Biographies

Author: Frank LaBanca, Ed.D.


Who are you? What makes you tick? What brought all of us to this time and place together? In March, we will be making presentations to the community to share our research experiences. Our program book will contain a biography about each of you. Your task is to write that biography. Please post it here. It is always interesting to learn about the people we are in class with every day.

Samples:

Igor Zelenberg is a senior at Stamford High School. He swims for the varsity team during the winter and plays tennis for the varsity during the spring. This year Igor competed in the 2003 Intel Talent Search and was named a National Semifinalist in the Siemens Westinghouse Math, Science, and Technology Competition. Igor is eagerly awaiting college admission responses. He plans to study Biomedical and Chemical Engineering.

Katelyn Imbornoni is a senior at Stamford High School. Katelyn’s interests in the environment and science in general led to her joining the Research Program last year. In school, Katelyn is involved in many clubs such as Interact, Tri-M (a national music honors society), and is a proud member of the SHS Madrigals Singers. Next year, Katelyn will be pursuing a degree in Elementary Education although she is still unsure as to what school she will be attending.

Frank LaBanca, a Biology Teacher, directs the Applied Science Research Program at Newtown High School. He has taught Biology, Marine Biology, Advanced Placement Biology, and Science Research for the past eleven years. Previously he worked at the University of Connecticut in the Berg Bacterial Genetics Laboratory. His primary project was a mapping strategy for the HLA-C region of the immune system for the Human Genome Project. He has published articles in Biotechnology and Biology Education in Gene, The American Biotechnology Laboratory, The American Biology Teacher, The Science Teacher, The Connecticut Journal of Science Education, and The Natural Selection. Mr. LaBanca is a field consultant for BSCS (Biological Science Curriculum Study) in Colorado, a Chair Judge for the New York Academy of Science’s Science and Engineering Fair, an advisory board member of the Connecticut Science Fair, and an executive board member of the Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Mr. LaBanca has been recognized nationally as a GTE G.I.F.T. (Growth Initiatives for Teachers) Fellow, a RadioShack National Teacher for Excellence in Science, Math, and Technology, the Teachers Insurance Plan Teacher of the Year, and a National Education Association Innovation Grant Recipient.

26 Responses to “Biographies”

  1. maricate Says:

    Maricate Conlon is a junior at Newtown High School. She joined the applied science research course to further her interests in environmental and biological sciences. She competitively swims year-round and is a part of the girls varsity swim team. She is also involved in clubs at school; she is a member of the Guidance Honors Association and is her student class council secretary. In the future, she plans to pursue a degree in biological or environmental areas of study.

  2. Alex FLEMing Says:

    Alex Fleming is a sophmore at the NHS. He joined applied science research to discover a serious career in medical sciences. He started drumming at the age of seven. Through the combination of his passion for science and music, he developed his project that discusses muscle developement of the arms and fingers to increase drumming capability. He has been part of the NHS marching band and winter drumline as well as the drummer of several other bands. He is determined to be open-minded, considerate, and motivated. In the future, he plans to work primarilly as a doctor at the Mayo Clinic Facility in Jacksonville Florida with the addition of a part time job as the drummer of a fusion, rock, jazz, progressive metal, or reggae band.

  3. derek Says:

    Derek Calderara is a junior at Newtown High School. He joined applied science research because he wanted to experiment with independent learning. He enjoys moviesand music. He competitively snowboards/skis and has a house in Proctersville, VT. He is a member of Film Club and would like to pursue a career in film.

  4. Lauren Says:

    Lauren Nemeth is currently a senior at Newtown High School. She joined the Applied Science Research program to further her interest in the human brain. Lauren plays tennis year round and is captain of the Girls’ Varsity Tennis Team. She also enjoys soccer and skiing. Her greatest interests lie in foreign cultures and languages. She hopes to attend Bryant University next year to study International Business while maintaining some of her research on the human brain.

