Urban Barcode Project
Symposium & Finalist Archive

Symposium: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012

2023-24 Symposium

Thank you to all of the teams who submitted proposals, performed experiments, and will present project results at the poster sessions held at The City Tech Theater on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 PM.

At a glance:

  • 180 students
  • 19 mentors
  • 15 schools

55 DNA barcoding projects:

  • 44% plants
  • 27% invertebrates
  • 16% fungi
  • 9% bacteria
  • 2% lichen

Keynote Address

DNA Barcoding, oh the places you'll go!

Stephen E. Harris, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Purchase College, SUNY

Outstanding Poster

Hillary Xie and Wendy Guo

The Effect of Invasive Stiltgrass on Biodiversity of Ground-Level Plant Species in Northern NJ Forests

Wendy Guo and Hillary Xie, Tenafly High School
Mentored by Anat Firnberg, Tenafly High School

Japanese Stiltgrass reduces biodiversity of ground-level plant species due to its smothering growth and potentially negative effects on soil composition. We studied its effects on local ecosystems by examining plant-life and soil composition in both stiltgrass-infested and control, or stiltgrass-free areas. We collected soil and plant tissue samples from various plots in forested areas. Infested plots hosted lower biodiversity in terms of species richness and relative abundance. We conclude that Japanese Stiltgrass reduced biodiversity drastically and dominated the forest floor by amassing in dense patches, leaving little room for competitor species. Stiltgrass outcompetes less resilient native species and destabilizes the ecosystem, disrupting normal ecological function. Our soil tests have indicated that Stiltgrass growth raises phosphorus levels but does not affect soil composition significantly otherwise.

2022-23 Symposium

Thank you to all of the teams who submitted proposals, performed experiments, and will present project results at the poster sessions held at The City Tech Theater on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 PM.

At a glance:

  • 124 students
  • 20 mentors
  • 18 schools

45 DNA barcoding projects:

  • 42% plants
  • 33% invertebrates
  • 18% lichen
  • 7% fungi

Keynote Address

Autocatalytic Mutualisms and the Evolution of Biological Systems

David Kizirian, Ph.D.
Curatorial Associate, Department of Herpetology, Division of Vertebrate Zoology American Museum of Natural History

Outstanding Poster

Nikhil Jathavedam and Justin Byun

Biodiversity of Fungi in Northern New Jersey

Justin Byun and Nikhil Jathavedam, Tenafly High School
Mentored by Anat Firnberg, Tenafly High School

The fungi kingdom acts as decomposers, using enzymes to break down organic materials, and as networkers of nutrients, spreading wide networks called mycelium that interacts with plant roots forming symbiotic relationships. The study identified the species of fungi and estimate fungi density in Northern New Jersey that have implications for preserving forest habitats in rapidly changing environments due to pollutants. Results from soil testing revealed that pH soil levels were predominantly acidic to neutral, and the nitrogen and phosphorus levels were adequate to surplus. DNA analysis and density calculations revealed high fungal biodiversity in forests and low amounts of fruiting bodies. The numerous species of fungi in Northern New Jersey harbor an advantageous environment for the growth of plants that are essential for the health of forest habitats.

2021-22 Symposium

Thank you to all of the teams who submitted proposals, performed experiments, and will present project results at the poster sessions held at The City Tech Theater on Friday June 3, 2022 from 4:00-7:00 PM.

At a glance:

  • 104 students
  • 18 mentors
  • 15 high schools

37 DNA barcoding projects:

  • 59% animals
  • 38% plants
  • 3% lichen

Keynote Address

Disturbed and Diverse: NYC microbial communities have elevated levels of biodiversity

Theodore Muth, Ph.D.
Professor, CUNY Brooklyn College

Outstanding Poster

Eileen Zheng and Veronica Ng

Performing Barcoding and Soil Analysis to Investigate Ecosystem Resilience in Different Flood Zones of Brooklyn, NY

