Medical Sciences Student to Represent New Jersey at National Junior Science & Humanities Symposium
Seniors in the Freehold Regional High School District’s Medical Sciences Magnet Program submitted their research projects and applied to participate at the New Jersey Junior Science & Humanities Symposium this past December. After a review of over a hundred applications from across central and northern New Jersey, the selection committee - composed of prestigious scientists and engineers - selected four of Freehold High School’s Med Sci students to present their research projects at the 2018 Northern New Jersey Junior Science & Humanities Symposium in early March. Freehold High School was among the few high schools to have multiple students selected for presentations.
The Northern New Jersey Junior Science & Humanities Symposium is one of 48 regional Symposia that feed into the National Junior Science & Humanities Symposium. The Junior Science & Humanities Symposium Program promotes original research and experimentation in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics at the high school level. JSHS aims to widen the pool of trained talent prepared to conduct research and development vital to our nation. The United States Department of Defense sponsors the National Junior Science & Humanities Symposium Program.
Two students were selected for oral presentations on their research projects:
• Rayma Boggavarapu - Diferuloylmethane and Quercetin 3-0 rutinoside as Anticancer Agents in Mammary Gland Cancer Cells
• Nicholas Kaufman – The Effect of Genetically Modified Cane Sugar on the Growth of Escherichia coli
Two students were selected for poster presentations on their research projects:
• Crystal Chiu – In Vitro Efficacy of Bromelain as a Cytotoxic Agent to Cervical Adenocarcinoma Cells
• Maya Patel – In Effect of Ammonium Sulfate on Resistance of Escherichia coli to Amoxicillin
Rayma Boggavarapu was ranked third among the oral presentations and will be representing New Jersey at the National Junior Science & Humanities Symposium in May. She will be presenting her research and competing with high school students from across the United States. Her third place award includes a $1,000 scholarship from the United States Department of Defense. Rayma also received a special award from the Picatinny Chapter of Women in Defense: “Excellence in Science/Engineering toward the Advancement of Women’s Topics.”
For over 30 years the Freehold Regional High School District’s Medical Sciences Magnet Program has offered students a rigorous program of mathematics and science within a comprehensive high school setting. Our program of study is unique with our freshmen beginning their studies in AP Biology and Honors Algebra II and concluding their senior year with Biochemistry and Multivariable Calculus. Our high achieving and self-motivated students are thoroughly prepared for postsecondary studies in the sciences. Medical Sciences Magnet Program students are regularly admitted to prestigious colleges and universities such as Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, MIT, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth University, University of Chicago, Rutgers University Honors Program, and many others. Often our students are accepted into undergraduate/medical combined programs at institutions such as Northwestern University's HPME, Washington University of St. Louis, Drexel University BA/MD, George Washington BA/MD, Penn State University BA/MD, TCNJ's BA/MD, and others.
After graduation, students have gone on to become physicians, surgeons, pharmacists, veterinarians, physician assistants, and physical therapists. Others have chosen industry or research careers in biomedical engineering or technology.