Yorktown High school senior, Eric Song, stands out not only as an editor for our school newspaper but also as a recipient of two prestigious research awards in the past few months.
Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar
Eric Song has been recognized as a Top 300 scholar in the 2024 Regeneron Science Talent Search. This highly competitive contest is renowned for spotlighting the remarkable achievements of high school seniors and their innovative research endeavors.
Eric’s project focuses on addressing the escalating threat of ransomware, a cyberattack method that holds computer data hostage in exchange for a ransom. His software not only detects ransomware but also disrupts the encryption key utilized by attackers to lock data, enabling users to recover their files.
Unlike most research in this field, Song’s project seeks to mitigate the repercussions of these attacks. He contends that preventive measures can be expensive, resource-intensive, and often ineffectual against determined attackers. Labeling ransomware as “one of the biggest threats to computing systems today,” Song endeavors to confront a multi-billion-dollar problem that has impacted numerous consumers, businesses, governments, and organizations globally.
Song’s passion for using his computer skills to help others has been nurtured through the Yorktown High School Science Research Program, which has provided him with unique opportunities to explore his favorite subject at an advanced level.
Reflecting on his experience, Song expressed gratitude for the Science Research program, emphasizing its role in facilitating connections with esteemed professionals in the field: “The Science Research program has given me so many opportunities to connect with the best and brightest of the field,” Song said. “I was able to connect to computer hackers, AI experts, and military and government officials. I don’t think I ever would’ve dreamed of having these opportunities without the program. Additionally, the program has many like-minded people driven toward improving the world through research, and they’re a fantastic bunch to be around.”
His science research project began in the summer of 2022 and has received high praise for its innovation and effectiveness. In 2023, he was awarded second place in the Systems Software category at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Dallas.
Paul Rubeo, Song’s instructor in science research at Yorktown High School, expressed deep pride in Song’s achievements and highlighted his self-driven nature. Rubeo lauded Song’s fervent dedication to his chosen topic and recognized the remarkable work he produced independently, with support from mentors and teachers.
“He deserves the recognition as a Science Talent Search Top 300 Scholar and we are very proud of him,” Rubeo remarked.
This year’s Science Talent Search was the most competitive since 1969, with 2,162 students submitting their projects for consideration. As a Top 300 scholar, Song has secured a $2,000 scholarship for both himself and Yorktown High School.
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Winner
In addition to his other accolades, Eric Song was a top recipient in the Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (WR-JSHS), hosted at Yorktown High School this year.
JSHS is designed to challenge and engage students (Grades 9-12) in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). Individual students compete for scholarships and recognition by presenting the results of their original research efforts before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers.
YHS and our Science Research Program hosted nearly 400 senior science research students from nearly 40 districts for the WR-JSHS competition.
Among the standout performers for YHS were Aaditya Wadekar, who secured 3rd place in his local category, and Sofia Nastasi and Eric Song, both victorious in the regional competition. They will proceed to the Upstate JSHS in Albany. Eric will compete for a chance to advance to the National JSHS competition.
Congratulations on your remarkable achievements, and we extend our best wishes for the future!
