Yin Li
Stuyvesant High School, New York, NY
Middle States Regional Silver Medal Winner
- $3,000 Scholarship
National Gold Medal Winner
- $100,000 Scholarship
" Characterizing the Properties of a Translational Regulator Expressed in Mouse Brain"
Yin Li's project seeks to understand memory in the brain. He is studying a class of proteins that might control the capacity of nerve cells to undergo local protein synthesis. It is believed that such a mechanism underlies learning and memory. Research in this area suggests the exciting possibility that local protein synthesis in nerve cells may have physiological functions.
Mr. Li, a senior, is fluent in Chinese. He enjoys reading, gardening, and swimming. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Science Olympiad and has participated in the DuPont Challenge Science Essay contest, the NYC Science and Engineering Fair and the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. He plans to study neurobiology and molecular biology in college toward the goal of becoming a neurologist.
Macomb High School,
Macomb, IL
Midwestern Regional Silver
Medal Winner
- $3,000 Scholarship
National Gold Medal Winner
- $50,000 Scholarship
" Synthesis and Oxidative Transformations Using Novel Water-Soluble Hypervalent Iodine Reagents"
Arun Thottumkara's project could lead to safer, environmentally cleaner ways to produce chemical compounds found in products people use everyday. Inspired by the growing demand for eco-friendly chemical processes, Mr. Thottumkara's research merges traditional synthetic organic chemistry with green chemistry, a new field of chemistry that seeks to provide environmentally friendly chemical processes and reagents. In his project, he has synthesized two new oxidizing agents that are soluble in aqueous media such that reactions using these reagents can be done in water - the most environmentally friendly solvent of all.
Part of Mr. Thottumkara's research has been published in Tetrahedron Letters, a peer-reviewed chemical journal. He has also presented his research at the 35th, 36th, 37th, and 38th American Chemical Society Regional Conferences and at the 222nd National American Chemical Society Meeting in Chicago.
Mr. Thottumkara, a senior, is fluent in Malayalam and enjoys tennis, running, and cooking. He is the 2003 National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Champion in Chemistry and has won several awards at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fairs, as well as the first place American Chemical Society award for chemistry. Mr. Thottumkara, 17, plans to study chemistry or bio-chemistry in college and hopes for a career as a university professor conducting chemical research.
Maggie Walker Governor's School, Richmond, VA
Southern Regional Silver
Medal Winner
- $3,000 Scholarship
National Gold Medal Winner
- $40,000 Scholarship
" Investigations of the Number Derivative"
Linda Westrick's project investigates a mathematical function called number derivative, which, by definition, is closely linked with the prime numbers and calculus. During her research, she found that the number derivative produces many surprising and beautiful patterns. She developed her project out of love for pure mathematics for its own sake. Ms. Westrick, a senior, is fluent in German and plays the piano. She enjoys soccer, weight lifting and swing dancing and is a member of F.I.R.S.T. Robotics. Ms. Westrick, 17, plans to continue studying mathematics in college and intends to become a professor of pure math.
North Attleboro High School,
North Attleboro, MA
New England Regional
Silver Medal Winner
- $3,000 Scholarship
National Gold Medal Winner
- $30,000 Scholarship
" An Efficient, Functional Telomerase Activity Assay"
Mason Hedberg has created an assay that detects potential new drug compounds that can be used to fight cancer without the usual severe side effects of today's chemotherapy and radiation protocols. Mr. Hedberg's assay is easily automated to allow efficient screening of large libraries of potential small-molecule compounds, which can serve as important leads in new drug development. Mr. Hedberg has filed two provisional patent applications: one for the new screening process itself and one for the process he developed to perform his project.
