Two Long Island students have been named among the top 300 in a 2025 national science competition.

Great Neck South High School freshman Jada Lin and Hauppauge High School freshman Mihir Sathish Kumar received the prestigious designation last month in the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, a contest run by the nonprofit Society for Science. They were selected out of nearly 2,000 students nationwide by a panel of scientists, engineers and educators, according to the nonprofit.

The Junior Innovators Challenge, which bills itself the nation’s “premier science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition,” asks middle schoolers to solve challenges of the future, with the top 300 Junior Innovators representing the “best and brightest middle school STEM talent in the U.S. and its territories,” the nonprofit said.

“These young innovators embody the most promising science and engineering talent in the nation,” Maya Ajmera, Society for Science’s president and chief executive, said in a statement.

Lin’s project explored assessing the “effectiveness of natural inhibitors in preventing conjugation-based horizontal gene transfer of ampicillin resistance” in the bacteria Escherichia coli under in vitro conditions, according to competition officials.

Kumar’s project explored using energy from falling raindrops to “make electricity with droplet-based generators,” he said.

“The energy can then power devices that check water quality in remote places in a low-cost and eco-friendly way,” said Kumar, who has received the Top 300 designation for the third straight year.

This year’s Junior Innovators each received $125 and a prize package that included a one-year subscription to Wolfram Mathematica software, according to competition officials.

LEVITTOWN

New principal

Jeffrey Myers has been named principal of Division Avenue High School in the Levittown school district. He replaced John Coscia, now the district’s director of health, athletics and physical education.

Myers was previously principal of Long Beach High School and before that was an assistant principal at Copiague High School. He began his career in 1994 as a social studies teacher at North Babylon High School.

“It is a privilege to join a school where achievement is celebrated and every success is shared,” Myers said in a statement. “I look forward to being part of the Division Avenue story and witnessing the remarkable accomplishments that make our Dragons truly exceptional.”

LONG BEACH

New principal

Andrew Smith has been named principal of Long Beach High School. He replaced Jeffrey Myers, now principal of Division Avenue High School in Levittown.

Smith had been the school’s vice principal since 2014, and before that was the school’s International Baccalaureate coordinator from 2010 until 2014. He joined the Long Beach school district as a social studies teacher in 2001.

“Long Beach High School has become my second home,” Smith said. “I look forward to bringing our school and students into the future as we adapt to revamped graduation requirements and the changing college and career landscape.”

NORTH MERRICK

New principal

Christine Talbot has been named principal of Harold D. Fayette School for elementary students in the North Merrick school district. She was the school’s interim principal during the 2024-25 school year.

Talbot’s other previous positions include interim principal of the district’s Old Mill Road Elementary School in 2021. She has also been the district’s supervisor of instructional technology, library media and data.

“A school is the heart of its community, and I am honored to join this one,” Talbot said in a statement. “Together, we will nurture curiosity and empower our students to shine.”

CORAM

New principal

Anthony Cavalluzzo has been appointed principal of Coram Elementary School in the Longwood school district. He replaced Kimberly Longo, now the district’s assistant superintendent for instruction and learning.

Cavalluzzo was previously assistant superintendent of Brookhaven Elementary School in the South Country school district since 2021.

“I’m honored to join the Coram Elementary family and excited to continue to build upon our school’s strong foundation for success and student support,” Cavalluzzo said. “I look forward to joining the team and supporting the district’s mission of ensuring that every child feels seen, supported and empowered to reach their full potential.”

DIX HILLS

New principal

Paul Perskin is the new principal of Half Hollow Hills High School East in the Half Hollow Hills school district. He replaced Milton K. Strong, now the district’s assistant superintendent for education operations.

Perskin had been an assistant principal at the Dix Hills school since 2017. Before that, he was a mathematics instructional coach and curriculum specialist in the New York City Department of Education.

“High School East has a proud tradition of academic excellence, student involvement and strong community ties,” Perskin said in a statement. “I am honored to serve as principal and excited to build upon our shared commitment to innovation, equity and student growth.”

ROCKY POINT

New principal

Nicole Pletka has been appointed principal of Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School in the Rocky Point school district. She replaced Linda Greening, now the district’s director of elementary education.

Pletka previously served three years as assistant principal at the district’s Frank J. Carasiti Elementary School. She also has been a sixth-grade teacher, math interventionist and a basketball, tennis and volleyball coach during her 20-year career.

“I am excited to build upon the strong foundation already in place — a school where positivity is palpable, meaningful learning opportunities are plentiful and every child is empowered to reach their fullest potential,” Pletka said.

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.