On January 29, 2003, Intel Corporation recognized the next generation of scientists with the selection of 40 high school seniors as finalists in the Intel Science Talent Search (STS), America's oldest and most prestigious science competition. The finalists will compete in Washington, D.C., March 6-11. The top prize is a $100,000 college scholarship. Five Chinese-American students were selected among the 40 finalists. They are:
Connecticut
Alexander Chow Mittal of Cos Cob (Greenwich High School).
Nanoconstruction with Self-assembling DNA-PNA Complexes. Mittal entered the Intel Science Talent Search with a chemistry project that examined the use of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) in combination with DNA to create unique double-crossover structures that could one day be used as scaffolding to create molecular-scale electronic circuits. Current research into the use of self-assembling DNA tiles to assemble nanoscale (10-9 m) computer circuits faces major challenges. From his cancer research Alex knew that PNA, an artificial mimic of DNA, was extremely stable. He hypothesized that a DNA-PNA architecture would stabilize the structure and could be used to form the scaffolding arrays. In his study, he successfully designed and formed a stable PNA-DNA molecule, which he believes will be ideal for manipulating nanoscale particles. Alex is co-editor of the paper and cross country team captain at Greenwich High School. A Red Cross volunteer, he created a tutor service: the Buddy Program. He received the 2002 Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award and attended the Nobel ceremony in Stockholm.
New York
Yee, Alison Kimberly of Armonk (Byram Hills High School)
Apoptosis of Protozoan Oyster Pathogen ( Perkinsus marinus) in vivo and in vitro. Yee submitted a project to the Intel Science Talent Search in zoology investigating an oyster-attacking parasite, Perkinsus marinus, to determine if water temperature and salinity induce, in the infected oyster, apoptosis-programmed cell death-to eliminate P. marinus and restrict its transmission. Alison's study of the pathogen in vivo and in vitro finds a significant difference in the parasite's intensity in oysters from Long Island Sound versus those from Chesapeake Bay. Oysters in Long Island Sound seem more resistant to the parasite than those in the Chesapeake Bay, and she hypothesizes that apoptosis may control the disease's progression. She concludes that P. marinus cell cultures from the two sites may be different genetic isolates. She hopes her research will increase understanding of the oyster's immune system and that eventually oyster populations will be restored.
Zhang, Yi-Chen of Forest Hills (The Bronx High School of Science)
Sub-lethal Exposure of German Cockroaches to Pesticides Contributes to Increased
Expressionof Bla g 2, a Cockroach Allergen Associated with Inner City Asthma. Zhang
submitted to the Intel Science Talent Search a medicine and health project examining the influence
of pesticides on cockroach allergens associated with respiratory disorders such as asthma. In
working with a research team at the Columbia University School of Public Health, Yi-Chen
("Lilly") maintained experimental colonies of German cockroaches, which she exposed to non-lethal doses of boric acid and hydramethylnon gel pesticides. She used immunological assays and
statistical analyses to measure fecal allergen concentration, and concluded that cockroach
ingestion of low concentrations of boric acid pesticides increased their production of a major
allergen, while ingestion of the other pesticide did not. Lilly was the first author of an abstract of
this study, which she presented at the 2002 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and
Immunology conference.
North Carolina
Su, Edward Joseph of Gary (William G. Enloe High School) Electron-Phonon Interactions in Carbon Nanotubes. Su submitted a physics project to the Intel Science Talent Search that studies a fundamental physical property of carbon nanotubes-sheets of graphite rolled into cylinders nanometers wide. Ed's work investigates the interaction between electrons and vibrational energy known as phonons in single-walled carbon nanotubes. These nanotubes have unique electronic and mechanical properties that make them ideal materials for constructing extremely small electronic devices, causing some researchers to believe they will replace the semiconductor industry's silicon-based electronics in the future. First in his class at William G. Enloe High School in Raleigh, Ed earned a perfect 1600 on the SATs and has received awards in debate, music and science.
Oregon
Li, Tianhui of Portland (Oregon Episcopal School) Inertial-Electrostatic Confinement Fusion:
Tianhui "Michael" Li submitted a physics entry to the Intel Science Talent Search based on his three-year study of inertial-electrostatic confinement (IEC), a radically different and significantly less costly way of confining nuclear fusion than conventional methods. Michael had already built two IEC reactors prior to the most recent phase of his research, which was conducted at the Propulsion Research Laboratory of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. As a student volunteer, he worked on developing a proton detection system and collimator-a device for producing a parallel beam of radiation. At the Oregon Episcopal School, Michael founded the school's DOE Science Bowl team and a geopolitical club focused on world affairs. He is the author of award-winning essays for competitions sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace and the World Affairs Council, and a recipient of the Young Artists Concerto Competition