serve two years in the Singapore Armed Forces before university. This doesn’t bother him; in fact, he is excited to do something non-intellectual for a while. Despite this, he does love science, especially dinosaurs, and is guided by the north star of becoming a paleontologist as he navigates academia.
Hamad M. Al Ghadir - Coordinated Ciliary Upregulation and Translational Downregulation in Alzheimer’s Disease Astrocytes: A Donor-Aware Single-Nucleus Analysis of Human Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
Astrocytes adopt complex reactive states in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), yet the dominant pathway-level changes in human tissue remain unsettled. Using a donor-aware single-nucleus RNA-seq workflow (donor-aggregated pseudobulk counts; AD vs Control) and preranked GSEA, we examined global astrocytes and seven astrocyte subclusters (C0–C6) from human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). In global AD astrocytes, we observed significant enrichment of cilia/axoneme pathways—e.g., axoneme assembly (normalized enrichment score (NES) ≈ +2.33, q ≤ 0.001)—together with broad depletion of translation/ribosome pathways—e.g., cotranslational protein targeting to membrane (NES ≈ −2.54, q ≤ 0.001). Headline counts from curated tables were cilia 3/7 (q ≤ 0.05 / q ≤ 0.25) and translation 12/17. The combined pattern was not uniform across astrocytes; it was clearest in Cluster 4, whereas other clusters showed partial or neutral echoes. A sensitivity analysis with a smaller minimum gene-set size yielded perfect module-level overlap (Jaccard = 1.0), indicating robustness. Microglia analyzed with the same pipeline did not show the same combined cilia upregulation/translation downregulation program. These computational findings, generated with donor-level statistics to avoid pseudoreplication, define a donor-aware cilia upregulation/translation downregulation astrocyte program in human AD and provide a specific, testable framework for mechanistic studies, biomarker-oriented follow-up, and wet-lab validation in human tissue and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)–derived astrocytes.
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Hamad M. Al Ghadir Hamad Al Ghadir is a student at King’s College Doha in Qatar, from Jordan and Ukraine, whose research uses computational methods to study complex systems across biology and history. His work has examined genomic pathways in Alzheimer’s disease and the economic effects of historical pandemics. This summer, he will attend the Summer Science Program in Bacterial Genomics. He is especially interested in using quantitative analysis to understand how complex systems change, fail, and adapt.
Rhee DOngeun - Biomimetic filtration: Applying the Voronoi Pattern of Sea Urchin Shells to Remove Lead from Connecticut’s Water supply and combat Marine Desertification
Lead concentrations in the rivers of Connecticut have reached approximately 15 ppb from corroding pipes and service lines, posing a critical health and environmental concern. Children in the state have some of the highest blood lead levels in the U.S., and this issue is most severe among low-income households unable to replace old, corroded plumbing. Lead exposure can be detrimental to the surrounding ecosystem and cause numerous health conditions for residents. To develop a natural solution, this study investigated sea urchins, a species contributing to coastal desertification, and how their pattern resembling the Voronoi structure contributed to their lead adsorption capabilities. Along with sea urchins, shrimp and crab shells were also examined, since they contain chitosan, an antimicrobial polymer. Laboratory experiments revealed that due to their unique patterns and porosities, raw sea urchin shells and raw or heat-treated shrimp shells were the most effective adsorbents. Beyond lead adsorption, both shells were also able to inhibit bacterial growth and ammonia-based odors that emerge when eutrophication increases nitrogen levels in lead-contaminated waters. The Urchin-Shrimp Purifier (USP) was developed based on these findings, integrating the most optimal qualities of sea urchin and shrimp shells for enhancing water quality. By repurposing shell wastes from nearby oceans, the USP provides a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution that benefits both the ecosystem and nearby inhabitants, simultaneously addressing two environmental concerns of Connecticut.
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Rhee Dongeun is a student researcher with a strong passion for science and applying logical thinking to solve real-world problems. While attending boarding school in Connecticut, Rhee noticed the unaddressed issue of lead contamination from aging pipes and developed a practical water purification device. Rhee’s work is driven by a commitment to creating accessible, impactful solutions that improve public health.
