High school seniors in Questar III’s New Visions: Scientific Research & World Health program held an Epidemiology Studies Public Health Poster Session at University of Albany’s School of Public Health located at its East Campus in Rensselaer.
The Annual Student Poster Day is not only the culmination of a comprehensive 30 page research paper using at least 12 peer reviewed journal articles, but also an opportunity for the students to share their work with others.
Much of mankind’s future health depends upon the knowledge and capabilities of tomorrow’s researchers, practitioners and health leaders. This group of future leaders identified specific health concerns and investigated the various biological, behavioral, environmental and social factors that affect those issues.
Each of the 11 students created a poster on a specific topic of their choice, such as “Increased Asthma Prevalence Among Firefighters Who Responded to the September 11th Attacks on the World Trade Center,” “Secondary Malignancies Following Radiation Treatment for Primary Breast Cancer,” “The Link Between Excitotoxins in Food Additives and Migraine Headaches: A Literature Review” and many other science related topics.
Averill Park senior, Ryan Milkiewicz’s researched the increased prevalence of asthma among the firefighters who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th.
Averill Park senior, Ryan Milkiewicz’s researched the increased prevalence of asthma among the firefighters who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th.
“Projects like this are great because I enjoy the independence and the ability to choose topics that interest me,” he said. “New Visions is challenging and science based which is what I’ve wanted to focus on.”
Milkiewicz plans to study medicine in college, but is currently undecided about where he will attend.
A senior from Columbia High, Erica Otterbeck chose to study “Secondary Malignancies Following Radiation Treatment for Primary Breast Cancer"
Erica Otterbeck chose to study “Secondary Malignancies Following Radiation Treatment for Primary Breast Cancer.” Her research led her to look into the long-term negative effects of radiation treatment for breast cancer patients.
A senior from Columbia High School, she said, “This project was a good experience because it gave me more respect for research and how tedious the process can be.”
Otterbeck will attend Messiah College next year to study physical therapy.
New Visions teacher Ruth Russell said, “Our world’s future depends on the training and capabilities of tomorrow’s leaders. These New Visions students, upcoming health professionals, identified specific public health concerns, investigated the multiple factors affecting those issues and suggested ways to ameliorate those problems.”
The accelerated half-day program is held at the University at Albany’s East Campus from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. daily. Students spend the rest of the school day in their home district.
