Smithtown HSE Student Emily McDermott Named 2016 Intel Semifinalist

Smithtown Senior Named Intel Semifinalist

Emily McDermott - Smithtown High School East senior Emily McDermott has been named a semifinalist in the 2016 Intel Science Talent Search for her research in developing an experimental model for natural variation in genetic robustness.Smithtown High School East senior Emily McDermott has been named a semifinalist in the 2016 Intel Science Talent Search. McDermott has been recognized for her research in developing an experimental model for natural variation in genetic robustness. She will be awarded $1,000 with an additional $1,000 going to Smithtown High School East to support STEM education. 

McDermott, a senior in the science research program, conducted her research in the lab of Dr. Joshua Rest, an associate professor in the department of ecology and evolution at Stony Brook University. Her project, “Developing an Experimental Model for Natural Variation in Genetic Robustness,” investigated the concepts of environmental and genetic robustness as reflected through complex network of molecular interactions. She sought to develop an experimental model to study the relationship of robustness in the natural world by using wild strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, yeast. 

“The moment I found out about being a semifinalist was amazing, overwhelming and unforgettable,” McDermott said. “Science is all about discovery and learning, and to be recognized for all my hard work is an honor beyond belief.” 

McDermott has worked with Smithtown High School East Research Coordinator Maria Zeitlin during the last three years to conduct her research. According to Ms. Zeitlin, McDermott’s work was on par with graduate level study. In addition to performing the entire experimental bench work herself, McDermott also wrote the computer code to do the analysis.  

“She was not a high school student in a lab, but rather an integral member of the lab in regards to her project,” Ms. Zeitlin said. “She was passionate in her discoveries, and it was reflected by the quality of the paper she produced. I am so proud of this incredible student whom I have had the privilege of working with for three years. She is intuitive, diligent, intelligent and her ease with computer coding reinforces that young girls can code. Beyond her science skills, Emily is a wonderful person to be around. Everything she does is 110 percent, and I am so pleased that she is receiving the much deserved recognition.”

Added Smithtown High School East Principal Ed Thompson, “It is not surprising to find out that Emily has been chosen as an Intel semifinalist for the 2015-16 school year. Emily is a dedicated and enthusiastic student who is extremely motivated to do the best in whatever she does.”

Continuing, he notes the countless hours of dedicated research McDermott performed with Ms. Zeitlin. “As principal, I am very proud of both Emily and Ms. Zeitlin for what they have accomplished. Emily is a multi-talented, intelligent and extremely hard working student who excels in everything that she becomes involved in. I am very excited to see what she accomplishes in her future. She is by far one of the most committed and hardworking students I have had the pleasure of working with in my 33-year educational career.”

The Intel Science Talent Search, a program of Society for Science & the Public, is the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science competition. From more than 1,700 applicants, 300 were selected as semifinalists, which will be further narrowed to 40 finalists on Jan. 20.  

From that select pool of semifinalists, 40 student finalists will be invited to Washington, D.C. in March to participate in final judging, display their work to the public, meet with notable scientists and compete for awards, including the top three awards of $150,000 each. 

Photo courtesy of the Smithtown Central School District 

A Sand Tiger Shark Nursery Area Discovered In Great South Bay

Summering on Long Island may not be just for humans. According to Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) scientists have discovered a sand tiger nursery area in the Great South Bay.  According to WCS “Sand tiger shark pups are not born here but migrate from down south to spend the summers as juveniles in New York’s coastal waters.”

“The Great South Bay shark nursery provides juvenile sand tiger sharks ranging from several months to five years in age with a place to feed and grow. A nursery also gives juvenile sharks protection from predators, including other sharks. After birth off the southeastern United States (sand tiger sharks give birth to live young  as opposed to laying eggs), the juvenile sharks migrate north in the spring and spend the summer in New York waters before returning south in the fall.”

The tiger sand shark is considered an endangered or vulnerable species. There has been a federal and NYS prohibition on fishing for sand tiger sharks in effect since 1997. The shark is considered non-aggressive. 

read the WCS Release

Six Intel Semifinalists From Local School Districts

Congratulations to the following students who are 2016 Intel Semifinalists -  Only 300 students are announced as semifinalists each year. From this select pool, 40 finalists are then invited to Washington, DC in March to participate in final judging, display their work to the public, meet with notable scientists, and compete for three top awards of $150,000 each. 

John Patrick Jeffrey, 17, Kings Park HS

Emily Li, 17, Commack HS

Emily, McDermott, 17, Smithtown HS East

Mehtaab Singh Sawhney, 17. Commack HS

Kameron Sedigh, 17, Kings Park HS

Julian Ubriaco, 17, Kings Park HS

Enterprise Fleet Management Recommends Getting Rid Of Smithtown's Aging Fleet

Town Board discusses fleet management Smithtown Town Board met for a work session on Jan. 5. The first such meeting in 2016. The session began with Supervisor Vecchio welcoming Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo to the Town Board. Then the board got down to work. 

