Maddux Springer, a senior at ʻIolani School, has won an award for his research on the correlation between high levels of wastewater and fatal tumors in green sea turtles in Kāneʻohe Bay. His study focused on the association between wastewater and fibropapillomatosis in green sea turtles, tracing a pathway from wastewater to algae, invasive algae, higher levels of arginine in tissue, and ultimately consumed by the turtles.
Maddux Springer’s research earned him the Peggy Scripps Award for Science Communication at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles. Additionally, he secured first place in the animal science category, beating nearly 2,000 other global entries. The interview featuring Maddux Springer aired on The Conversation on May 29, 2024.
Springer is set to graduate on Saturday with $10,000 in his pocket. He hopes to use this money to share his findings with Gov. Josh Green and raise awareness of the environmental impact on green sea turtles. With a desire to continue his academic and research interests, he will be attending the University of Oregon.