  5. Laura Koscomb Says:

    Laura Koscomb is a sophomore at Newtown High School. She joined Applied Science Research in the 2005-2006 school year to further her knowledge in science. Specifically in the Equine and Medical Lab Technology field. She has been riding horses for 8 years now and has a horse of her own. She is also a member of the Guidance Honors Association in school. She has always loved science from a very young age and continues to want to persue a career in medical sciences hopefully at the University of Massachusetts.

  6. Luke Fernandes Says:

    Luke Fernandes is a junior at Newtown High School. He took the applied science research course because he wanted to further his research in genetic diseases. He has been playing high school lacrosse since ninth grade. He is in the Leo Club and the Student Offering Support Club at school. He plays the guitar and trumpet. In the future he wants to apply to a four year university then go on to Medical School. He wants to be a physician in the future.

  7. Sam Says:

    Sam Wong is currently a junior at Newtown High School. She joined the applied science research class to futher her skills with DNA working at a BioTech company this summer in Asia. She plays varsity field hockey as well as lacrosse. She also enjoys surfing and music.She is also involved in SADD, FBLA and GHA. Lastly, she looks forward to pursuing a career in medicine.

  8. gabbby nastri Says:

    Gabby Nastri is a sophmore at Newtown High School. She joined the Applied Science Research course to independently study a topic she was very interested in, meteorolgy. She plays very competitve soccer year round of Yankee United premier soccer program and is a member of the high school varsity soccer team. She is also on the varsity track and field team. She is a member of the Peer Leadership program and of Students Against Destructive Decisions. In the future she plans to pursue a career in atmospheric science.

  9. Sarah Peck Says:

    Sarah Peck is a sophomore at Newtown High school. She joined the applied science research program to learn more about the areas she was interested in, specifically the human brain. She participates in Drama club and enjoys being with friends.

  10. Kelly Says:

    Kelly Lindell is a sophomore at Newtown High school. She joined the applied science research course to experiment with areas of science that are not offered as courses at NHS, specifically robotics. She enjoys making films, working with computers, and volunteering with various animal organizations in the community. She is founding the Students for the Promotion of Environmental Awareness and Animal Welfare club at Newtown High school. In the future she plans to pursue a career in engineering or veterinary sciences.

  11. kendra Says:

    Kendra O’Connor is a sophomore at Newtown High School. She chose to take the applied science research course to gain experience in independent learning and to learn more in the field of biology/geology. She also enjoys running indoor and outdoor track, snowboarding, and other various outdoor activites. She is a member of the Peer Leadership program at NHS, and hopes to persue a career in biological or geological sciences.

  12. Harriet Morgan Says:

    Harriet Morgan is a sophmore at Newtown High School. She joined applied science research to learn more about marine sciences. She has demonstrated an interest in bioluminescence expression in marine creatures. In her free time she plays soccer year round, she is a member of the Easton Premier team as well as a member of the high school junior-varsity soccer team. She also enjoys swimming, kayaking and basketball. She has played the saxaphone since the 5th grade and is a member of the Newtown Symphonic Band. She would like to pursue a career in sciences, specifically biology and medicine.

  13. Rebecca Reed Says:

    Rebecca Reed is a sophomore at Newtown High School. She joined the Applied Science Research course in order to pursure a particular area of science which she has been interested in for the past few years: artificial intelligence. She also took the course in order to develop independant learning skills that are not required by other courses at the high school. She is part of the Art Club and the Students Offering Support Club at Newtown High School. She has played the violin since fifth grade and plays soccer and softball. She enjoys being outside, rockclimbing and many other sports. She especially enjoys reading. She is very interested in the study of languages but she wants to pursue a career in science, especially dealing with artificial intelligence or some other form of robotics.