Veronica Ng and Eileen Zheng, Brooklyn Technical High School
Mentored by Michael Estrella and Risa Parlo, Brooklyn Technical High School

With climate change and rising sea levels, regions near the coast, including south Brooklyn, are exposed to massive flooding and intense precipitation. Previous research discovered flooding shifts species distribution and soil acidity and salt concentrations increase while potassium (K), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels decrease. We therefore predicted a trend in the evacuation zones that would go from low pH-high salt-low nutrient in more flood prone areas to high pH-low salt-high nutrient in less flood prone areas. Thus, areas more susceptible to flooding would have greater salt-tolerant species. Surprisingly, after DNA barcoding and performing soil analyses on samples collected from every zone, we found no such correlation between the evacuation zone and pH, salt concentration, and nutrient levels. Ultimately, investigating if there is a correlation between evacuation zones and the prevalence of different species will hopefully assist in guiding solutions to weathering climate change and protecting biodiversity.

2020-21 Symposium

Thanks to all of the teams who submitted proposals, performed experiments, and presented project results at the Virtual Symposium on Wednesday, June 1, 2021.

At a glance:

  • 33 participating teams
  • 96 students
  • 16 mentors

Keynote Address

Understanding, deconstructing and rebuilding microbiomes to make a better world

Javier A. Izquierdo, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biology, Hofstra University

2019-20 Symposium

The ninth year of the Urban Barcode Project concluded on Thursday, June 4, 2020 during a Virtual Symposium.

At a glance:

  • 27 participating teams
  • 116 students
  • 12 mentors

Keynote Address

How I became a rainforest explorer: Ant genomes to microbiomes

Corrie S. Moreau, Ph.D.

Moser Professor of Arthropod Biosystematics and Biodiversity and curator of the Cornell University Insect Collection (CUIC)

2018-19 Symposium

The eighth year of the Urban Barcode Project concluded on May 30, 2019 with poster presentations at the New York Academy of Medicine, New York.

At a glance:

  • 41 participating teams
  • 119 students
  • 17 mentors
  • 12 high schools and 1 academic institution

Taxonomic group studied:

  • 59% animals
  • 29% plants
  • 7% eDNA
  • 2% lichen
  • 2% fungi

Students collected 600+ samples—an average of 15 samples per team—that generated over 630 sequences.

Keynote Address

Wild Microbes

Claudia Wultsch, Ph.D.

Hunter College, City University of New York
Sackler Lab of Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History
Jaguar Program, Panthera

Outstanding Poster

Katya Naphtali

Investigating the Origins of Invasive Earthworms in the Soil of Public, Private, Residential, and Commercial Areas of Greenpoint

Katya Naphtali, Institute for Collaborative Education, Manhattan
Mentored by TR Muth, Brooklyn College

Earthworms species diversity indicates pollution levels and abundance indicates disruption of soil structure. The student utilized earthworms as bioindicators in public and private locations in Greenpoint, Brooklyn to observe the functionality of the soil and need for bioremediation. More than 30 earthworms from 12 sites were collected, identified taxonomically, and identified genetically through DNA Barcoding. The abundance data demonstrates no significant difference between public and private locations. Based on DNA sequencing, the diversity is higher in private locations than public locations, indicating that they are less disturbed.

2017-18 Symposium

The seventh year of the Urban Barcode Project concluded on May 24, 2018 with poster presentations at the New York Academy of Medicine, New York. Supported by The Thompson Family Foundation.

At a glance:

  • 54 participating teams
  • 160 students
  • 22 mentors
  • 19 high schools

Taxonomic group studied:

  • 54% animals
  • 38% plants
  • 4% fungi
  • 4% other

Students collected 820+ samples—an average of 15 samples per team—that generated over 700 sequences.

Keynote Address

An Ecosystem in a Drop of Water: Molecular Approaches to Surveying Aquatic Biodiversity in Urban Habitats.