Mr. Hedberg, a senior, plays both piano and trumpet. He enjoys competitive swimming, photography, travel, camping and restoring cars. He is a member of the "Exciting Elementary Science" Enrichment Program, National Honor Society, New England Math League and the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Junior Academy of Science. Mr. Hedberg plans to continue his study of molecular biology in college toward the goal of becoming a physician-scientist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
Health Careers High
School, San Antonio, TX
Southwestern Regional
Silver Medal Winner
- $3,000 Scholarship
National Gold Medal Winner
- $20,000 Scholarship
" Optimization of Biomimetic Osteoblast Response on Phospholipid-Modified Implant Surface for Bone Regeneration"
Arpan Satsangi's research addresses the need to produce bone and dental implants that are both more biocompatible and patient friendly. Today, a significant number of metallic bone implants fail due to lack of host tissue attachments. Mr. Satsangi's project attempts to coat the implant materials with natural, bone growth-accelerating substances so that the surface of the implants becomes more compatible to host tissue and biomimetically enhances the biomineralization and osteogenic activities. Mr. Satsangi has published two research papers in peer reviewed international journals. His research has also received funding from NIH and NSF.
Mr. Satsangi, a senior, has taken top honors in the Annual National Sigma Xi Student Research Conference and Competition 2002 in the Biological and Natural Science Division and the 2003 Texas State Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in the Natural Science Division. He is a member of the National Honors Society, American Association for Dental Research, and Health Occupations Students of America. He is also president of his school's science and engineering club and is fluent in Hindi. Mr. Satsangi plans to become a PhD/MD Physician and Researcher.
Troy High School, Fullerton, CA
Western Regional Silver
Medal Winner
- $3,000 Scholarship
National Gold Medal Winner
- $10,000 Scholarship
" Theoretical Mechanisms and Kinetics for the Reaction of Dimethyl Sulfide and Ozone in Water Vapor"
Angela Shih's project in atmospheric chemistry models the influences of water molecules on the reaction between dimethyl sulfide and ozone through a series of reactant-water complexes. Her research was inspired by an article stating that theoretical models of the atmosphere fail to account for field measurements of DMS oxidation products. She had heard that the reaction of these products with ozone could be significant in explaining why, and decided to study it. Ms. Shih found that because the reaction goes so much faster in water vapor, products can affect the global climate by reducing the amount of incoming solar radiation and by acting as cloud condensation nuclei, resulting in greater cloud cover.
Ms. Shih, a senior, is fluent in Chinese and aspires to become a physician. She plays the violin and piano and is a member of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra. Ms. Shih has participated in the American Computer Science League International Tournament and National Science Olympiad, where she was a member of the 2003 National Champions team.
Jeffrey Schneider and
Mark Schneider
South Windsor High School,
South Windsor, CT
New England Regional
Silver Medal Winners
- $3,000 Scholarship
National Gold Medal Winners
- $100,000 Scholarship
" Simulation of the West Nile Virus using STELLA 7.02"
Mark and Jeffrey Schneider's project may help in identifying potential ways to reduce the spread of West Nile Virus and predicting the timing of peak infection season. The brothers developed an analytical model describing the transmission of the West Nile Virus in order to evaluate the factors affecting the propagation of the virus and to establish the effectiveness of various virus control strategies. The team's interest in understanding and controlling West Nile Virus was motivated, in part, by their high susceptibility to mosquito bites.
Mark Schneider, a senior, plays the piano and enjoys art, writing, reading and baseball. He took top honors in the 2000 Connecticut State Science Fair for research he conducted on the effect of various genres of music on the special temporary reasoning ability of the brain. He is a member of the United Synagogue Youth, and is active in his school's Model United Nations Club, Latin Club and Drama Club. Mr. Schneider plans to study political science and psychology in college and hopes to become a college professor.
Jeffrey Schneider, a sophomore, plays the piano and enjoys chess, baseball and tennis. He also enjoys designing Web sites. He is a member of the United Synagogue Youth, the Math Team, Model United Nations, Latin Club and Drama Club. He plans to continue studying the sciences and aspires to become a doctor.