Town Comptroller Donald Musnug addressed the board about a proposal by Enterprise Fleet Management to operate a fleet management program for the town.  Smithtown currently has 192 vehicles under 26,000 lbs. operated by various departments. Many of them are well over the age when they operate at peak efficiency. Three men Jacob Garth, Peter Setaro and Jay Greene, representing Enterprise Fleet Management, explained to board members why fleet management is beneficial to the town.

Since September Comptroller Musnug has been working with Enterprise Fleet Management, exploring the benefits of their program which include ridding the town of older vehicles and adopting a policy that ensures that the replacements are kept for only five years.  Musnug spoke of “cost savings, economies and efficiencies.” Feeling very confident, Musnug proposed putting a resolution on the agenda to be voted on at the January 21st meeting.

Not so fast!, was the consensus of the board members.

The company is currently working with Brookhaven and Huntington managing their fleets. According to Jacob Garth, Government Marketing Agent, fleet management includes management and aquisitions as well as selling equipment at the optimal time and lowering operation costs.

Almost 60 percent of Smithtown’s 192 vehicles are over ten years old. The older the vehicle the more repair work required and less fuel efficiency. Enterprise predicted that the town’s fleet would eventually be reduced to 170 vehicles. “The goal of fleet management is to lower the age of the fleet and to do it for less than you are spending today without impacting your current budget.” said Jacob.

Board members peppered the presenters with questions. Councilwoman Nowick asked how Enterprise gets paid for their work. Apparently there are no additional costs to the town, according to Enterprise they make money from the purchase, sale and financing of the vehicles. 

While Board members did not commit to the Enterprise proposal, there was definitely interest. In a discussion with Councilman Wehrheim after the Town Board meeting, he expressed an interest in learning more. He had not known prior to the work session that this proposal was being considered. While he thought the discussion was positive, he wanted time to think it through and time to talk with department heads and to learn more. 

Supervisor Vecchio seemed supportive, but he too wanted more discussion before placing a resolution for a vote. 

Published Writers Form "LONG ISLAND AUTHORS’ CIRCLE"

PUBLISHED WRITERS FORM “LONG ISLAND AUTHORS’ CIRCLE”

Jeb LadouceurA group of published Long Island writers has formed an assemblage to be known as the “Long Island Authors’ Circle.” The newly established ‘LIAC’ is composed of six charter members who have been published individually in virtually every fiction and non-fiction genre; from poetry and drama, to journalism and novels.

The core group consists of four women and two men who hail from St. James, Northport, Dix Hills, Massapequa Park, and Smithtown. Their varied backgrounds include: Town Councilwoman, Newspaper Publisher, College Professor, Literary Critic, Businessman, and Television Personality. 

Purpose of the Authors’ Circle is the exchange of information and ideas valuable to members in the execution and furtherance of their respective writing crafts. Communication is conducted primarily via email, though physical meetings are held when proposed and unanimously agreed to by the charter participants.

Each of the core members may sponsor new Long Island candidates for membership if they have been published. When unanimously approved, nominees are invited to join the self-help organization.

The “Long Island Authors’ Circle” has no mandatory meetings or dues; no officers, committees, or elections; no by-laws; and participation in the group’s activities is at all times strictly voluntary.

“We’re sort of like the free-and-easy ‘Algonquin Round Table’ established by Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley and company,” said celebrity biographer, Richard Grudens, and poet-dramatist-novelist, Charlene Knadle, agreed. “This sort of ‘no-demands’ group is often the most successful,” she noted. Journalist, Pat Biancaniello, pointed out that “…with the availability of modern electronic communications, a productive ‘meeting’ can be conducted in minutes, where once it would require hours.”

The author of eleven novels, member Jeb Ladouceur, said that he has resisted joining organizations demanding time that he might otherwise devote to writing in his Smithtown study, and author Dina Santorelli was quick to agree. “The time seems right for an association like this,” she said. In the words of online journalist, Elise Pearlman, “The Long Island Authors’ Circle is a wonderful idea—it should be highly successful.”

Authors interested in learning more about the “Writers’ Circle” may contact any of the charter members at their email addresses: 

Pat Biancaniello                     pat@smithtownmatters.com

Richard Grudens                   celebpro4@aol.com

Charlene Knadle                    cbknadle@cbknadle.com

Jeb Ladouceur                       jebladouceur@aol.com

Elise Pearlman                       lotuselise1@aol.com

Dina Santorelli                       dina@dinasantorelli.com