Two impressive Westhampton Beach High School Advanced Science Research students have advanced to the semifinals of the Junior Sciences and Humanities Symposium. They are set to present their work at the semifinals on Feb. 9 at York College in Queens for a chance to qualify for the national competition in Washington, D.C.
Students Nicholas Borruso and Fahtima Iqbal were selected after submitting impressive research papers that showcase their findings from individual research projects. For the semifinals, they will be required to give a talk on their findings to professors, students and fellow semifinalists from across Long Island.
“I am super proud of Nicholas and Fahtima for making it this far in the prestigious competition,” said science research teacher Dianna Gobler. “I look forward to seeing them stand up to present and defend their hard work.”
For his project, Borruso explored “Assessment of the Behavioral Impacts of PFAS on Danio rerio.” He said he selected the project because he has always been interested in neuroscience and pollution of environmental health. For his research, he studied the effects of forever chemicals on zebrafish. His research was conducted over the summer as part of a Stony Brook University research program, where he served as a fellow in Dr. Howard Sirotkin’s lab in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at Stony Brook University.
“It is amazing to be able to compete in the Junior Sciences and Humanities Symposium,” said Borruso. “It shows that my hard work has paid off.”
Aside from participating in his school’s science research program, Borruso volunteers in a local emergency department and is vice president of his school’s Robotics Team, for which he inaugurated a mentor program for robotics in the middle school. He is also co-editor of his school’s Seascapes publication, participates in Key Club, and is a member of his school’s National, Language, Math and Science honor societies. He is an AP Scholar with Distinction and has earned an AP Capstone designation on his diploma.
He plans to study neuroscience in college on a pre-med track.
Iqbal’s research project, “The Efficacy of 40mm Hertz Light and Sound Therapy in Relieving Motor Decline in an Alzheimer’s Model of D. melanogaster,” explores the utilization of auditory and light stimulations to improve cognitive and behavioral functions in Alzheimer’s patients. She selected the topic because she has always had an interest in neuroscience and Alzheimer’s disease.
“There is so much that can be learned,” she said.
For the past year, Iqbal worked on her project in her Advanced Science Research course. Of her acceptance into the symposium, she said, “It validates my hard work and time.”
When not researching, Iqbal volunteers with the Westhampton Ambulance Company, where she earned an EMT certification. In school, she is treasurer of the Interact Club, vice president of the Science Club, serves on the Equity and Diversity Committee, and is a member of the National, Language, Math and Science honor societies. She is also an AP Scholar with Distinction and has earned an AP Capstone designation on her diploma.
She plans to study neuroscience in college.
Date Added: 2/5/2025