Hampton Bays Student To Compete In Congressional Science Competition After Studying Cancer Therapy

Lily Simpson-Heavey has been selected by the Long Island Science Congress as the first Hampton Bays student to represent Long Island in the New York State Science Congress Competition, to be held this year on June 11.

The Hampton Bays senior and this school year’s salutatorian has been researching the leading treatment for combating cancer: chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, as a way to get immune cells, called T cells, a type of white blood cell, to fight chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The decision to study this topic was inspired by her late uncle, who died from the disease.

“Being selected to present on the state level is an honor I truly never expected,” Simpson-Heavey said. “I am always excited to get the chance to present on my research and advocate for something I believe will have a lasting impact on the medical community.”

The senior has been working on her research project for the past four years through the Hampton Bays School District’s science research program, and with assistance from her mentor, Dr. Jan Joseph Melenhorst of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She clocked countless hours in the lab during and after school, and, in the summer of 2021, she was working eight hours a day, six days a week.

“This is a huge accomplishment for Lily, for Hampton Bays and for our science research program,” said science research teacher Dr. Stephanie Forsberg. “I am beaming with pride. Lily’s determination, hard work and academic excellence have brought her innovative research to the next level and put another star on the map for our East End schools.”

The senior is one from only two schools in Suffolk County and 21 from Long Island to be selected out of over 1,000 entries islandwide.

“Lily is a brilliant and special young woman,” Hampton Bays High School Principal Chris Richardt said. “Her research in the field of immunology and work with Dr. Melenhorst at the University of Pennsylvania represents learning at its highest levels. Perhaps, most importantly, Lily’s research has the capacity to help those suffering with cancer. I could not be more proud of her work, service and selection to the Long Island Science Congress.”

When not working on her research, Simpson-Heavey can be found on the field as part of the Hampton Bays varsity lacrosse team. She is also the president of the high school’s Science Club. In the fall, she will attend the University of Pennsylvania to study biology on a premedical track.

“Lily personifies the vision of Hampton Bays’ schools — find out what you love and what you’re good at, and take advantage of every opportunity that the school can offer you,” Superintendent Lars Clemensen said. “When you do that, it pays off in ways like this.”