Elizabeth Alter, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Marine Evolutionary & Ecological Genetics
York College and The Graduate Center, CUNY

Outstanding Poster

Garrett Friedman, Leo Satlof, and Spencer O’Flanagan

Snail Diversity in Van Cortlandt Park

Garrett Friedman, Leo Satlof, and Spencer O'Flanagan.
Mentored by Anne Kloimwieder, Ethical Culture Fieldston School

The winning team examined the relationship between water quality at various locations of Van Cortlandt Park and the species of snail present. Students collected more than 30 snails from three separate locations within the park and identified 6 different species through DNA barcoding. At each collection, site water quality measurements were recorded, as high fertilizer runoff and pollution affect the species that reside in the water. Results indicate that all locations investigated contained many more pollution-resistant lunged snails than pollution-sensitive gilled snails.

2016-17 Symposium

The sixth year of the Urban Barcode Project concluded on May 25, 2017 with poster sessions at the New York Academy of Medicine, New York. Funded in part by The Thompson Family Foundation

At a glance:

  • 43 participating teams
  • 139 students
  • 21 mentors
  • 18 high schools

Taxonomic group studied:

  • 56% plants
  • 21% animals
  • 14% other
  • 9% microbes

Students collected 570+ samples—an average of 13 samples per team—that generated over 900 sequences.

Keynote Address

Some Adventures in Urban Barcoding

Jesse H. Ausubel

Director, Program for the Human Environment
The Rockefeller University

Outstanding Posters

Allison Granberry, Jesus Bailon, Julia Martino, Nathalee Almonte, and Damon P. Little.

Barcoding Roots to Identify Biodiversity at the Margin of a Small Urban Forest

Nathalee Almonte, Julia Martino, and Jesus Bailon, Hostos-Lincoln Academy.
Mentored by Allison Granberry, Hostos-Lincoln Academy, and Damon P. Little, New York Botanical Garden.

The winning team studied the biodiversity of a small urban forest, the Thain Family Forest in the Bronx, New York, by DNA barcoding individual roots found in soil samples. The results were compared to an “above ground” morphological data bank in order to determine if below ground plant material could characterize the above ground ecosystem. Results show that while five plant species were reliably identified, DNA barcoding roots did not resolve several other samples to the species level. More than one fourth of the species collected were an invasive species, the Eurasisan native Poa annua.

2015-16 Symposium

The fifth year of the Urban Barcode Project concluded on June 3, 2016 with poster sessions at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, New York.

At a glance:

  • 57 participating teams
  • 172 students
  • 27 mentors
  • 22 high schools

Taxonomic group studied:

  • 44% plants
  • 37% animals
  • 10.5% algae
  • 7% fungi
  • 1.5% other

Students submitted 850+ samples for sequencing—an average of 15 samples/team —that generated over 1200+ sequences.

Outstanding Posters

First Place
Management of an Invasive Species, Corydalis incisa, Along the Bronx River

Sammy Baez, Rosa Bermejo, Josiah Estacio and Sydia Fraguada, mentored by Allison Granberry, Hostos Lincoln Academy, and Damon Little, New York Botanical Garden

Second Place
Assessing the Accuracy of the Usage of Lichens as Index Organisms Through the Assessment of Lichen Species with DNA Barcoding

Bryant Lee, Jai Yoon Chung, and Kengo Kuwama, mentored by Helen Coyle, Tenafly High School

Third Place
The Effect of Salt Marsh Restoration on Ant Biodiversity

Akansha Thakur, Ilona Petrychyn, and Indu Puthenkalam, mentored by Camila Lock, Forest Hills High School

2014-15 Symposium

Thanks to all of the teams who submitted proposals, performed experiments, and presented project results at the poster sessions held at the American Museum of Natural History on May 27, 2015. Seven teams were selected to give oral presentations and compete for the grand prize at the UBP Symposium Award Ceremony on June 8, 2015 at AMNH.

At a glance:

  • 50 participating teams
  • 170 students
  • 29 mentors
  • 22 high schools, 14 public and 8 private

Taxonomic group studied:

  • 62% plants
  • 29% animals
  • 7% microbes
  • 2% fungi

Students submitted 700+ samples for sequencing—an average of 14 samples/team —that generated over 900+ sequences.

