The Intel ISEF fair is the world's largest pre-college celebration of science. Now more than 50 years old, this fair is the world's only science project competition for students in the ninth through twelfth grades.
The 2008 fair was held in May in Atlanta, Georgia. AACC was represented by David Koch, PhD, Corinne Fantz, PhD, and Richard Mullins, PhD, all members of the AACC Southeast Local Section. They served as special awards judges for the AACC-sponsored awards. AACC extends a hearty thank you to these individuals for volunteering their time for this event (see judges’ quotes below).
These awards were funded by a generous gift from Genzyme to the Van Slyke Foundation, which enables the prizes to be as follows: first, second and third place prizes of $1,500, $1,000 and $500, respectively, and two Honorable Mention prizes at $250 each.
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Top Row: Marc Ganz, David Koch, PhD, and Jared Sholato.
Bottom Row: Aarthi Shankar, Shivani Sud, and Shirin Bajaj
(not pictured: Kaley White) |
First Place
“The Application of Potentiometric Response to the Development of a Biosensor for Anthrax-causing Bacillus anthracis Spores”—Shirin Bajaj, 17, Syosset High School, Syossett, New York
Second Place
“Genomic Strategy to Refine Prognosis and Treatment of Early Stage Colon Cancer”—Shivani Sud, 17, Charles E. Jordan Senior High School, Durham, North Carolina
Third Place
“Alleviating Diabetes Problems: Theoretical Treatments, Insulin Resistance, and Nanotube Devices, Year Three”—Jared D. Scholato, 17, Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School, Cocoa Beach, FL
Honarable Mentions
“Proteomic Characterization of Extracellular Matrix Using Sonication-Assisted Digestion”—Aarthi Shankar, 16, Rampart High School, Colorado Springs, CO
“Antibody Based Biosensor for the Identification of Viruses”—Kaley K. White, 18, and Marc D. Ganz, 17, Edmond North High School, Edmond, OK
Here’s what this year’s judges had to say about participating in the Intel student science fair:
“It was great to see the next generation of scientists. I see a bright future for science advancements.”—Richard Mullins, PhD
“I enjoyed seeing the presentations by the young scientists. Several were directly applicable to laboratory medicine. With AACC’s support of this science fair, some individuals are becoming aware of opportunities in lab medicine at an earlier age and this is great news for our profession.” –Corinne Fantz, PhD
“It was a great experience, and very encouraging…It was fun to talk with the finalists we interviewed and to hear them enthusiastically articulate what they did, what they are interested in, and what their future plans might be… When over 1500 students can conduct scientific projects and reach the level of this Intel Science and Engineering Fair, from all over the world, the future for science is positive.” –David Koch, Ph.D.