Sadie Wang - Dual Intervention Approaches in Ex-Situ Coral Nurseries: Crushed Oyster Shells and Low Voltage Electrification
Ocean acidification contributes to coral reef decline by reducing coral calcification. Enhancing calcification in ex-situ, closed coral nurseries can cultivate coral fragments with increased resilience against OA stressors. This paper investigates the combination of a crushed oyster shell substrate with crustose coralline algae (COS+CCA) to enhance calcification in Pocillopora acuta (PA) fragments, with an Electronursery featuring a novel dual-chamber design that utilizes low-voltage electrification (E). The COS+CCA/E treatment produced statistically significant increases in coral growth compared to the control (p=0.05), though sample size was limited (n=3). Furthermore, COMSOL simulations demonstrate that the Electronursery raises calcification rates, supporting our system’s feasibility. Overall, this study offers a promising reef restoration method which warrants long-term studies with larger sample sizes.
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Sadie Wang is a high school senior from Hsinchu, Taiwan with a passion for biology, engineering, and computational modeling. Besides conducting research on novel coral conservation strategies under Taiwan’s National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, she enjoys performing the cello as a soloist and chamber musician.
Samantha Stoneking, Kristina Theodosopoulos - Enhancing Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Performance: The Role of Gelled Electrolytes and Natural Dye Co-Sensitization
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 25% of greenhouse gas emissions are created from electricity and heat production. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer a promising renewable energy solution due to their affordability, ease of fabrication, and environmental benefits. However, their efficiency and long-term stability remain challenges that must be addressed to enable widespread adoption. This study investigates strategies to enhance DSSC performance by incorporating gelled electrolytes, optimizing natural dye combinations, and comparing carbon-based counter electrodes. Natural dyes were extracted from anthocyanins, chlorophyll, and betalains, with mixtures co-sensitized to broaden light absorption across the visible spectrum. Gelled electrolytes, fabricated using chitosan, were introduced to address the drawbacks of liquid electrolytes, such as leakage and evaporation, while improving ionic conductivity and stability. Counter electrodes were prepared using candle soot and graphene, with a cost-benefit analysis revealing the economic feasibility of soot-based electrodes compared to graphene, which offers higher efficiency but at a greater expense. The DSSCs were fabricated using standardized methods to ensure consistency and tested under controlled illumination. Cyclic voltammetry was employed to analyze the redox properties and degradation rates of the dyes. Results showed that the co-sensitized dye mixtures improved absorption across broader wavelengths. Candle soot electrodes provided a cost-effective alternative with moderate efficiency, supporting the viability of low-cost DSSC production.
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Samantha Stoneking is a senior from New York with a longstanding passion for engineering. She began her research in the field by working on solar energy systems, including a project focused on engineering dye-sensitized solar cells. The summer before her senior year, she expanded into biomedical research, studying chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Through this experience, she discovered a career goal in biomedical engineering. Samantha hopes to continue pursuing research that combines innovation and creativity to develop technologies that improve people’s lives.
Kristina Theodosopoulos is a senior at Manhasset High School in New York, where she conducts research in the science research program. Her project focuses on improving the functionality and performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by testing natural dyes, counter electrodes, and alternative electrolytes. She was drawn to this work by her interest in renewable energy and the challenge of developing low-cost, sustainable solutions to global energy needs. Outside of research, she is a tri-sport athlete, a viola player, and a Girl Scout, experiences that have strengthened her teamwork, and leadership. She hopes to continue exploring ways science can contribute to building a more sustainable future.