Keynote & Finalist Presentations

  • Welcome:
    [00:00:00]
  • Award Ceremony Remarks:
    [00:03:30] Keynote – Susan Perkins, Ph.D.
  • Finalist Presentations:
    [00:45:00] Proof of Panax
    [00:55:40] Fish Fraud in NYC
    [01:07:00] In Search of Invasive Plants
    [01:18:45] Bacteria in NY Water Sources
    [01:31:00] Smartphone Bacterial Microbiomes
    [01:41:20] The Impacts on a Marine Ecosystem
    [01:53:30] Macroinvertebrate Bioindicators

Awards Ceremony

Judges:

  • Susan Perkins, Ph.D.
    Curator and Professor, Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics and Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History
  • Ana Fernandez-Sesma, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
  • Shreya Shah
    Educator and Microbiologist, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Finalists

Grand Prize Winners
Utilizing DNA Barcoding to Identify Macroinvertebrate Bioindicators in Queens Parks

Armani Khan and Jessica Kuppan, mentored by Karen Wong, High School For Construction Trades, Engineering, and Architecture

Second Prize Winners
Proof of Panax: Discovering fraudulence in American ginseng products using DNA barcoding

Ella Epstein and Laura Glesby, mentored by Ileana Rios, Trinity School

Third Prize Winners:
The Effect of Human Impact On Invasive And Native Species Within A Marine Ecosystem

Daval Ram, Nick Holt, and Ron Bepat, mentored by Karen Wong, High School For Construction Trades, Engineering, and Architecture

Third Prize Winners
Fraud, Mislabeling, and Misidentification of Fish Species Sold in New York City

Zachary Glass and Paul Kasiuaunis, mentored by Anat Firnberg, Tenafly High School

Honorable Mention
Bacteria in New York Water Sources

Sarafina Oh, Benjamn Shapiro, Caitlyn Tien, mentored by Matthew Wallenfang and Michelle Lee, Horace Mann School

Honorable Mention
Using DNA Barcode to Survey Seed Distribution Along the Bronx River

Josiah Estacio, Hayford Frempong, Laura Velazquez, and Lizbeth Ortigoza-Pacheco, mentored by Allison Granberry, Hostos-Lincoln Academy and Damon Little, New York Botanical Garden

Honorable Mention
Testing the Correlation Between the Bacterial Microbiomes Found on Mother’s and Their Children’s Smartphones

Azeez Adeyemi, Daniela Finkel, and Tyler Lederer-Plaskett, mentored by Howard Waldman and Adriana Andrade, Ethical Culture Fieldston School

2013-14 Symposium

Thanks to all of the teams who submitted proposals, performed experiments, and presented project results at the poster sessions held at the American Museum of Natural History on May 27, 2014. Six teams were selected to give oral presentations and compete for the grand prize at the UBP Symposium Award Ceremony on June 2, 2014 at AMNH.

At a glance:

  • 38 participating teams
  • 120 students from 26 high schools
  • 22 mentors from 19 institutions

Taxonomic group studied:

  • 47% plants
  • 48% animals
  • 5% fungi

Students submitted 500+ samples—an average of 13 samples/team —that generated over 800+ sequences.

Keynote & Finalist Presentations

  • Welcome:
    [00:00:00] Welcome
    [00:03:00] Diversity of Ants in Park
  • Award Ceremony Remarks:
    [00:07:05] Keynote – Mark Stoeckle, Ph.D.
  • Finalist Presentations:
    [00:25:45] Hot Dogs: The Animal Inside
    [00:37:30] Seahorses
    [00:51:20] What's in Your Cup of Coffee
    [01:06:20] Meat Industry Mislabeling
    [01:17:05] Ethnic Market Sausage Mislabeling
    [01:27:25] Halal Cart Meat Legitimacy<

Presentation of Awards

Judges:

