Nine Monterey High School Student Engineers and Scientists Recognized at County Science & Engineering Fair
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2023
Contact:
Marci McFadden, Chief of Communications & Engagement
831-706-6971
Nine Monterey High School Student Engineers and Scientists Recognized
at County Science & Engineering Fair
Monterey, CA - The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is pleased to announce that nine Monterey High School student engineers and scientists were recognized at the 2023 Monterey County Office of Education Science & Engineering Fair held on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
“Science, technology, and engineering are crucial in today’s world, and our district and schools proudly provide robust course offerings for students,” said PK Diffenbaugh, Superintendent, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. “Specifically at Monterey High, we’ve invested in a new state-of-the-art Science and Innovation Center (see About Monterey High School’s Science and Innovation Center below more) that opened to students last year, and the school has a thriving biotechnology program under the leadership of teacher Jason Nicholson.”
Monterey High School’s two-year biotechnology program introduces students to the fundamental concepts, principles, and practices from the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering used in biotechnology. Students explore a variety of applications in areas such as healthcare, engineering, agriculture, and forensic science. Students also evaluate career opportunities by way of guest speakers, site visits to companies and facilities, and career research.
“Our students are committed and it is exciting to see our team of dedicated Monterey High student scientists recognized with various awards for their work and dedication,” said Jason Nicholson, Biotechnology and IB Diploma Program Chemistry Teacher, Monterey High School.
The work at Monterey High is a team effort and recognition also extends to the Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Science, the Monterey High School Science Department, and MPUSD's Career Technical Education team for their steadfast support of students.
Notably, 11th grade student Rithik Bhushan's investigation was the sole project selected to represent Monterey County at the upcoming Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair in Dallas, Texas.
2023 Winners
Rithik Bhushan (11th grade)
Analysis of Osmoadaptation Systems in C. reinhardtii in Response to Osmotic Stress Produced by Toxic Brine Dumping Cycles
- 1st place Microbiology
- Society for In Vitro Biology Award
- Yale Science & Engineering Association Award
- Qualified for California State Science & Engineering Fair
- Qualified for International Science & Engineering Fair
Eunwoo Kim (11th grade)
Filtration of 1-5 mm Sized Microplastics Using Activated Carbon and Magnetic Powder
- 1st place Environmental, Earth, & Geology Sciences
- National Geographic Award
- IEEE Technical Excellence Award
- Qualified for California State Science & Engineering Fair
Sindhu Gokaraju (11th grade) and Sneha Gokaraju (11th grade)
Discovery of Natural Therapeutics for Various Cancers by Targeting Tank Binding Kinase-1 Mediated Signaling Pathways Using QSAR Modeling
- 2nd place Computer Science & Mathematics
- IEEE Technical Excellence Award
- Qualified for California State Science & Engineering Fair
Mariana Collazo (11th grade) and Liliana Richer (11th grade)
Comparing the Effectiveness of Corn-Starch Plastic and Potato-Starch Plastic
- 2nd place Engineering, Technology, & Invention
- United States Air Force Award
- IEEE Technical Excellence Award
- Qualified for California State Science & Engineering Fair
Vrishabh Gupta (9th grade) and Ansh Shah (11th grade)
A Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms for Classifying Stages in Lung Cancer Patients
- 3rd place Computer Science & Mathematics
- IEEE Technical Excellence Award
- Qualified for California State Science & Engineering Fair
Zahra Sellami (10th grade)
Investigation of the Effect of Incubation Time on CRISPR Transformation of Escherichia coli
- 3rd place Microbiology
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About Monterey High School’s Science & Innovation Center
The state-of-the-art Science & Innovation Center at Monterey High School was completed at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. The 37,507 square foot center includes four, full-size science labs and flexible classrooms, collaborative space for students and an outdoor plaza with exhibition space for students to showcase hands-on learning projects. The collaborative space is open to the entire Monterey High School faculty and students to allow for better cross-content learning exhibitions and displays of work where industry experts and the community can provide feedback and allow for student innovation. The courtyard provides seat walls for student seating, windows and exterior siding. This project was funded through school bond Measure P and to date approximately $10.5 million has been expended to date. The center was dedicated in honor of community members Mike and Carol Weesner in the fall of 2022.
About Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is home to approximately 9,600 students in grades transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. The district also houses preschool and adult education. The district is built on a solid foundation of effective instruction, positive school culture, systems of support, and collaborative leadership. The district is nestled along the Monterey Bay, and stretches from the city of Marina to the north to the city of Monterey to the south, and includes the communities of Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Sand City and Seaside.
