Highlights

Other Highlights:

2020-2021

CB South STEM Research Club

PA Biotechnology Partnership Program

This was the eleventh year of the STEM Research Club (formerly Science Research Club) at Central Bucks High School West. Even with a competition season shortened by COVID-19 closures, fifty-four (54) club members competed in at least one competition, earning awards and several thousand dollars in cash and scholarship offers. Members registered a dominating performance at the Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC), an increasingly competitive event. At Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF), an event attended by the most gifted student researchers in the tri-state area, our club members achieved superior results.

Members engaged in student-driven research projects in STEM fields and were responsible for:

• researching and brainstorming topics

• crafting formal research plans

• completing paperwork and securing approval from parents, advisers, mentors, etc.

• collecting data and/or creating/engineering/proving something

• analyzing results

• creating and presenting research products.

We enjoy tremendous support from our school, district, and community. Unfortunately, we cannot list the name of every individual who makes our work possible, but we did want to extend a special thanks to the following individuals and organizations:

• Mark Hayden, Adviser
• Anton Ocepek, Adviser
• Gerard Michaud, PhD, Community Consultant
• Brian Hensel, Consultant
• Leanne Jarossy, Statistics Consultant
• Jonathan Taylor, Consultant
• Jennifer Yeager, Lenape Middle School
• Deborah Wysocki, Lenape Middle School
• Kenneth Hall, Tohickon Middle School
• Marci Banks, Administrative Support
• Beth Sanders, Administrative Support
• Susanne Stahl, Administrative Support
• Tim Donovan, CB West Principal
• Steven Willis, CBSD Supervisor of Science, K-12
• Abram M. Lucabaugh, Ed.D, CBSD Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education
• Alexis McGloin, Ed.D, CBSD Assistant Superintendent for Assessment
• John J. Kopicki, Ed.D, CBSD Superintendent of Schools
• John Gamble and Members of the CBSD School Board
• Kimberly Cambra, Nancy Santacecilia, and the CB Cares Educational Foundation
• Timothy Block, PhD, President,
  Hepatitis B Foundation, Baruch S Blumberg Institute, PA Biotechnology Center
• Lou Kassa, Executive Vice President and COO,
  Hepatitis B Foundation, Baruch S Blumberg Institute, PA Biotechnology Center
• John Kulp, PhD, Director of Academic Affairs, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute

Mentors and Supervisors (**Denotes at least five years of involvement)

• Benjamin Breish, Central Bucks High School West
• Brielle Dalvano, PA Biotechnology Center
• Mark Hayden, Central Bucks High School West**
• Frank Jones, Greene Street Pharmaceuticals
• John Kulp, PhD, PA Biotechnology Center**
• Steven May, PhD, Drexel University**
• John Morgan, PhD, Pennsylvania Game Commission
• Anton Ocepek, Central Bucks High School West
• Aejaz Sayeed, PhD, PA Biotechnology Center
• David Schad, PA Biotechnology Center
• Alison Stone, Central Bucks High School West
• Darl Swartz, PhD,**
  BSBI/Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine/Thomas Jefferson/Temple/TCNJ
• Jonathan Taylor, Central Bucks High School West**
• Roshan Thapa, MD, PA Biotechnology Center

• Gold medal winner (i.e. best project in any category) in the senior-level fair at Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF) earned by Rishi Vaidyanath. In a normal year, Rishi would have earned an all-expenses-paid trip to Anaheim, California to attend the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Rishi is a student from East who competed with the West club.
  
  
• $8,000 Dietrich Botstiber Foundation Scholarship won by Saikrishna Manojkumar at Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF). This unrestricted award can be used at any full-time college or university.
  
  
• A $30,000 scholarship to University of the Sciences won by Sophie Kadan at DVSF.
  
  
• Thirty-nine (39) earned first awards at Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) Regionals, earning invitation to state competition at Penn State University
  
  
• Three (3) perfect scores (Chloe McKelvey, Marshall Miller, and Eliza Worrall) at PJAS Regionals
  
  
• Thirty-two (32) earned category awards at Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC), with twenty-two (22) advancing to the next level of competition
  
  
• A full-scholarship to Delaware Valley University won by Michael Bahner at Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC)
  
  
• Nine (9) special awards at BCSRC, including the top special award offered to a student in middle school (Eliza Worrall) and the second-best special award offered to a junior or senior (Sophie Kadan)
  
  
• One (1) first place award (Rishi Vaidyanath), six (6) second place awards (Connor D'Arcy, Sophie Kadan, Saikrishna Manojkumar, Marshall Miller, Andrew Yang, and Samantha Zanine), four (4) third place awards (Sadie Furgiuele, Eric Mass, Emma Schrandt, and Eliza Worrall) and four (4) honorable mention awards (Michael Bahner, Madison Charnigo, Rutuja Kulkarni, and Francis Peng) at the prestigious Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF), an invite-only event that welcomes students from the entire State of Delaware, the lower-half of New Jersey, and all of Southeastern Pennsylvania
  
  
• Broadcom MASTERS invitation to Eliza Worrall. This is the top competition for middle school students. Eliza is a Lenape MS student who competes with our club.

This year, we were grateful to receive a grant from the CB Cares Educational Foundation. The very generous grant for nearly $3000 allowed us to purchase a plotter, paper, and ink for printing our research posters. More information about CB Cares Grants can be found here.

Investigating Synthetic Compounds to Potentiate SMAC Mimetic Targeting Agent

• Gold Medal Winner at Delaware Valley Science Fair in the senior-level fair. (i.e. Best project in any category for any senior)
  In a normal year, gold medal winners advance to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
• 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
• 2nd Place, BCSRC
• 1st Place, DVSF

In my project, I seek to find anti-inflammatory compounds that could overcome multiple mutations present during HBV infection. These compounds could possible enhance the efficacy of SMAC Mimetic, drugs that are currently used to treat cancer, and to overcome drug resistance.