Jericho High School, Jericho, NY
Middle States Regional
Silver Medal Winners
- $3,000 Scholarship
National Gold Medal Winners
- $50,000 Scholarship
" Using Nanoparticles to Enhance the Polymer Properties for Improved Commercial Applications: Space Lubricants to Nanolithography"
Jeffrey Reitman and Sean Mehra's research may lead to an optimal nanocomposite space lubricant that may make future space machinery safer and more efficient in microgravity. It also has the potential for making smaller computer chips and circuits via nanocomposite polymer masks in nanolithography. During their research, they tested for positive effects that various nanoparticles (particles on the scale of nanometers) may have on everyday industrial polymers for use as space lubricants or in computer chip manufacturing via lithographic masks. They showed that, when mixed with polymer chains, nanoparticles enhance polymer properties such as evaporation rates, viscosities and glass transition temperatures. Additionally, they also created a theoretical model that relates this change to the size and shape of the nanoparticles. The team's work pushes polymers beyond their current limits for improved commercial applications in space and computers.
Jeffrey Reitman, a senior, enjoys fencing for the Jericho varsity team and playing Varsity volleyball. He was sponsored by the American Associations for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as a United States Ambassador for the 3rd Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Youth Science Festival hosted in Beijing, China. He was selected as one of 20 students nationally to represent the U.S. to participating Asian nations (his partner, Sean, also received the same honor). He is president of Future Business Leaders of America and a member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. Mr. Reitman plans to study biology and physics in college and would like to become an engineer or doctor.
Sean Mehra, a senior, is a talented linguist, fluent in Hindi, Punjabi and French. He enjoys reading science magazines, designing Web sites, playing chess, digital photography and image editing. Mr. Mehra was the first place National Winner in the Toshiba/NSTA Exploravision Awards Program and was awarded top honors at the Shipley Invitational Science Fair. He was selected as one of 20 students nationally to represent the U.S. to participating Asian nations (his partner, Jeffery, also received the same honor). He plans to become a scientist when he completes college.
North Carolina School of
Science and Mathematics, Durham, NC
Southern States Regional
Silver Medal Winners
- $3,000 Scholarship
National Gold Medal Winners
- $40,000 Scholarship
" Discovery of an Active Galaxy Near 3C397"
Andrew Foster and Ivana Vu's astrophysics project identifies the presence of a previously undiscovered active galaxy. While viewing an image of the supernova remnant 3C397, the team noticed an unexpected object just outside of the remnant. Compelled to investigate further, the team used modern X-Ray imaging, spectroscopy and astrophysics to identify the object as a Seyfert II galaxy. From their initial detection of a few stray photons, the team ultimately deduced the existence of billions of stars.
Mr. Foster, a senior, enjoys writing, reading and skating. He also plays and writes music for the guitar and bass. Mr. Foster, 17, volunteers his time at the Matthews Help Center and tutors elementary school children. He plans to continue studying astrophysics in college and to work with physics in a research or educational setting.
Ms. Vu, a senior, is fluent in Vietnamese and enjoys swimming, running, camping, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing and snowboarding. She is the photography editor of her school yearbook, the senior representative for the student government association and president of the outdoors club. Ms. Vu, 17, plans to study marine biology in college in hopes of becoming a marine biologist.
Herbert Henry Dow High School, Midland, MI
Jason P. Becker
Wellington C. Mepham High School,
Bellmore, NY
Western Regional Silver
Medal Winners
- $3,000 Scholarship
National Gold Medal Winners
- $30,000 Scholarship
" Synthesis, Deuterium Replacement, and Hydrogenation of the Compound HN(CH2CH2NHCOPh)2 "
Ishan Roy and Jason Becker's project focuses on an area of green chemistry (environmentally-based chemistry) to study hydrogenation. Hydrogenation of amino acids to amino alcohols is an extremely valuable process in areas such as the pharmaceutical industry. As opposed to strenuous and expensive pathways involving metal ions and extreme pH levels, hydrogenation is a much cleaner and more efficient process for creating the same products. Their study took a closer look at this process. Specifically, their project was a comparative study on the reactivity and hydrogen/deuterium replacement rate of different functional groups within a given compound, which they synthesized.
