Students Recognized for Outstanding Work in Science, Technology, Engineering Fields

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 As Connecticut increasingly looks to strengthen its economic foundation with growth in the STEM fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, talented Connecticut middle and high school student scientists and engineers were honored this month by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) at its 49th Annual Meeting.

Students from this year’s Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair, including the fair’s urban school challenge program, Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, and Connecticut Invention Convention received CASE awards and were recognized as part of the meeting.

The H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence, established by CASE, was awarded to the top winners of the Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair. The medal was created to recognize and honor H. Joseph Gerber’s (1924-1996) technical leadership in inventing, developing, and commercializing manufacturing automation systems for a wide variety of industries, making those industries more efficient and cost-effective in a worldwide competitive environment.

The 2024 H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence

Ashley Malkin, Greenwich High School, Greenwich, CT - Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair – 1st Place, Life Sciences-Senior Division; Project: Development and In Vitro Verification of a Polymersome for Blood-Brain Barrier Transport through a Novel Machine Learning Model

Meiyin Ren, Westminster School, Simsbury, CT - Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair – 1st Place, Physical Sciences-Senior Division; Project: Dual-Degree-of-Freedom Pneumatic Shoulder Rehabilitation Device Based on Flexible Materials

Saachi Goyal, Academy of Information Technology and Engineering, Stamford, CT - Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair – Urban School Challenge High School Winner; Project: A Novel Machine Learning Model for Estrous Cycle Classification in Mice

2024 Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair – Middle School Winner, Urban School Challenge

Palaniappan Manikandan and Duke Clottey, Academy of Aerospace and Engineering, Windsor, CT - Project: Using Piezoelectric Sensors to Harvest Energy from Automobile Tires and the Road Surface

2024 Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

1ST Place: Antonia Kolb, King School, Stamford, CT; Project: DETICKT IT: A Machine-Learning–Based Application for Real-Time Tick Identification and Spatiotemporal Disease Risk

2ND Place: Snigtha Mohanraj, Engineering and Science University Magnet School, West Haven, CT; Project: Synthesis of Porous Polymer Sponge Matrix Using Modified Sodium Alginate Clay Compound for Adsorptive Removal of Microplastics and Oil from Contaminated Water

3RD Place: Harshil Yerrabelli, Conard High School, West Hartford, CT; Project: Quantum Computing in Medical Diagnostics: A QSVM Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease Classification

4TH Place: Ashley Malkin, Greenwich High School, Greenwich, CT; Project: Development and In Vitro Verification of a Polymersome for Blood-Brain Barrier Transport through a Novel Machine Learning Model

5TH Place: Dina Watson, Manchester High School, Manchester, CT; Project: Determining the Predictiveness of Beech Leaf Disease Symptom Severity Following Spring Leaf out Based on Overwintering Nematode Abundance in Fagus Grandifolia Buds

2024 Connecticut Invention Convention CASE Awardees

  • Jhose Ashitha, Illing Middle School, Manchester, CT, Mall Barricade

  • Charlotte Bunting, William J. Johnston Middle School, Colchester, CT, The Safety Seat

  • Isla David, Interdistrict Discovery Magnet School, Bridgeport, CT, Fragrant Fido

  • Connor Flynn, St. Rose of Lima School, Newtown, CT, Safe-Twist

  • Advait Garg, Irving A. Robbins Middle School, Farmington, CT, The Not Flop Top

  • Nolan Kosciukiewicz, John Wallace Middle School, Newington, CT, Super Flipper

  • Oliver Lind, Talcott Mountain Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Avon, CT, The Boreabrush

  • Justin Miller, Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy, North Windham, CT, Glove Breaker

  • Sophia Murray, Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy, North Windham, CT, A Piece of Cake

  • Nicolas Peach, Independent Inventor, Marlborough, CT, Self-Charge Car

  • Maria Rocha-Reaes, Discovery Magnet School, Bridgeport, CT, The Velcro Labeler

  • Lily Sacco, Hamden Middle School, Hamden, CT, O.W.B.I.S.

  • Arya Samat, Talcott Mountain Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Avon, CT, G.E.R. Green Energy Reminder

  • Phoenix Soto, Discovery Magnet School, Bridgeport, CT, Wax on Wax off

  • Isabella Velez, Benjamin Jepson Magnet School, New Haven, CT, The Tear Eliminator

The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering was chartered by the General Assembly in 1976 to provide expert guidance on science and technology to the people and to the state of Connecticut, and to promote the application of science and technology to human welfare and economic well being.

The distinguished roster of CASE members are elected based on recognition of their scientific and engineering distinction achieved through significant contributions in theory or applications, as demonstrated by original published books and papers, patents, the pioneering of new and developing fields, and innovative products, outstanding leadership of nationally recognized technical teams, public service, and external professional awards in recognition of scientific and engineering excellence. Thirty-five new members this year include representatives from Ambri, Inc., Central Connecticut State University, Independent Data Consortium for Aviation, RTX, UCONN, and Yale University.