APS Students Excel at the Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) Research Symposium

Over 140 APS students were selected to present their scientific research at the 2020 Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) Symposium, which was held virtually this year.

The following students received awards in their sections. Other awards, such as Special Awards, VJAS Honor Awards, and Scholarships will be announced later in June 2020. The full list of awardees, as well as additional information about the organization and competition, can be found on the VJAS website, www.vjas.org.

First Place
Aria Clarisse Merrill (Jefferson): Chemical Sciences A
Harriet G. Shapiro (Jefferson): Ecology and Earth Sciences A
Elaine Chu (Jefferson): Engineering and Technology A
Moya Zouhon (Jefferson): Plant Sciences and Microbiology A

Second Place
Noah Portner (W-L): Botany A
Stephen Rozen & Jake Lanier (W-L): Chemistry A
Mae E. Seward (Jefferson): Ecology and Earth Sciences A
Michael Dertke & Fardeen Bablu (W-L): Engineering A
Emma G. Abramson (Jefferson): Engineering and Technology A
Juliana Lomas (W-L): Earth and Environmental Science A
Estee Ruiz (W-L): Earth and Environmental Science B
Maryam Elgindy (Williamsburg): Human Behavior
Adam Stievater (W-L): Microbiology and Cell Biology A
Elise M. Rickard (Jefferson): Plant Sciences and Microbiology A
Benjamin Portner (W-L): Zoology

Third Place
Cameron Beck Piehota-Abbott (Jefferson): Animal and Human Sciences
Haley Baasansukh (Swanson): Chemical Sciences A
Richa Dhakal (Jefferson): Ecology and Earth Sciences A
Eloise Minnigh (Williamsburg): Ecology and Earth Sciences B
Mahia Rahman (W-L): Engineering A
Raphael Sanchez (Arlington Tech): Engineering B
Sophia Voulgaris (Jefferson): Engineering and Technology A
Lily Odenwelder (W-L): Earth and Environmental Science B
Akira Lux (Swanson): Physical Science and Astronomy
Rose Haron (W-L): Statistical Analysis and Inferences

Honorable Mention
Sassan Fiske (W-L): Botany A
Madison Goeke (W-L): Botany A
Elizabeth B. Adams (Hamm): Chemical Sciences A
Ava M. George (Jefferson): Chemical Sciences A
Daisy Maxwell (Swanson): Chemical Sciences A
Anne Licato (W-L): Chemistry
AIsla Wermouth (Kenmore): Ecology and Earth Sciences A
Caroline Colucia (W-L): Engineering A
Eyuel Teguwaze Berhanu (Jefferson): Engineering and Technology A
Liam King (Swanson): Engineering and Technology A
Charlotte Minnigh (Williamsburg): Engineering and Technology A
Andrea Goodell (W-L): Earth and Environmental Science A
Ellie Potts (W-L): Earth and Environmental Science B
Zoe Salen & Ananya Sinha (Swanson): Physical Science and Astronomy
Nominjin Nancy Shinekhuu (Jefferson): Plant Sciences and Microbiology
AJaya Shah (Williamsburg): Plant Sciences and Microbiology A
Colin Berry (Yorktown): Statistical Analysis and Inferences