He has applied to colleges including Yale, Brown and Dartmouth, and said he plans to study molecular biology.

Both Wang and East Meadow High will receive a $1,000 reward from the Society for Science & the Public. “I’m probably just going to use it to save for college,” he said.

EMHS Principal Richard Howard said that the recognition is rewarding because of the extra effort the school put into the Intel competition, led by teachers Ginna Gabalski, Frank Cacciutto, Sandra Polan and Barbara Lucia. “It’s nice to know that we’re accomplishing something,” Howard said. “You put some hard work into it and you get something out of it.”

Gabalski, who teaches research and physics, advised Wang over the summer, offering recommendations and input to his laboratory work by way of email. “He’s an extremely hard worker who deserves this wonderful honor …,” she said, adding how impressive it is that a high school student “can study such a difficult topic, and actually be able to understand it, read about it, do the statistical analysis, and be able to present and have such a deep understanding of what his results mean.”

“We’re just proud of him,” Howard added. “He represents East Meadow. He makes this place a better place — that’s the bottom line.”