  • Mark Stoeckle, Ph.D.
    Senior Research Associate, Program for the Human Environment, The Rockefeller University
  • Cristina Trowbridge
    Senior Manager of Professional Development, American Museum of Natural History
  • David Kizirian, Ph.D.
    Curatorial Associate, American Museum of Natural History

Finalists

Grand Prize Winners
Using DNA Barcoding to Compare the Trade of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Seahorses, and the Domestic Trade of Seahorses

Eric Bovee and Megan Peters, mentored by Marissa Bellino and J.T. Boehm, High School for Environmental Studies

Second Prize Winners
Street Meat: Investigation of the Legitimacy of NYC Halal Carts Using DNA Barcoding

Maliha Rahman and Annie Yang, mentored by Ileana Rios, Trinity School

Third Prize Winners
Nice to Meat You: Using DNA Barcoding to Detect Mislabeling in the Meat Industry

Sabrina Carrozzi, Grace McKenney, and Alexa Granser, mentored by Mary Musolino, Convent of the Sacred Heart

Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
An Investigation of Sausage Mislabeling in New York City Ethnic Markets

James Xu and Andrew Giordano, mentored by Ileana Rios, Trinity School

Honorable Mention
Hot Dogs, The Animal Inside: DNA Barcodes of Ten Different Hot Dog Brands

Sarafina Oh and Michael Wang, mentored by Matthew Wallenfang, Horace Mann School

2012-13 Symposium

Thanks to all of the teams who submitted proposals, performed experiments, and presented project results at the poster sessions held at the American Museum of Natural History on May 29, 2013. Six teams were selected to give oral presentations and compete for the grand prize at the UBP Symposium Award Ceremony on June 5, 2013 at AMNH. Funded by Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

At a glance:
  • 41 teams competing
  • 113 students from 19 high schools
  • 20 mentors from 14 institutions
Taxonomic group studied:
  • 54% animals
  • 41% plants
  • 5% fungi

More than 1,100 sequences, from approximately 600 samples. 15 samples per team on average

Keynote & Finalist Presentations

  • Welcome:
    [00:00:00] David Micklos
  • Award Ceremony Remarks:
    [00:06:40] Keynote – George Amato, Ph.D.
  • Finalist Presentations:
    [00:30:20] Birds Nest Soup
    [00:42:50] Barcoding Snapping Turtles
    [00:55:00] Allergy Causing Plants
    [01:06:25] Pipefish in New York
    [01:17:15] Ant Biodiversity
    [01:28:50] Terrestrial Plant Bio-Indicators

Presentation of Awards

Judges:

  • George Amato, Ph.D.
    Director, Sackler Institute of Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History
  • David Micklos
    Executive Director, DNA Learning Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
  • Susan Perkins, Ph.D.
    Curator, American Museum of Natural History

Finalists

Grand Prize Winners
Using DNA Barcodes to Identify Ant Biodiversity in St. Mary’s Park, Bronx, New York

Hillary Ramirez and Kavita Bhikhi, mentored by Allison Granberry, Hostos-Lincoln Academy

Second Prize Winner
A Study of the Primary Ingredient in Birds Nest Soup, Aerodramus fuciphagus

Justin He and Eric Chen, mentored by Ileana Rios, Trinity School

Third Prize Winners
Using Terrestrial Plant Bio-Indicators to Diagnose the Health of New York City

Victoria Majarali and Simranpreet Kanith, mentored by Kelly Lovelett, Brooklyn Technical High School

Honorable Mention
Pipefish in New York

Isaac Burg, Bard High School Early College Manhattan; Sophie Dornbaum, Brooklyn Technical High School; and Valerie Shoates, the Brearley School; mentored by Noah Burg, City University of New York, and Nuala Caomhánach, University College Dublin and AMNH

Honorable Mention
No More Itching and No More Ditching: Using DNA Barcoding to Identify Allergy Causing Plants

Faygie Feiner, Michal Leibowitz, Miriam Rosen, and Mindy Schwartz, mentored by Shulamith Biderman, Yeshiva University High School for Girls

