Two Shoreham-Wading River High School alumni members are succeeding in the field of science. Derek Blanco (Class of 2024) and Jalal Sawas (Class of 2021), who were part of the district’s science research program, published their research article, “Anthropogenic Influences on the Chemical and Mineral Composition in Pond Sentiment by X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy and X-Ray Power Diffraction,” in the June 19, 2025 edition of Quantum Beam Science. Under the direction of SWR science research teacher Dana Schaefer, who is also a SPARK Spectroscopy principal investigator and a Brookhaven National Lab SPARK Program adviser, the article was a collaboration between West Islip science teacher and co-principal investigator Mary Kroll and several BNL scientists who assisted with data preparation, data collection and data analysis at BNL’s National Synchrotron Light Source II.  

The article has a personal connection to Shoreham-Wading River as it represents the Science Research Program’s inaugural work with the SPARK program. The research analyzed the sediment of the pond located on the high school’s campus. The researchers used the NSLS-II facility and its beamlines to analyze the sediment using various types of spectroscopy, which is the study of the absorption and emission of light and other radiation by matter. The article can be read by clicking here.

“The research also strongly reflects the collaborative nature of science, both within our school and across several years of the research program, as well as across neighboring schools with the assistance of Mary Kroll,” Ms. Schaefer said. “It also reflects the collaboration between the educational and scientific communities, particularly between BNL and our district.”   

Jalal recently graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Science in biology and has plans to start medical school in 2026. In September 2025, Jalal was invited to present work on behalf of his Stony Brook University research group at the 41st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis in Barcelona. Additionally, Derek is currently studying as an undergraduate at Penn State University, where is he working toward a degree in chemical engineering. 

The District congratulates both Derek and Jalal on this outstanding and impressive accomplishment.