Sean Jeon - Combating Inflammatory Disease: Anti-inflammatory Effect of Nisin (Bacteriocin) on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated THP-1 Macrophages
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and antibiotics are often used to control inflammation. However, because of side effects such as gastrointestinal issues and immune suppression, there is growing interest in natural treatment candidates capable of reducing inflammation with minimal side effects. Nisin, a bacteriocin, which is made by Lactococcus lactis, has been safely used for many years as a food preservative and has also been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the THP-1 human monocytic cell line, commonly used cell line to model inflammation in the lab, was used to investigate the effect of nisin on the cells. These cells can differentiate into macrophages, a type of immune cell, and can take on either a pro-inflammatory (M1-like) or anti-inflammatory (M2-like) form depending on the signals they receive. The THP-1 cells were first turned into resting macrophages (M0-like) by being treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Then, the cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce M1-like macrophages and treated with nisin at two different doses (25μg/mL or 50μg/mL) for 24 hours. The signal intensity of TNF-α, a marker of M1 macrophages, was detected using immunofluorescence microscopy and the images were analyzed with ImageJ software. Nisin treatment significantly reduced TNF-α levels (p < 0.0001) in THP-1 cells stimulated with PMA and LPS, while those without the nisin treatment displayed high levels of TNF-α. Additionally, the morphology of the nisin-treated THP-1 cells was more elongated and spindle-like, which is typical of M2 anti-inflammatory macrophages. These findings suggest that nisin could be a natural alternative to synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Sean Jeon is a student at Parkland High School in Pennsylvania with a strong interest in chemistry, microbiology, and medicine. He is particularly interested in the role of bacterial metabolites and their potential benefits for human health. Outside of research, he is an active violinist and enjoys using music as a form of expression and connection.
Shravya Reddy - Microbiome-to-Brain Cascades Directing Neural Stem Cell Programming in Neurodegeneration
Instances of Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD) are rising globally, yet their pathogenesis remains only partly understood. A growing body of evidence implicates the microbiome-gut-brain axis (MGBA) as a central determinant of disease trajectory. Beyond classical views of neuronal loss, recent findings highlight that the gut microbiome actively influences the programming of neural stem cells (NSCs), shaping neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and repair mechanisms in both health and disease. Microbial metabolites, immune mediators, and epigenetic regulators converge on NSC niches, directing whether regenerative capacity is preserved or eroded. We argue that neurodegeneration should be reframed as a collapse of regenerative programming under microbiome dysbiosis, rather than as a decline that is neuron-autonomous alone. This review examines the global burden of NDs, the evolution of MGBA research, and evidence linking NSC dysfunction to microbiome-driven cascades. We outline therapeutic frontiers from microbiome modulation to stem cell interventions and emphasize the need for multiomics or systems-level frameworks, to capture MGBA-NSC complexity. This positions the microbiome as an important regulator of NSC fate and regenerative potential, offering a conceptual shift with direct implications for precision interventions in NDs.
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Shravya Reddy is an aspiring medical student with a strong interest in understanding human physiology and disease mechanisms. With a solid academic foundation in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, she is particularly drawn to the intersection of medicine, biotechnology, and innovation. She aims to pursue a career that integrates clinical practice with research, contributing to advancements in healthcare and translational medicine.
Yan (Ethan) XU - A Machine Learning Approach for Water Level Residual Correction Using Geospatial Terrain Features
Accurate water level forecasting remains a critical challenge in hydrology, where errors in model predictions may compromise safety and flood defense decisions. This study proposes a machine learning approach that uses geospatial terrain data to correct these residuals. The study presents a LightGBM baseline model using only temporal features and a XGBoost model enhanced with topographic features, including slope, aspect, and elevation statistics derived from 30m DEMs within a 3km radius of 15 diverse National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) water level stations[1]. The key finding is that the geospatially informed XGBoost model demonstrated a significant 84.38% improvement in MSE for multi-step sequential forecasting compared to the temporal LightGBM baseline, which shows that it was able to overcome the typical challenge of error accumulation in autoregressive tasks. While the simpler LightGBM architecture maintained an advantage for one-step-ahead prediction, the results demonstrate that integrating geospatial data with an appropriate model architecture is very effective for autonomous, long-term residual correction. This study aims to present a framework for incorporating static terrain data into dynamic hydrological forecasting models.
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Yan (Ethan) Xu is a grade 11 International Baccalaureate student based in Ontario, Canada. Passionate about mathematics, systems programming, and computer algorithms, he is particularly interested in machine learning, data science, and competitive robotics.