Rishi, a CB East senior who competed with the CB West Club, will major in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Cornell University.

Understanding How Engineered Plasmonic Nanostructures Can be Utilized as Biosensors Using COMSOL Simulation Software

• $8,000 Dietrich Botstiber Foundation Scholarship, DVSF
  
• 2nd Award, PJAS Regionals
• 1st Place, BCSRC
• 2nd Place, DVSF

This project utilizes the multi-physics simulation software known as COMSOL. Using this software, I simulate the use of plasmonic nanostructures to detect certain pathogens using the RF module as well as the Wave Optics module.

Saikrishna, a STEM Leadership Council Member, is a graduating senior who will attend Georgia Tech next year.

Potential Protein Biomarkers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells and Exosomes

• 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
• 2nd Place, BCSRC
• 2nd Place, DVSF

I have been working to identify a protein in differing concentrations between cancerous and noncancerous vesicles that originate from liver cells. These vesicles, called exosomes, are found in bodily fluids, making them useful in diagnostic testing. Part of the deadliness of liver cancer involves difficulties in early detection. A non-invasive procedure that can diagnose the cancer earlier has great potential in decreasing liver cancer’s currently high mortality rate.

Samantha is a graduating senior who will be attending Penn State University. She will be enrolled in the Schreyer Honors College where she will pursue a degree in biomedical engineering.

A Sixth Sense: Detecting Invisible Bacteria with Artificial Intelligence

• 1st Award and Perfect Score, PJAS Regionals
• 1st Place, BCSRC
• 2nd Place, DVSF

My goal is to develop an artificial intelligence model to detect an invisible bacteria known as Mycoplasma. This new method of detection could exponentially decrease the time required to publish and validate experimental results. Mycoplasma currently contaminated between 15% to 35% of all cell cultures in US laboratories, causing chromosomal abnormalities and nutrient loss in their host cells. The current gold-standard method of detection required by high impact-factor journals is PCR, an often time-intensive process. A quicker method of Mycoplasma detection would be a great service to the biotechnology community.

Marshall, a STEM Leadership Council Member, is a graduating senior who will be attending Drexel University, where he has been admitted to the Pennoni Honors College. He will study mechanical engineering.

Developing a Transdermal Patch Using the Drug Tofacitinib to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

• 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
• 2nd Place, BCSRC
• Central Bucks Education Association (CBEA) Award, BCSRC
• Honorable Mention, DVSF

I am working on making an adhesive patch that can stick onto and dose drug right through the skin into the bloodstream to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. Rheumatoid Arthritis patients have to deal with a lot of unnecessary side effects with current treatment. My product and research has the potential to make treatment easier because these side effects can be avoided with a transdermal patch.

Rutuja, a STEM Leadership Council Member, is a graduating senior who will be attending the University of Pittsburgh, where she has been admitted to the Honors College as a recipient of the Swanson School of Engineering Excellence Scholarship. She will study bioengineering.

Characterizing the Pea Border Cell Apoptosis Pathway and its Impact on exDNA Defense

• 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
• 1st Place, BCSRC
• DOW Chemical Company Award (2nd Best Special Award for Grades 11-12), BCSRC
• 2nd Place, DVSF
• $30,000 scholarship to University of the Sciences

Border cells are structurally- and genetically- unique cells that shed off of many plant root tips. After shedding, they respond to metals, plant pathogens, and other aggregates by releasing a DNA mucilage. Functioning as a trapping mechanism, this mucilage plays a key role in plant defense. This project aimed to characterize the mucilage-releasing mechanism, applying findings to soil decontamination.

What Locally Available Materials Would Work If Martian Settlers Need to Repair Their Spacecraft?

• 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
• 1st Place, BCSRC
• 3rd Place, DVSF

I tested the heat resistance of various metals, a fabric, a “Martian” dirt tile and materials used on spacecraft today to see which one works the best for possible spacecraft repair.

The Best 3D Printer Infill Settings Relative to Weight

• 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
• 2nd Place, BCSRC
• 2nd Place, DVSF

My engineering goal is to determine which infill pattern and settings offer the best strength-to-weight ratio so others can print high strength parts with the minimum resources and time requirements necessary. This is something that needs to be addressed because in 3D printing, people are always looking for ways to cut down material costs and print times without losing the quality or strength of the part. Also- strong, lightweight materials are in high demand right now.

Building a Mechanical Clock

• 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
• 1st Place, BCSRC
• 3rd Place, DVSF

I used basic principals or engineering and LEGO pieces to design and build a 100% authentic and functional clock. It will keep time accurately for over an hour.

Birth Order's Effect on Youngest Sibling's Personality

• 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
• 1st Place, BCSRC
• CB Cares Educational Foundation Research Award, BCSRC
• 3rd Place, DVSF

My project involves testing widely-held believes related to the connection between birth order and personality. I analyzed anonymous survey data to do this.

Testing the Compressive Strength of Concrete Bricks with Varied Amounts of Plastic

• 1st Award and Perfect Score, PJAS Regionals
• 1st Place, BCSRC
• William Rissinger Award, BCSRC (Top Special Award for Grades 6-8)
• 3rd Place, DVSF
• Broadcom MASTERS invitation (Top competition for middle school students)

Global warming is a growing global issue, and plastic and concrete manufacturing are two leading causes of carbon dioxide emissions and pollution. It is important that we decrease the amount of plastic we consume, so by mixing plastic and concrete, it will lower carbon dioxide levels and lower pollution levels.