#b#South Sophomore Wins Grand Prize#/b#
Ohyoon Kwon, a sophomore at High School South, won the grand prize at the Mercer Science and Engineering Fair in March and went on to win a fourth place award at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles. The fair, sponsored by Intel, brought together 1,787 top science fair winners from more than 70 countries, regions, and territories.
Kwon’s project, “A New Direction for the Molecular Genetics of an Autistic Disorder,” earned her a $500 prize. Kwon’s research investigated how the MeCP2 protein affects the expression of the L1 molecule, and hence the appearance of the Rett syndrome, a devastating neurological disorder related to autism. It prevents proper development of the brain, causing muscular weakness, movement disorders and inhibited verbal development. The results could be significant in understanding and eventually treating this disease.
#b#Chemistry Whiz#/b#
Andrew Chen of Plainsboro has qualified to compete for one of four spots on the U.S. team bound for the 46th International Chemistry Olympiad to be held this year at the Hanoi University of Science in Vietnam, July 20 to 29.
Chen, a junior at High School South, will spend two weeks at an intensive chemistry study camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, and at the conclusion, the top four students will be named as members of the team.
The competition to be part of the international event is fierce, beginning with a multiple-choice exam taken by nearly 16,000 high school students in the U.S. Chen’s performance on this exam earned him the opportunity to take the National Chemistry Olympiad test. Out of more than 1,000 of the nation’s brightest chemistry students who took the national test, he advanced to the top 20, and next he will attend the study camp June 3 to 18.
During the camp, Chen will receive college and graduate-level training, with an emphasis on organic chemistry, through a series of lectures, problem-solving exercises, lab work, and testing. At the camp’s conclusion, four students will be chosen to represent the U.S. at the International Chemistry Olympiad, where they will compete with their peers from more than 70 nations for gold, silve,r and bronze medals.
