Central San Recognizes Two Student Scientists

Two students from central Contra Costa were the recipients of the Excellence in Water Research award presented at the May 16 Central Contra Costa Sanitary District’s Board meeting. Ann Marie Delauriers of Walnut Creek and Brett Musacchio of Concord each received a monetary prize, as did their teachers. The Excellence in Water Research Award, created by 11 Contra Costa water and wastewater agencies, recognizes outstanding science and engineering projects in the field of water, wastewater or recycled water research. Judges from the sponsoring agencies made the awards at the annual Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair in late March. Ann Marie Deslauriers, an 8th grader at North Creek Academy in Walnut Creek, took First Place and a $400 prize in the Junior Division for her project, “Levees: Keeping Our Neighborhoods Safe.” Her teacher is Robin Swann. Brett Musacchio, a sophomore at Concord’s De La Salle High School, took Second Place and a $300 prize in the Senior Division for his project, “The Effects of Mercury on E.Coli.” He was inspired to do this research because of an aunt who had been paralyzed due to mercury poisoning. His project sponsor was Adam Jew. Central Contra Costa Sanitary District Board President James Nejedly noted that, “More than ever, we must depend on science and engineering to create a sustainable water supply, while protecting public health and the environment. Today’s students are tomorrow’s scientists and engineers who will meet these challenges.”