Adding yet another feather in his cap, senior Jake Drobner has won a Rising Scientist Award from the Child Mind Institute, an organization founded in 2009 that "is dedicated to transforming mental health care for children everywhere." The award, which is given to 10 New York City-area 11th or 12th grade students annually each fall, recognizes these juniors and seniors "who demonstrate exceptional promise in science."

In her nomination form, Science Department Chair Jessica Leiken, who first taught Jake in her AP Physics class, cites Jake to be "a top scholar" whose "teachers love having him in class and speak with great enthusiasm about his intellect and motivation." As nominees' student leadership is considered in addition to achievement in science studies, Leiken also mentions how involved Jake is in community building, from student government to the student-faculty committee, to being a SAGE leader: "Jake is very interested in working with younger students and helping them grow socially and intellectually... He is a crusader for smart choices."

Jake and the nine other recipients of this year's Rising Scientist Award were recognized at the Institute's On the Shoulders of Giants scientific symposium on Oct. 22nd, where they met with the 2012 Child Mind Institute Distinguished Scientist Nobel Laureate Dr. Eric Kandel, with whom they are pictured here (Jake is in the front row, third from left; Dr. Kandel is in the back row, third from left).

For more information about the Child Mind Institute, visit childmind.org.

[Photo credit: Ann Billingsley Photography for Child Mind Institute]