  14. Dayton Horvath Says:

    Dayton Horvath is a sophomore at Newtown High currently in the Applied Science Research Program. He joined the class to further his interests in physics, optics and lasers. Besides his interest in science, Dayton plays soccer throughout the year with the Newtown High School JV soccer team and with Samba TTP, a premiere team based in Newtown. During his free time, Dayton likes to ride dirtbikes and listen to music. He hopes to go into a career in science after highschool.

  15. Jonathan Bryant Says:

    Jonathan Bryant is a student in his junior year at Newtown High School. Some of his favorite pastimes are skiing and listening to music. He introduced and is now manager of ESL (English as a Second Language) as an afterschool club for community service hours; he also participates in the high school ski club. He aspires to earn a doctorate in pharmacology, hence he has joined applied science research to gain a better understanding of how pharmaceuticals work in the body. He plans on applying to USP (University of the Sciences in Philadelphia) next year to further his interests and knowledge in pharmacology.

  16. Sarah Gutbrod Says:

    Sarah Gutbrod is currently a senior at Newtown High School. Next year she plans on majoring in biomedical engineering while conducting independent research. She joined the Applied Science Research program in the 2005-2006 school year in order to be exposed to research opportunities as well as to understand the process of conducting independent research before entering college. She is interested in the medical field, especially allergic reactions and plans on pursuing a career as a research physician. She is also a member of the National Honors Society and Guidance Honors Association, as well as a certified EMT for the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

  17. Ivan Says:

    Ivan Virovets is a sophomore at NHS. He joined Applied Research class due to his interest in physical and biological sciences,which started many years ago, at least the physical part, when he discovered plans for a tesla coil on the internet and built one. From then on he loved high voltage, and then with the high school science program, also developed an interest in microbiology.

  18. Laura Says:

    Laura Konkos is a junior at Newtown High School. She has attended JSHS for the past two years and has had a huge interest in science for many years. She has joined Applied Science Research in order to get more involved in what she enjoys, work with people in the field she enjoys to get a better understand of it, and further her education. She played basketball for Newtown High her first year, but for the past two years has been part of a half time dance club called Markettes. She has been invited and might be part of a Fusions club, to mentor younger kids, and enjoys helping others. In the future I plan on doing more reasearch ,and furthering my education, as well as hopefully finding a sucessful science business when I am older.

  19. alex albritton Says:

    Alex Albritton is a junior at Newtown High School. His passions in life are science reading and swimming. Alex’s favorite subject in science is biology and he is especially interested in viruses. He is currently working of a project involving a bacteriophage. His love of reading is what actually led him to his interest in biology and viruses. He became interested in viruses when he read an extremely interesting book called the Hot Zone by Richard Preston. This book painted a very real and terrifying image about some of the most dangerous viruses in the world. Alex also enjoys swimming and is on the Newton High Schools boy’s swim team.

  20. drew Says:

    Drew Taylor is a junior at Newtown High School. He plays on the varsity soccer and golf team. He works at Rock Ridge Country Club as well as Southington Mountain as a snowboard instructor. He took Applied Science research to further his interests in ecology and the Long Island Sound. Drew is also Vice President of student council and a member of SADD, Students Against Destructive Decisions. He is presently looking to apply to the Air Force Academy, where he wants to become a pilot.

  21. dan bunger Says:

    Dan Bunger is a Junior at Newtown High School. He has lived his entire life in Newtown, Connecticut with his two brothers and parents. He has been a die-hard Mets fan for seven years. Whether it is going to games, watching them on TV, or keeping up with news, he is completely dedicated to the team. some other passions that he has are participating in Film Club and Junior State of America. His interests in science include biochemistry for its abstract ideas and its practical applications. In order to further research on this topic he now takes Apllied Science Research. While he is unsure about what he wants to do in the future, it does look bright.

  22. Alex de Brantes Says:

    Alex de Brantes is a senior at Newtown High School. He just transfered to Newtown High School this year. His intrest include soccer, pick up games football, and plans on playing varsity tennis in the spring. He joined Applied Science Research class in order to expand his knowledge of carears in science and intrests.

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