One very talented young High School student from Smithtown is one of six to be awarded as a rising scientist scholarship recipient by The Child Mind Institute. The prestigious institute presented scholarships, awarded to a short list of the most outstanding high school students throughout the New York metro area. Smithtown High School West student, Caitlin Unkenholz, was among the six exceptional students to be awarded with the scholarship.
“I’m pleased to acknowledge these young investigators and their inspiring curiosity and drive… I look forward to watching these students accomplish incredible things, and I am sure they will advance our understanding of the brain in novel ways.” – Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, founding president of the Child Mind Institute
Each student selected was chosen based on exceptional promise demonstrated in science and a specific interest in neuroscience. The students received $1000 each during the annual scientific symposium for the nonprofit group, On the Shoulders of Giants. The event took place at the 2016 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s annual meeting in New York City.
The 2016 Child Mind Institute Rising Scientist:
- Maximilian Bazil, John F. Kennedy High School (Bellmore)
- Cosette Davis, Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
- Rachel Goldman, Ardsley Union Free School District
- Claire Kelly, John F. Kennedy High School (Bellmore)
- Lauren Singer, Scarsdale High School
- Caitlin Unkenholz, Smithtown High School West
In addition to receiving a scholarship, the parents and faculty sponsors of each student were also invited to attend a breakfast with special guest John L.R. Rubenstein, MD, PhD, the Nina Ireland Distinguished Professor in Child Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and the 2016 Child Mind Institute Distinguished Scientist. The Child Mind Institute Rising Scientist Awards were created to not only recognize outstanding achievement in science, and to nurture students’ love of science and encourage them to continue their research and study of the brain.