Students Valentina Denet and Isabella Munnick Named Contest Winners at the Second Annual UAlbany in the High School Science Research Invitational Symposium

We are delighted to announce the winners of the Art & Science Contest and the Science Fiction Contest featured during the Second Annual UAlbany in the High School Science Research Invitational Symposium!

This year’s Art & Science Contest winner is Valentina Denet from Westlake High School. Valentina has a passion for English, Science and Art. She primarily works in watercolor and her award-winning piece was inspired by Nathanial Nolan’s zebrafish research on regenerating inner ear cells, with encouragement from her art teacher, Claudia Papazian. In the future, she hopes to study physical therapy, combining her passion for fitness with her desire to help others regain strength and achieve their best selves, both mentally and physically.

Our program also highlighted the Science Fiction Contest winner, Isabella Munnick from Westlake High School, who submitted the winning short story titled “Twin B.” Isabella is enrolled in honors English and the Science Research program, with a strong interest in psychology. She hopes to explore how video testimonials from cancer patients can help others feel supported during treatment. Outside the classroom, Isabella enjoys dance, theatre performance and creative writing.

Both of these entries can be viewed in the symposium program.