Mr. Roy, a senior, is an avid tennis and chess player and enjoys listening to music from a variety of genres. He is a member of the National Honors Society, American Red Cross, Bengali Association of Midland and Voluntary Action Center of Midland. He is also a member of the Dow High School Key Club, Math Club and Literary Club. Mr. Roy plans to continue his studies in biochemistry in college to achieve his goal of becoming an MD/PhD working in clinical research at a top medical school.
Mr. Becker, a junior, is an avid music lover, who plays guitar and sings in a band called "The Fade." He is also a member of the Jazz Band and Volleyball teams. He has participated in the Dupont Essay Contest and National Science Olympiad. He hopes to further his studies in organic chemistry in college.
Appleton East High School, Appleton, WI
Midwestern Regional Silver
Medal Winners
- $3,000 Scholarship
National Gold Medal Winners
- $20,000 Scholarship
" Somatic Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation assays in Zea Mays (maize) for optimization of in planta transformation"
Laurel Benson and Alexander Yuen's research developed a process to optimize the genetic alteration of corn. Their results may help increase the nutritional value of corn. In addition, their project has the potential to enhance crop yields by creating disease and pest resistant plants and providing a mechanism to deliver medicines through widely used food staples.
Ms. Benson, a senior, plays the cello in her school orchestra and enjoys soccer, tennis, running, and weightlifting. She is a member of the National Honor Society and volunteers at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Ms. Benson, 17, plans to study biology in college and to pursue a career in medicine.
Mr. Yuen, a senior, plays the clarinet in his church orchestra and is fluent in French. He enjoys tennis, chess, and running and volunteers at a local homeless shelter and nursing home. He has participated in the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth Young Scholars and is a member of the National Honor Society and Quiz Bowl (school captain). Mr. Yuen, 17, plans to continue his study of genetics in college and hopes to become a doctor of clinical genetics.
Mr. Becker, a junior, is an avid music lover, who plays guitar and sings in a band called "The Fade." He is also a member of the Jazz Band and Volleyball teams. He has participated in the Dupont Essay Contest and National Science Olympiad. He hopes to further his studies in organic chemistry in college.
Harlandale Sr. High School,
San Antonio, TX
Yiduo "David" Wang
Lincoln High School,
Portland, OR
Hannah Chung
Lyndon B. Johnson, Austin, TX
Southwestern Regional
Silver Medal Winners
- $3,000 Scholarship
National Gold Medal Winners
- $10,000 Scholarship
" Eccentric Graphs of Block Graphs and Trees"
Araceli Fernandez, Yiduo "David" Wang, and Hannah Chung's team project contributes innovative conceptual ideas to the field of graph theory, an area of mathematics with a wide range of applications in computer science, architecture, economics, encryption, operations research, and networking. It is also a relatively new area of mathematics. Their research lays out the theoretical groundwork for investigations into a relatively novel concept in graph theory: that of the eccentric graph, the result of a type of operation that can be applied to a graph.
The project consists of mathematical proofs exploring the structure and properties of eccentric graphs that can be constructed from block graphs and trees, two related classes of graphs. The team began their research at the Mathworks Honors Summer Math Camp at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.
Ms. Fernandez, a senior, is fluent in Spanish. She is the president of the National Honor Society and a member of the Junior Engineering Technology Society. She is also captain of her varsity soccer team and runs cross country. She plans to study engineering in college in hopes of becoming a civil engineer.
Mr. Wang, a senior, is fluent in Mandarin and is a member of the Speech and Debate Team, Model UN, Mandelbrot Mathematics Team, British Comedy Club and the Student Body Executive Council. He enjoys computer programming, Web design and reading. His favorite subjects are chemistry, mathematics and English.
Ms. Chung, a junior, was a Southwestern Regional Finalist in the 2002-03 Siemens Competition. She has also competed in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, Science Olympiad, American Regions Math League (ARML), TxML (Texas Math League), Mandelbrot, AMC and AIME. She enjoys ultimate Frisbee, bridge, swing dancing and pole vaulting. Ms. Chung aspires to become a physician.
