West Shore Senior Wins European Union’s Young Scientist Award In Brussels
By Space Coast Daily // September 25, 2016
River Grace, a senior at West Shore Jr./Sr
The European Commission awarded top prizes to 45 young scientists for their outstanding science projects at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists award ceremony in Brussels, along with other valuable prizes such as science trips to Europe’s leading research laboratories.
River Grace, a senior at West Shore Jr./Sr., received a first place award for his project titled “Shining a Light on the Blind: Evolutionary Regression and Adaptive Progression in the Micro-vertebrate Ramphotyphlops braminus, a Model for Understanding Brain Organization and Complex Neurological Disorders.”
The European Union Contest for Young Scientists was set up by the European Commission in 1989 to encourage co-operation and exchange between young scientists and to give them an opportunity to be guided by some of Europe’s most prominent researchers.
The contestants presented their projects to an international independent jury in the hope of picking up one of the 36 prestigious prizes. They all had previously won first prize in their home country’s national science competitions in their specific field.
The projects covered a broad spectrum of scientific areas, including biology, physics, chemistry, computing, social sciences, environment, mathematics, materials, engineering and medicine.
“This year’s winners were picked in a tough competition involving 138 young researchers, who all came to Brussels with brilliant new ideas.
It is reassuring to see that Europe has so many bright young minds, who also have the determination and skills to turn their dreams into reality,” said Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for research, science, and innovation.
