Cameron Sandell Named Top 300 Scholar in the Regeneron Science Talent Search
Do you ever dream and know that you are dreaming? That phenomenon, called lucid dreaming, may have potential benefits, says John Jay’s Science Research Senior Cami Sandell.
Her Science Research project: Can People Intentionally Wake Up from Sleep, under the mentorship of Dr. Remington Mallett, a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern University’s Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, resulted in her being named a Top 300 Scholar in the Regeneron Science Talent Search.
The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The competition is owned and produced by Society for Science.
"Cami has had the support of dedicated teachers in John Jay's Science program in addition to her own dedication and quest for excellence," said Principal Steven Siciliano. "JJHS is incredibly proud of her and her achievement!"
"We are so proud of Cami and her work," said Ann Marie Lipinsky, Science Research teacher. "It is an achievement to be one of the 1,949 students nationwide who qualified for the Regneron Science Talent Search. Cami's deep interest in lucid dreaming, her creativity in designing and completing her project, and her outstanding commitment to her work all contributed to her success in being named one of the top 300 scholars."
“Developing the ability to intentionally wake up from sleep could be particularly helpful for someone with PTSD who relives a traumatic experience in their dreams,” said Cami. “If people are able to wake themselves up, they have more control and wouldn’t be afraid of going to sleep.”
She conducted an at-home study where participants were instructed to go to sleep, become lucid, and then complete an assigned task.
Looking towards the future, Cami would like to continue this line of research and see how other scientists are connecting the psychological and physiological aspects of sleep. This year, Cami is the President of John Jay’s Red Cross Club and participates in Students for KEEP and Science Olympiad.