Honorable Mention
DNA Barcoding Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) and Their Leech Parasites at Staten Island Parks

Kevin Lin and Akash Vaidya, mentored by Eugenia Naro-Maciel and Jenna Pantophlet, Staten Island Technical High School and the College of Staten Island, CUNY

2011-12 Symposium

Thanks to all of the teams who submitted proposals, performed experiments, and presented project results at the poster sessions held at the American Museum of Natural History on May 31 and June 1, 2012. Ten finalist teams presented projects at the Symposium on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. Funded by Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

At a glance:

  • 75 teams competing
  • 218 students from 31 high schools, 23 public and 8 private
  • 38 mentors from 29 institutions

Taxonomic group studied:

  • 56% animals
  • 36% plants
  • 7% fungi
  • 1% multiorganisms

More than 2,500 sequences, from approximately 1,000 samples. 15 samples per team on average

Award Ceremony Remarks

Rob DeSalle, Ph.D.

Curator, American Museum of Natural History

Rob DeSalle welcomes the student finalists and congratulates them on the importance of their projects to wildlife conservation.

Jesse H. Ausubel

Vice President, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Jesse H. Ausubel describes the history of DNA barcoding and congratulates the student teams on the diversity of their projects.

Bruce W. Stillman, Ph.D.

President, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Bruce W. Stillman describes the history of the DNA Learning Center, and the unique experience provided by the Urban Barcode Project

Finalists

Grand Prize Winners
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Using Barcodes to Identify the Content of Ginkgo Products

Bobby Glover, Mary Acheampong, and Marisa VanBrakle, mentored by Allison Granberry Hostos-Lincoln Academy of Science in the Bronx

Second Prize Winners
The Fungus amungus: DNA barcode-based survey of fungal biodiversity in Central Park

Tyler Bell, Elias Strizower, Sarah Sutto-Plunz, and Philip To, mentored by Marisa Wagner, The Bronx High School of Science

Second Prize Winners
What species are sold as "catfish" in New York City?

Jalwa Afroz, Townsend Harris High School; with Wajiha Kazmi and Janki Tailor, Queens High School for the Sciences at York College; mentored by Elizabeth Alter, CUNY York College

Third Prize Winners
Assessing Genetic Differences Among Atlantic Silversides (Menidia menidia) in New York

Caitlin Bauer, The Beacon School with Samantha Eng and Kadeem Walsh, Brooklyn Technical High School; mentored by Noah Burg, The American Museum of Natural History

Third Prize Winners
Assessing the Identification, Distribution, and Diversity of Killifish in the Genus Fundulus in New York City Coastal Waters

Jeffrey Lin, Staten Island Technical High School, and Michelle Yu, The Bronx High School of Science, mentored by Noah Burg, The American Museum of Natural History

Fourth Prize Winners
Barcoding Cimex lectularius

Era Lame and Nuttha Siriwatanakul mentored by Marissa Bellino, High School for Environmental Studies

Fourth Prize Winners
Fruit Express: DNA Barcodes of Melons and Pears in Different Neighborhoods in NYC

Alissa Borshchenko, Jia Ling Chen, Lai Yee Kwan, and Whitney Lai, mentored by Kelly Lovelett, Brooklyn Technical High School

Fourth Prize Winners
A Sea of Names: The Confusion Surrounding the Common Names of Fish

Ariela Farnham and August Zuzworsky, mentored by John Zuzworsky, Home-schooled students

Fourth Prize Winners
South Bronx Ants: DNA Barcodes of Ants in St. Mary’s Park

Kavita Bhikhi, Lachoy Harris, Randol Mata, and Hillary Ramirez, mentored by Allison Granberry, Hostos-Lincoln Academy of Science

Honorable Mention
DNA Barcoding Exotic Agricultural Pests Seized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Robyn Tse, Massapequa High School, mentored by Mark Stoeckle, Ph.D., The Rockefeller University