Westhampton Beach High School senior named scholar in 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search

Jack Schultz  thumbnail239877
Jack Schultz is the first Westhampton Beach High School senior to be named a scholar in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search. He is one of only 300 students from across the nation to earn the honor from the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition.

This is a proud moment for the district, said Westhampton Beach Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carolyn Probst. There is nothing better than seeing a student's hard work pay off in this type of national recognition. Award-winning research does not happen overnight and the district is most fortunate to have an educator with Dr. Diana Gobler's experience and dedication leading the science research program.

To earn the honor, a $2,000 scholarship and a chance to become a finalist in the competition, Schultz demonstrated his research skills, leadership, community involvement and commitment to academics through an application process. He submitted three of his research projects, including one related to the alteration of mineral and elemental composition in Saccharina latissima exposed to elevated levels of carbon dioxide. He has been working with scientists at Stony Brook Southampton and Brookhaven National Laboratory as part of the lab’s Student Partnerships for Advanced Research and Knowledge (SPARK) program. 

Schultz, an AP Scholar with Distinction, has also conducted extensive paleontology research, finding inspiration through dinosaur dig trips he took to Wyoming and Montana as part of the Westhampton Beach School District’s paleontology program. Recently, a paper that he and a Westhampton Beach alumnus wrote and researched, regarding methodology for dissolution of sediment and calcareous deposits for paleontological specimen collection and identification, was published by the peer-reviewed journal MethodsX. He is currently preparing two additional manuscripts for publication on kelp and on the KPg extinction event.

Schultz has recently completed a project to restore a 65-million-year-old dinosaur fossil along with his science research classmates and has devoted time to researching microfossils.

“I am thrilled that he is being recognized for all his incredible work and efforts,” said science research teacher Dr. Dianna Gobler. Jack walked into my classroom when he was in ninth grade. The district did not offer a science research program for freshmen then, but he began to do research on his own during his lunch. He has worked on his research tirelessly since then, usually two hours per day in the classroom and many more at home. His passion, work ethic and innate intellectual ability set him apart.”

When not researching, Schultz can be found outdoors running, fishing and skiing.

“This is just so incredible to be the first in Westhampton Beach to be named a Regeneron Scholar,” he said.

Schultz intends to study biochemistry and molecular biology in college.

“We look forward to seeing what his future brings,” said high school Principal Christopher Herr. “Jack is an incredible student who has taken advantage of every opportunity in Westhampton Beach.”

Date Added: 1/17/2023