Earlier in June, five first-year science research students presented their projects at the Somers Science Fair, with two RCDS students placing in the fair’s top 3. 

The fair provides a unique opportunity for first-year students to present their intended research on posters in a competitive environment, showcasing their knowledge on the topic how they plan to conduct their research further given the proper resources and guidance. 

2nd Place in Biochemistry 
Helen Halverson ’26, An Alternative Solution to Antimicrobial Resistance: Analysis of the Interactions between Antimicrobial Peptide PAP1 and the Outer Membrane of P. Aeruginosa 

2nd Place in Health and Medicine
Alex Gurion ’26, PET Imaging of Amyloid Beta Deposition: Investigating the Efficacy of Aducanumab and Lecanemab Therapies in Alzheimer’s Disease 

Other Student Presenters
Eliana Chorost ’26, FcRn in the Transport of Monoclonal Antibodies Across the Blood-Brain Barrier to Enhance Efficacy of Bevacizumab in Glioblastoma Treatment 
Connor Rusch ’25, How Enzymatic Degradation of PET Could Help Solve the Plastic Waste Crisis 
Annabella Yu ’26, Enhanced CAR T Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors Using Injectable Porous Microchips with Oxygen Reservoirs and Immune Niches