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Hastings High science research students present projects from game theory to drug‑discovery models
Summary
Seniors and underclassmen in the Hastings High science research program presented computational and lab research — including a game‑theory model for optimizing school bond propositions, a random‑forest drug‑prediction model, a frailty score prognostic study using clinical data, and bioinformatic screens for Alzheimer’s candidates — and the district announced expanded SUNY Albany credit for the three‑year program.
Hastings High School students in the science research program presented a range of projects to the Board of Education on May 27, demonstrating computational modeling, laboratory work and plans to apply for conferences and publication credits.
Program leads Melissa Shandro and Miss Baronfeld described the program’s transition to a three‑year pathway and noted that roughly 100 students are registered for next year across sophomores, juniors and seniors, with seniors eligible to apply for up to four SUNY Albany credits. The board heard brief talks from several students about their methods, results and next steps.
Harley Griffin presented a game‑theory model designed to help boards and voters choose bond propositions. Griffin said he simulated 500 runs with 200 iterations each and tested three board strategies; the analysis favored a “greedy” strategy that blends board utility and polling probability rather than relying only on board preferences. Griffin acknowledged his model relied on simulated rather than real polling data but said the approach could inform early random polling to reduce bias.
Rian Kasmarzik described a random‑forest model that used 173 molecular descriptors to predict bilayer‑modifying potency, reporting moderate accuracy and identifying hydrophobicity and molecular weight as strong predictors. Kasmarzik said the model could help drug designers prioritize candidates.
Kate Soil summarized a retrospective analysis of 79 elderly patients treated with antibody‑drug conjugates or PD‑1 checkpoint inhibitors, using a frailty score (age ≥70, ECOG ≥2, comorbidity index ≥3). Soil reported that frailer patients had worse overall survival and suggested the frailty index could guide personalized frontline therapy decisions for elderly patients.
Emmy Taylor explained a computational pipeline using GEO RNA‑seq datasets and connectivity‑map tools to identify compounds that might reverse Alzheimer’s disease gene‑expression signatures. Taylor listed six candidate perturbations and said laboratory testing is the next step.
The board congratulated students and noted a new grant from the Hastings Education Foundation to purchase a poster printer for future conferences and events. The district also promoted an upcoming science research symposium on June 3, where underclassmen will present posters and seniors will give short talks.
