Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering Announces Student Award Winners, Distinguished Service Award Recipients

The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) held its 50th Anniversary Dinner recently, an evening that included two Distinguished Service Awards and 15 student awardees from Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) competitions across Connecticut.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented Southern Connecticut State University faculty member Christine Broadbridge, who was elected to CASE in 2008. She was recognized for “her remarkable contributions as a member of the Academy’s Council, as well as serving in the Presidential Cycle from 2018 to 2024. She has provided steadfast leadership to the Academy and guided it through difficult challenges. She has provided strategic direction that continues to influence and support the Academy’s mission.”

Edmond Murphy, first elected to CASE membership in 2006, also received a distinguished Service Award. He served as Treasurer during some of the most challenging financial times for the Academy, officials noted. “With a steady hand and thoughtful guidance, Ed helped the Academy navigate through the challenges and created a stable foundation for future growth.” His tenure as Treasurer was from 2016 to 2024.

CASE provided and supported 14 awards this year, with 15 middle and high school students recognized for the scientific accomplishments during the past year. Alongside displaying their invention and/or research to members and guests during the Annual Dinner's reception, students were celebrated for their incredible achievements across Connecticut's STEMM competitions this school year.

Connecticut Invention Convention CASE Awardees

Evelyn Klimowicz, Scotts Ridge Middle School, 8th Grade
Annabelle Fortin; Isabelle Distefano, Cromwell Middle School, 6th Grade
Kai Kalleberg, Westside Middle School Academy, 6th Grade
Lucas Dragotta, John Read Middle School, 7th Grade
Vivaan Pandey, Timothy Edwards Middle School, 7th Grade

Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair — Gerber Medal

Life Science: Rhea Doshi, Kingswood Oxford
- A Multi-Modal AI/ML Platform for Neurodegenerative Risk Prediction: Integrating Epigenetic Signatures Through cfDNA Methylation and Functional Mobility Data
  Physical Science: Marley Wies, Greenwich High School
  Process Optimization of Green Chemistry Pathway for Fabric-to-Fabric Recycling of Cotton
  Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair — Urban School Challenge
Middle School: Cayden Joseph, Engineering and Science University Magnet School
- BiteSight: Development of a Mobile Deep Learning Application for Bug Bite Identification
High School: Ethan Joseph, Engineering and Science University Magnet School
- Real-Time Adaptive Support for Dementia: An Integrated Multimodal Device for Spatial and Auditory Guidance
  
  High School Science and Humanities Symposium (HSSHS)
First Place: Tyler Malkin, Greenwich High School
Development Of a Novel Nanoparticle Drug-delivery System Using Olah Targeting to Deliver Surfactant Protein and Prevent Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Second Place: Sabrina Liu, Choate Rosemary Hall
Neuromirror: A Hebbian-Theory–Based EEG-Driven Mirror Therapy
System for Post-Stroke Upper-Limb Rehabilitation
Third Place: Lucia Vivanco, King School
Experimentation And Application of Nutrient Additives to Enhance Resilience of Coral Reefs Against Climate Change
Fourth Place: Aryan Shrivastav, Amity Regional High School
Developing a Bio-Hybrid Luminescent Solar Concentrator Using Carbon Quantum Dots, Natural Fluorophores, and Kaolin Powder for Enhanced Solar Energy Harvesting
Fifth Place: Ravindu Karunaratne, Hamden Hall Country Day School
Utilizing Exfoliated Graphite for Oil Extraction from Spills Via Autonomous Robotic Devices