MHS Principal James Maloney recently announced that two students were named semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search.

The Science Research Program at Massapequa High School experienced another highly successful year in the Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS). Often considered the "Junior Nobel Prize," the Intel STS recognizes America's brightest students and their schools for excellence in science and math.

A nationwide competition since 1942, the Intel STS is America's oldest and most highly regarded pre-college science contest. Almost 2000 high school seniors in the United States enter each year, with finalists competing for the top prize, a $100,000 scholarship. In addition to scholarship money, students improve their chances for admission, scholarships and special programs offered by colleges and universities. This year's Intel STS semifinalists from Massapequa High School are Eric Paniagua and Phillip Glassberg.

Glassberg's research looked at how water, oxygen and nutrients mix vertically in the Long Island Sound. Glassberg recently presented his research at the Seventh Biennial Long Island Sound Research Conference at Stony Brook University.

Paniagua's research focused on using computational and mathematical tools to analyze the structure of the nervous system of the tiny worm C. elegans. Paniagua performed his research in cooperation with a research group studying theoretical neurobiology at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

The Massapequa High School Science Research Program is a highly successful effort to support students who strive to achieve award-winning recognition and publication of scientific research. The program stresses intellectual contribution, not only to advance the scientific body of knowledge, but also to affect positive social impact. Both Paniagua's and Glassberg's research projects have broad applications and provide insight into complex systems.

Finalists for Intel STS will be announced Jan. 26. The faculty and staff at Massapequa High School wish Paniagua and Glassberg the best of luck in the competition, and thank the Board of Education and administration at the Massapequa School District for making this research possible.