May 15, 2018
Media Contact:
Heather Thorstensen
Manager of Communications
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
hthorstensen@sigmaxi.org or (919) 549-4691 ext. 216
One hundred and twenty-two science and engineering students from high schools, colleges, and universities gathered online in April for a virtual research competition. Their goal: To not only have the best research project among their peers, but also the best science communication skills.
They competed in the sixth annual Student Research Showcase run by Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society.
Students enter the competition by creating a website that contains a slideshow, a research abstract, and a video. Each component challenges students to communicate their research findings to different audiences. For example, the slideshow is intended for an audience with a technical background while the video targets a broader audience.
Approximately 30 Sigma Xi members volunteered from April 16–May 11 to judge the websites. Judges assessed the quality of the project’s scientific thought and method. They also critiqued how well the student communicated enthusiasm for their project; explained the significance of their research; used text, charts, and diagrams; and responded to questions.
Judges picked top presenters in the High School, Undergraduate, and Graduate divisions. Division winners will receive a $500 award from Sigma Xi. Judges also picked top presenters in each of the research subject areas.
All participants will receive a certificate of participation. High school participants will be invited to submit a research manuscript to Sigma Xi's journal for pre-collegiate research, Chronicle of The New Researcher.
2018 Division Winners
High School Division
The Antibacterial Effects of Carrots, Garlic, Kale, and Broccoli on Escherichia Coli
Maryam Imran, American Heritage School
Section: Microbiology & Molecular Biology
Undergraduate Division
Hive Minded: Like Neurons, Honeybees Collectively Integrate Stop Signals to Regulate Forager Recruitment
Talia Borofsky, Swarthmore College
Section: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Graduate Division
Evolution of North American Micruracarus Water Mites
Rachel Shoop, San Diego State University
Section: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
People’s Choice Award
The People's Choice Award is a $250 prize determined by a public vote based on the presentation's video and abstract.
Chol-RNAi Molecule Polyplexes of PLL-PEG for the RNAi-Mediated Treatment of Neuroblastoma
Zhen Ye, a PhD student at University of Nebraska Medical Center
Section: Cell Biology and Biochemistry
Read more
2018 Section Winners
Agricultural, Soil, and Natural Resources
Investigation of Water Additives as a Method to Slow Evaporation
Richard Grey Leonard, American Heritage School
Anthropology
Colonization on the Island of Stone Money: Archaeological Investigation on the Remote Island of Yap, Western Micronesia
Matthew Napolitano, University of Oregon
Cell Biology and Biochemistry
Improving Wound Healing by Breaking down Biofilm Formation and Reducing Nosocomial Infections
Nicholas DiStefano, American Heritage High School
Chemistry
Developing a Novel Drug-Based, Dual-Targeted Emergency Treatment for Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Strokes by Targeting Common Molecular Pathways of Oxidative Stress, Hemoglobin Degradation, and Inflammation
Hemangi Rajpal, American Heritage School
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Evolution of North American Micruracarus Water Mites
Rachel Shoop, San Diego State University
Engineering (TIE)
Dynamic Weight Sensing for a Cost-Effective Assistive Grip Device
Andrei Spiride, Plano East Senior High School
Tumor-on-a-Chip for Personalized Cancer Drug Testing
Shiny Rajan, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences
Environmental Sciences
Phytoremediation Using Duckweed and Hinokitiol
Eniya Krishnaraj, American Heritage School
Geosciences
The Creation of a New Algorithm For Determining Sequence Stratigraphy and Seismic Risk in Tectonically Active Areas
David Ologan, Bronx High School of Science
Human Behavioral & Social Sciences
Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Insula-Based Functional Connectivity
Sade Abiodun, Duke University
Math and Computer Science
Diagnosing Manifestations of Disease in the Fingernail Through a Convolutional Neural Network Embedded in a Smartphone Application
Varun Lakshmanan, South Fork High School
Microbiology and Molecular Biology
The Antibacterial Effects of Carrots, Garlic, Kale, and Broccoli on Escherichia Coli
Maryam Imran, American Heritage School
Physics and Astronomy
Noise Monitoring for the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR
Alexander Stewart, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Physiology and Immunology (TIE)
NAD Replenishment Rescues Stem Cells in Werner’s Syndrome Model
Nithin Parsan, William P. Clements High School
Optimization for Malnutrition Treatment Products
Garyk Brixi, Winston Churchill High School
For more details about this competition, please visit the Student Research Showcase webpage.
Updated 5/23/18 with the People's Choice Award winner.