Bernal won 1st Place in the category Biochemistry & Cellular Molecular Biology at JSHS

WHS Senior Keishanne Bernal won 1st Place in the category Biochemistry & Cellular Molecular Biology as a regional speaker for a slide presentation of her original research “Using Predictive Modeling to Identify Small Molecule Inhibitors for BPLF1 and Evaluating their Efficacy through Epstein-Barr Virus Infectivity Assays.”

WHS Science Research Advisor Lawrence McIntyre said, “Keishanne conducted her original research at New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. As a regional speaker winner, Keishanne will now move on to compete as a speaker competitor at Upstate New York JSHS at the University of Albany in February, with the chance to then compete at the national JSHS. I'm thrilled that one of our Westlake Science Research students won a top award at the highly competitive 2024 Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium where 376 science research seniors from 34 regional schools competed.”

The WR-JSHS is a sub-regional pre-qualifying event for the Upstate NY JSHS in Albany, New York, and is conducted in accordance with National JSHS guidelines. This was Yorktown’s first year hosting the event, which included nearly 400 students and over 100 STEM professionals from a variety of fields who judged projects. Student presenters at WR-JSHS are senior Science Research students who have conducted projects under the guidance of a professional mentor and their Science Research teacher. The event was a huge success, thanks especially to the contributions of the Yorktown CSD Administrative team. A total of 32 students who placed at the top of their category will be advancing to Upstate NY JSHS in Albany, NY next month for a chance to win a trip to National JSHS. An additional 32 students will advance to Upstate NY JSHS to be honored as poster presenters at the event, which will be held in late February at the University at Albany.  

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