Eight Manhasset Secondary School students showcased their science research projects in the varsity division of the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair on March 7 and were recognized with top awards.

Senior Emily Theodosopoulos received first place for her project “Production of Plasma-Enhanced SiO2 films for optimizing photovoltaic cells.” As a result, she advanced in the competition and will be representing Long Island as a finalist in the International Science and Engineering Fair this May in Dallas, TX. Theodosopoulos also took home the U.S. Air Force Award which is presented to the most outstanding science or engineering project.

Other noteworthy LISEF award winners from Manhasset Secondary School include:

• Senior Benjamin Punzalan earned second place for his project “Crosstalk between Alzheimer’s disease and SARS-CoV-2 infection is mitigated by ginkgolides A and B in HTB-11 and U937 cell models.”
• Juniors Manav Gupta and William Wesson earned third place for their project “Application of Piezoelectrics to Solar Cells to Optimize Energy Harvesting Abilities via Exposure to Varying Weather Conditions.”
• Senior Ericka Lai earned third place for her project “Phosphorylation of Cellulose Nanofibers for Ammonium Adsorption” and received the U.S. Metric Association Award for best use of the International System of Units.
• Sophomore Chelsea Lim earned honorable mention for her project “Optimizing the Conversion Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Chlorophyll and Anthocyanins.”
• Junior Dylan Yoon and sophomore Emily Zhao earned honorable mention for their project “Sustainable Sargassum Supercapacitive Microbial Desalination Fuel Cell for Improved Bioelectricity Production and Simultaneous Desalination.” The pair also received the Ricoh Sustainable Development Award. This award is presented to those whose research has demonstrated the principles and technical innovations that offer the greatest potential for sustainable development.

The Manhasset Public Schools congratulates each student on their awards and wishes Theodosopoulos the best of luck as she continues in the competition at the international level.