Valedictorian - Harvard-bound 2009 North Haven High School valedictorian Fiona Wood credited her participation in last year’s Intel International Science Fair with peaking her interest for a future in scientific research.

“It was a real scientific symposium,” Wood said. “It was a lot of fun and a good experience.”

The annual Intel International Science Fair invites 1,500 top high school students from 50 countries to showcase their individual research. The 2008 fair was held in Atlanta, Ga. Wood’s project, “A Numerical Model of Late-Spiking Neurons,” focused on constructing computational models of different networks of neurons that would allow the brain to encode time.

Wood said that she gained valuable experience in having the opportunity to converse with like-minded youngsters and adults at the fair, and also benefited in the process leading up to the event.

“Working on my project and doing the scientific research, it showed me how scientific research really works,” Wood said.

Wood’s research was born out of an internship acquired at a Yale University neuroscience lab through simply her own ambition and initiative. Desiring to gain research experience, and as just a junior in high school, Wood searched the Web and came across Dr. Thomas Brown, professor of Psychology and Cellular and Molecular Physiology at Yale University. Undaunted, Wood e-mailed the Yale professor with a request to take part in his lab. Brown accepted.

“It was a great experience being an intern,” Wood said, adding that Brown took a lot of his time to mentor her.

Also instrumental to Wood’s education was NHHS computer science teacher Marilynn Kramar. “She was a great mentor through the years,” Wood said.

Additionally, Kramar was the advisor for the high school’s computer club, an organization for which Wood served as president. “She was an enthusiastic coach,” Wood said of Kramar’s work with the club.

Wood, the only child of Margaret Tivnan and Douglas Wood, also plays the violin and recently embarked with the NHHS chamber orchestra to Ocean City on a band trip.

At Harvard, Wood plans to combine a study of both computer science and neuroscience, her goal being a professor position in a research lab, much like Brown at Yale. “I enjoy doing research,” Wood said, “and I would enjoy being a professor because you would be sharing what you are interested in with other people.”

Wood’s 2009 science fair project, which she presented at the Connecticut State Science Fair at Quinnipiac University, was entitled “Biophysically Realistic Computational Models of Temporal Encoding in Cortex.”

Wood said that she is going to miss her teachers at North Haven High School. “They were great teachers,” the valedictorian said, “especially Mrs. Kramar and the math teachers.”

Unquestionably a role model for incoming high school freshman, Wood offered words of advice for the future classes at NHHS. “The most important thing to do is to try new things,” Wood said. “Don’t be limited by what’s available – take initiative. Open opportunities for yourself.”

Wood would know – not only did she talk her way into a research internship at Yale University as a junior, she also made the national science fair later that year, despite the fact that NHHS was not directly involved with a science fair program.

“I realized I had a good project, and I entered the state fair,” Wood said. And from there she made Intel International Science Fair, another stop on her way to Harvard.

Salutatorian
 

Stephanie Grilo, North Haven High School’s 2009 salutatorian, partly derived inspiration for her future plans from two recent teachers, Peter Sagnella and Susan Iverson.

“I enjoyed how much they wanted you to succeed,” Grilo said of the instructors, “but at the same time helped you do it your own way.”

Grilo said that Iverson, from whom she took advanced placement biology, got her intrigued in medical studies, while Sagnella’s advanced placement language class led Grilo to take a liberal arts approach to medicine. Combining the two focuses, Grilo said she planned to pursue a degree in medicine and public health when she attends Columbia University next fall.

While studying in New York City, Grilo hopes to come away with both a doctoral degree in medicine as well as a Master of Public Health. “That way I can work more globally with assisting in access to health care,” she said, “especially in Third World countries that do not have good access.”

Grilo added that the World Health Organization is a program that has helped to foster her interest in global medicine.

Among her many valuable experiences accrued while in North Haven, Grilo spoke fondly of time spent volunteering as a tutor at the Benhaven Home for autistic adults.

“I learned a lot about patience and consistency,” she said. “It also taught me a lot about community service.”

“It’s a win, win situation,” Grilo added about community service. “The people in need are receiving it, and the people giving it receive something in return.”

Adding to her interest in medicine was Grilo’s volunteer work for the Yale New Haven Hospital’s pediatric department. Grilo worked with children and newborns, playing with the children and assisting in the administration of their health needs.

A liberal arts approach to medicine also seems to be ingrained in Grilo from the beginning – her father Carlos is a psychologist, and her mother Diana a nurse. Additionally, her older sister Christina is a pre-med and psychology major at New York University. “She was also a role model for me,” Grilo said of her sister.

The 2009 salutatorian said that she is going to miss the North Haven High School community, teachers, and students, as well as her friends, none of whom will also be attending Columbia. “But that might be a good thing,” Grilo added wisely.

As she departs the North Haven High School hallways for the last time, Grilo offered advice for the incoming generations of students who will soon take up the same classes and causes at which Grilo once excelled.

“Keep an open mind, and take classes and things that you’re not necessarily comfortable with,” Grilo said. “Challenge yourself and set your goals high.”