large view large view Niki Tsamis, Dobbs Ferry High School senior, January, 2008

 

DFSF Co-Presidents Carolyn Bloom (left) and Karen Engelmann (right) accept a generous donation of $1000 from Allstate Insurance representative Jessie Guzman of MLK Insurance, Dobbs Ferry. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March, 2008

 

Dobbs Ferry Science Research Program Produces Intel Science

Talent Search Semi-Finalist

 

Two years ago Dobbs Ferry High School Principal Keith Yi approached the Dobbs Ferry Schools Foundation requesting a grant to start a science research program. The grant included money for computers, presentation equipment, technological support systems, and DIALOG, which gives access to full-text professional science journals.  Mr. Yi described the science research program as one that would enable students to conduct authentic and original scientific research in an independent manner. Students would be able to choose and explore a topic of interest from the areas of physical science, life science, social science or mathematics. The Foundation voted resoundingly to fund the program with a grant of $12,000, and results came quickly.

 

In January 2008, Dobbs Ferry High School senior, Niki Tsamis, was named a semifinalist in the 67th Intel Science Talent Search, the most prestigious high school science competition in the country formerly known as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search. Six finalists from this competition have gone on to win the Nobel Prize. Ms. Tsamis conducted research on the evolution of RHOTB, a gene linked to cancer. She was one of the first students to work in Dobbs Ferry’s Science Research Program and during the summer she studied cancer genetics and evolution with Dr. Masaaki Hamaguchi, a former Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories cancer geneticist and research, and current professor of biology at Fordham University, to continue her work on “recombinant Viral Vectors: Cancer Vaccines.”

 

“The science research students at Dobbs Ferry High School have really opened their eyes to the fantastic potential that exists as practicing member of the scientific community, “ said Tom Callahan, the science research program coordinator. “Their projects have evolved into well-conceived ideas focused at addressing real-world problems.”

 

Ms. Tsamis and a fellow science research student, Maureen Lackner, have entered four other regional competitions as well. We wish them great success!

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