Fox Lane senior is an artist and recognized research scientist

Leah Friedman recently won the Teatown Young Environmentalist Award at the Regeneron Westchester Science & Engineering Fair for her research on bats in northern Westchester. It is given to outstanding student research projects aimed at protecting natural habitats and ecosystems. 

Fox Lane senior Leah Friedman is proof that exploring interests in different areas can have a major pay off. A talented artist, Leah intends to study art and design next year in college. She takes AP art classes, has been featured in many art exhibits at the high school and has done live demonstrations of working on a pottery wheel during events. Leah is also an accomplished science researcher, placing in multiple competitions for her work on bats in northern Westchester.

If Leah had stuck strictly to her love of art and didn’t dig into science research, she would have missed out on some incredible experiences, like placing second in Animal Science at the Invitational Symposium at the University at Albany or the Teatown Young Environmentalist Award.

We spoke to her about her research and where art and science fit into her life:

Can you describe your project?

I collected ultrasonic surveys of bat calls from September 5, 2025 to September 25, 2025, at four geographic locations: Kitchawan Preserve for a lake location, Leonard Park for an urban location, and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation for two locations: forest and swamp. I was testing to see if a) bat species’ presence at each location would be dependent on that location, if b) bats would prefer forest and lake settings over swamp and urban settings, and if c) little brown bats, tricolored bats, and northern bats would have a difference in abundance with the other six species of New York bats.

My first and third hypotheses were supported with p-values (the probability of obtaining test results at least as extreme as the result actually observed) of .0001(which is really good!) and .00676 respectively. My second hypothesis was rejected with a p-value of .35238. Any p-value less than .05 is statistically significant.

I only started in September because I took the entire summer to get permits from Westchester County Parks to be allowed in the parks after closing time, as I would be conducting research starting 30 minutes before sunset, ending two hours after sunset.

What led you to this study?

I studied bats because they are very important for the environment for a number of reasons (nutrient cycling, insect control, seed dispersal, and pollination, to name a few), and they have been on a massive (90%) decline in the last 15 years. Also, I wanted to collect my own data in the field, and I was most interested in using sound data. Bats are the most local species that use sound data that I could realistically study.

What was your research process like?

I had a really amazing time conducting my research. I love bats, and I loved going out every night, despite how tiring it got. I think collecting my data was my favorite part of the whole study.

How could your research benefit society in the long term?

My research specifically benefits bat population knowledge and conservation efforts in Westchester, since mine is one of the only studies done on bats in the area. Benefiting bats also benefits society, because we also rely on everything they bring to the environment for survival.

What was presenting at the symposium like? How did you feel when you took second place in Animal Science?

Presenting at the UAlbany Symposium was an amazing opportunity that I will forever be grateful for. Mrs. Bravo really pushed me to be my best self leading up to it. I’m so appreciative that she pushed me to compete, because it was extremely fun to meet so many new people and see so many cool projects that I normally wouldn’t be able to see. 

Not to sound overconfident, but I knew going into UAlbany that I would win something. Getting second place was super cool, and I’m overjoyed to have placed! Hearing them call Fox Lane was a beautiful moment, and once they called my name it was almost surreal. 

Additionally, at last weekend’s WESEF (Westchester Science and Engineering Fair) competition, I was lucky enough to place again and win the Teatown Young Environmentalist Award for my work at Kitchawan Preserve. These achievements couldn’t have been accomplished without my friends, my wonderful mom, Mrs. Bravo, Mr. Bond, and my amazing mentor Dr. Jonathan Townsend.

You are also a talented artist. What are some of your favorite media?

I mainly work in ceramics right now, as I’m currently preparing for the AP art show on April 9. I also like to paint sometimes, but clay is my main medium.

Do you think there are any connections between art and science that draw you to both? 

Honestly art and science are very separate parts of my life. Art is really my future, as I’m going to Alfred University next year for art and design, whereas I just do science for fun. If I had the chance, I would love to study the chemistry and science behind ceramics, specifically the glazes (which are basically a bunch of chemicals crushed into powder and mixed with water).

I would love to continue science in the future, but I’m not sure where it will fit in my future. However, any chance I get I will probably come back to it.

Anything else?

I do have a little message for students at Fox Lane, especially underclassmen: You should work hard to be well rounded and try out many different interests because you can pursue anything you want — the only limit to your success is your mind.

This feature was provided by the Bedford Central School District.