When she started drafting a paper on the use of biofuels in society, Westhampton Beach High School junior Jessica Curran had no idea that her words would earn her a finalist position in the environmental science category of the 2022 Stony Brook University Young Investigators Writing Competition.

“I was so excited when I found out I was a finalist,” said Curran.

Curran wrote her winning paper after approaching her teacher, Dr. Dianna Gobler, about research opportunities.

“I was interested in exploring environmental science,” said Curran.

The result was her winning 1,000-word analysis of biofuels that will be published in an upcoming issue of the Stony Brook University Young Investigators Review.

She is now expanding on her interest in environmental science and working on an Advanced Placement research project in which she is exploring the use of fertilizer made from seaweed in growing soybeans. She also intends to submit a paper for the 2023 Stony Brook University Young Investigators Writing Competition.

When not researching, Curran can be found volunteering for the Westhampton Beach Junior Ambulance or working on her Girl Scout Gold Award project. She is also a member of her school’s Environmental Club and Mathletes and serves as captain of the Quiz Bowl team.

Date Added: 1/11/2023