Berkshire School senior (and a BCD alum who started in Lower School) Viggo Blomquist , has been selected as a semifinalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. The STS is considered the nation’s most prestigious science competition for high school students. The contest was renamed this year following a change in sponsorship (previously the Intel STS). Viggo is the eighth Berkshire School student in eight years to be named a semifinalist.
Viggo, who was born with a heart arrhythmia, researched a novel gene therapy technique to counteract why arrhythmia happens. “It’s a cool experience for me to work on something that I can related to at this level,” he said of his research.
Every year, about 1,800 high school students enter the contest. The semifinalists were announced on Wednesday when Viggo learned he was among one of only eight students from Massachusetts selected.
“It’s an awesome feeling,” he said. “It’s great to be able to complete a body of work that not only accurately depicts one’s efforts, but also tells a story in science. I’m just happy to have had the mentorship and opportunity to do the work that I’ve done. The award process has been incredibly rewarding, and I couldn’t be happier.”
“I am so excited that Viggo was selected as one of the top 300 science scholars in the nation,” said Dr. April Burch, director of Berkshire’s Advanced Math/Science Research program. “Viggo worked hundreds of hours during the academic year and his summer vacation on this project. His work, which will be included in a publication later this month, provides proof that genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and hERG (a type of heart disease) can be treated with special molecules that correct the genetic mutation and restore function. Viggo is the perfect example of how hard work and determination pay off.” (source – Berkshire School)
(source – Berkshire School)